The Ultimate Red-Ball XI: Built From Shirts in Stock
Thomas BackhouseIt’s something I’m always pondering when I’m sat in the office (mostly on a rainy day!). “I wonder how strong a team of players would be based purely on the shirts I currently have in stock?!”
So, it got me thinking: what’s the best team I can put together for red-ball cricket only? The only rule I’ve got to stick to is that it has to include a minimum of 4 different franchises or nations! Stops the IPL from completely dominating the shirt selection.
1 Yashasvi Jaiswal
Quite a simple pick to face up to the first ball. Jaiswal’s record in Test cricket is extremely impressive, especially having played only 31 Tests. Seven hundreds and 13 fifties at an average of 47.5 is good enough for me to make it into the team. At the moment, we have Jaiswal’s Rajasthan Royals 2026 IPL Match Issue Long Sleeve playing shirt in stock. A very interesting shirt with bright colours, albeit a little bit on the pricey side!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/yashasvi-jaiswal-rajasthan-royals-2026-ipl-match-issue-ls-playing-shirt
2 David Warner
Now, I’ve put my international allegiances aside here, and it became a relatively simple and easy decision. David Warner spent his international career being known as one of the most destructive Test openers. Known for his aggressive approach and ability to put the pressure back on the bowlers, he’s another solid addition to the side! Especially with the 26 hundreds he brings and a high score of 335*. At the moment, we have David Warner’s Seattle Orcas MLC Long and Short Sleeve Shirts in stock. At a more favourable price point, hopefully!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/david-warner-seattle-orcas-2025-mlc-player-issue-ls-training-t-shirt
3 Shai Hope
Number 3 was a tough one. It was a close call with Jacob Bethell, but Shai Hope came out on top. Longevity and proven Test ability swung it in favour of the West Indian. Although his Test average is a shade over 25, I feel his ability, along with being a match-winner, as shown at Headingley in 2017, is what gives Shai the nod. In stock, we have Shai Hope’s West Indies T20 Match Worn Playing Jumper, along with the Dubai Capitals ILT20 Playing Tops too. A bit of variety, some may say!!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/shai-hope-west-indies-2025-t20-match-worn-ls-playing-jumper
4 Shubman Gill
The current India Test match captain takes the spot at number 3. In my opinion, he’s one of the most pleasing batters on the eye to watch, with a cover drive to marvel over! In the past 18 months, his game has gone from strength to strength, scoring 754 runs during the 2025 tour of England. Averaging 43, with 11 hundreds in 43 matches, he takes the number 4 spot. And he’ll be there as an out-and-out batter, no captaincy required! Currently, we have Shubman Gill’s 2026 Gujarat Titans IPL Short Sleeve Lavender playing shirt in stock, at another rather hefty price. The nature of the shirt and its rarity create the value!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/shubman-gill-gujarat-titans-2026-ipl-match-issue-ss-alternate-playing-shirt
5 Rishabh Pant (WK)
Coming in at 5 is arguably one of the most formidable middle-order batters in Test cricket. Rishabh Pant certainly gives the team real impetus when it comes to taking the game on and driving it forward. Known for taking on both spin and seam and often striking at more than a run a ball, he seems a perfect fit for the middle order. When batting at 5, Pant averages 55 and has 4 centuries and 15 half-centuries. Alongside his batting ability, he’ll take the gloves for the team and provide the calmness needed in this position. In stock currently is Rishabh Pant’s India 2024 Test Match Worn Playing Shirt! It is expensive, but it’s also absolutely beautiful!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/rishabh-pant-india-2024-test-match-worn-ss-playing-shirt
6 Ben Stokes ©
Into the all-rounders we go, and what a player we have coming in at 6. Are there enough words to describe how good Ben Stokes is? One of England’s greatest players, in my opinion. Having produced so many memorable moments with both bat and ball, it’s a given that he makes the team. Averaging 34 with the bat, along with 14 Test hundreds, he’s someone who can both absorb pressure and put it back on the opposition. Hopefully at the right time!! With the ball, 252 wickets at 30. Not bad for an all-rounder! Along with this, Stokes will captain the side, and we all know what he brings in that department of the game. In stock, we have some MI Cape Town Player & Match Issue playing and training items to cover all price points! Ben was scheduled to play in this before withdrawing.
