An Autobiographical XI: Test XI of cricketers who wrote autobiographies

Openers:

Matthew Hayden

Hayden's autobiography: Standing my Ground

M: 103 Inn: 184 Runs: 8625 Avg: 50.73 Best: 380 50/100: 29/30

The left-handed burly Australian opener Hayden sent shivers down the spine of opposition bowling attacks whenever he opened the batting. An integral part of the invincible Aussie team of the first decade of the 21st century, Hayden’s aggressive batting set the tone for the incoming batsmen and for the match as a whole.

Haydos’ autobiography, ‘Standing my ground’, published in 2010, reflects upon the man of contradictions that he was- in the face of his opponent on the field and a god-fearing gentleman off it.

Alastair Cook

Cook published his book very early in his career

M: 152 Inn: 275 Runs: 12005 Avg: 46.35 Best: 294 50/100: 55/32

The calm-headed and technically sound Cook serves as the perfect foil to the aggression of Hayden. A modern day great, Cook has proven, time and again, his batting genius by mastering alien conditions and helping England scale cricketing heights in this era.

Having made his memorable test debut against India in 2006, it was quite early in his career that Cook penned down his personal account, ‘Starting Out: My story so far’, in 2008. However, it is only fair to say that someone who scored seven test centuries before turning 23 would have had a lot to share about his journey to success.