The best all-rounders Test XI in the modern era

Middle Order: Jacques Kallis, Shakib-Al-Hasan and Ben Stokes

Kallis is regarded as one of the best all-rounders of all-time

Jacques Kallis is one of the greatest all-rounders in the modern era and one of the highly rated all-rounders in the history of cricket.

He was a technically proficient batsman, who adopted a classical approach and believed in batting time and taking the shine of the ball. The mighty South African was one of the top batting stars in the modern era scoring 45 centuries.

Kallis was a fast-medium bowler who picked up 274 wickets at an average of 32.51. He was part of a four-pronged pace attack for South Africa, whose job was to hold one end up and create pressure. His bowling record as a fourth seamer looks pretty formidable and makes him one of the all-time greats in cricket.

Career Statistics: Jacques Kallis - Right-hand bat and Right arm fast medium

Matches: 166 Innings: 280 Runs: 13289 HS: 224 Average: 55.1 100's: 45 50's: 58

Innings: 272 Wickets: 292 BB: 6/54 Average: 32.6 4W: 7 5W: 5

The best all-rounders in recent time: Stokes and Shakib

Shakib-Al-Hasan is one of the greatest all-rounders from Asia and ranks as one of the best spin bowling all-rounders, the world has seen. He is one of the prime reasons why Bangladesh cricket is on the ascendancy. Shakib is a middle-order batsman who is capable of runs across the world in all conditions.

On a turning track, Shakib is a quite a handful; he possesses accuracy and bowls a nagging length with subtle variations. He has achieved a unique distinction of an all-rounders double which includes 3000 runs and 200 wickets.

Career Statistics: Shakib-Al-Hasan - Left-hand bat and Left-arm spin

Matches: 55 Innings: 103 Runs: 3807 HS: 217 Average: 39.6 100's: 5 50's: 24

Innings: 93 Wickets: 205 BB: 7/36 Average: 31.3 4W: 8 5W: 18

When it comes to choosing the best all-rounder in recent times, it would be hard to think beyond the ambidextrous Ben Stokes. He is a counter-attacking batsman who bats at No.5 or No.6 and a potent right arm bowler who can come in as the first change and bowl accurate lines to unsettle batsmen.

If the ball is old, Stokes is one of the best proponents of reverse-swing and skilful in bowling the incoming deliveries. He is a complete package, who can counter-attack, play the waiting game, break crucial partnerships and take some acrobatic catches with his brilliant fielding.

Career Statistics: Ben Stokes - Left hand bat and Right arm fast medium

Matches: 49 Innings: 89 Runs: 2966 HS: 258 Average: 33.7 100's: 6 50's: 16

Innings: 85 Wickets: 117 BB: 6/22 Average: 32.7 4W: 4 5W: 4