Former Australia batsman Michael Hussey has named James Anderson in his bowling attack while compiling a ‘Best of Enemies XI’, the only Englishman in a team that features the best of opponents he faced in Test cricket.

Featuring on cricket.com.au‘s The Unplayable Podcast, Hussey listed eleven of the best players he faced during his 79-match Test career between 2005 and 2013.

Hussey conceded that there was a toss-up between Graeme Smith and Alistair Cook for the opening partner to Virender Sehwag, but leaned towards Smith because of the South African’s ability to counter tough conditions. “Nothing against Cook, who was fantastic. Smith was a tough uncompromising player. He took the game to you. Those pitches in South Africa were not easy.

“Cook, unbelievable player as well, he was a grinder who’d just weigh you down, bat and bat for days, but Smith wanted to set the game up”.

At No.9, South African quick Morne Morkel edged out Graeme Swann in Hussey’s team. The Australian admitted that “Swann was a fantastic bowler, attacking all the time,” but went for the lanky South African bowler, who dismissed him eight times in ten Tests, the most by any bowler.

Hussey’s XI: Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith, Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Jacques Kallis, Kumar Sangakkara, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, James Anderson, Muttiah Muralitharan