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/ben-stokes-mi-cape-town-2025-sa20-match-issue-playing-pullover
7 Andrew Flintoff
Seemingly, a team with two all-rounders is the approach we’re going for. But when you have someone like Freddie in the wings, you can’t not play him. Saying that, I hope this isn’t played in Asia, as the lack of spin and overlooking of Jadeja could be problematical!
Flintoff brings so much to the team. With two Test centuries at 7, the ability to marshal the tail is a key attribute for this team. You only have to look at the 2005 Ashes to see how good Flintoff is with the ball. Being able to bowl in different parts of the innings is an asset to have, not to mention being a very safe pair of hands in the slip cordon! Currently, we have Flintoff’s 2005 Lancashire Lightning Match Worn Playing Jumper in stock. A personal favourite of mine!
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/andrew-flintoff-lancashire-lightning-2005-totesport-league-match-worn-ls-playing-jumper
8 Keshav Maharaj
Deciding on the spinner was a rather tricky challenge. It was a difficult decision between Jadeja, Harmer and Maharaj, but Maharaj was picked to add some extra variety in terms of leagues to the team. Keshav Maharaj is a very effective left-arm spinner who is well versed in being the lone spinner in the side. So, he’ll have no issues holding an end or having limited overs in the first innings, knowing that, when it comes to the second innings, the footmarks left by the seamers can really play a big part in the game. Along with his bowling, Maharaj is a more than capable batter, with 6 Test match fifties, adding even more depth to an already stacked batting line-up. In stock, we have Keshav Maharaj’s Hollywoodbets Dolphins One Day Cup Shirt, as well as his Barbados Royals Long Sleeve.
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/keshav-maharaj-hollywood-dolphins-1dc-match-worn-ss-playing-shirt
9 Trent Boult
Into the seamers we go, and I decided to go for the mixed approach, covering all bases in my view. For the left-arm option, we have Trent Boult. This was an extremely difficult decision between Boult and Marco Jansen, but looking at longevity and effectiveness with the red ball in hand, it was a rather simple choice. Along with another league added! Commonly known and feared for his ability to swing the ball back into right-handers at pace, targeting both the stumps and the front pad, Boult brings a real threat to batters at the top of the order. With 317 wickets at 27.5, Boult is in and takes the new ball. Ticking off another different league is Trent Boult’s Northern Warriors Abu Dhabi T10 Match Worn Short Sleeve Playing Shirt.
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/trent-boult-2024-abdt10-match-worn-ss-playing-shirt
10 Mark Wood
Archer or Wood. That was the question, and I’m sure a lot of you may disagree with my choice. Wood just gets the nod. To complement the bowling attack on show, someone with a point of difference makes the cut. Wood’s consistent ability to hit 90mph+ is something that can’t be overlooked. Since retiring from international cricket, praise has been heaped on his ability to not just bowl quickly, but also shape the ball. Notably, his spells at St Lucia and Headingley show his ability to bowl at extremely high pace. Having multiple other bowling options means he can be used in short, sharp bursts. Taking 119 wickets at 30 is very respectable, considering the conditions and the plans often requiring him to bowl for long periods. It’s also worth noting his ability to utilise the reverse-swinging ball if needed. At the moment, we have Mark Wood’s England 2024 T20 Match Worn Short Sleeve Playing Shirt in stock.
https://www.thecricketplug.com/products/mark-wood-england-2024-t20-match-worn-ss-playing-shirt/
11 Josh Hazelwood
Finally, at number 11, is the big Australian quick Josh Hazlewood. An unrelenting seam bowler, he’s metronomic when hitting a good length, with the ability to both nip the ball either way and swing it too. Hazlewood is a world-class operator who will take the new ball here and consistently test the batters’ defences. Currently ranked 7th in the world, Hazlewood has taken 311 wickets at a touch under 24, which is an unbelievable return, including 15 five-wicket hauls. A really great addition to the team, he provides a real sense of competitiveness and a willingness to get into the contest. There’s only one Josh Hazlewood shirt in stock, and that’s the RCB Green Game 2026 Match Issue Short Sleeve Playing Shirt. A rather impressive shirt to end the team!
So, that’s the team I’d be picking to take into battle! Preferably on a green seamer, or with some rather friendly overhead conditions to help. Bowl first, skittle them out and set a big total, hopefully only having to bat once!
If you think you can put together a better red-ball XI using players whose shirts are currently available, then please do send in your team. It would make a great debate!!