^^^ As usual, current players are not there. Journalists have a tendency to overlook current players, and to glorify past players. And here, Deepu Narayanan has done the same thing. I have nothing against players such as Matthew Hayden, Andy Flower and Hashim Amla. But at the same time, I don't think that they are better than Steve Smith or Kane Williamson. And the selection of Graeme Swann ahead of Shane Warne is perplexing, to say the least.
Since it is about retired players Steve Smith and Kane Williamson is not considered but i have a difference of opinion as Mathew Hayden and Andy Flower played during an era where every team had a world class bowler and they played really well against and on their day they could win matches on their own. It is not a wise move to compare players from different generations.
Mathew Hayden was opener, Andy flower was WK Batsmen. So their comparsion with Smith/Williamson doesn't makes sense anyway as both Smith/Williamson are middle order batsmen (1st -2nd down), Hashim Amla is their competitor (Jacques Kallis and Viv Richards are irreplaceable) but if i have to choose all time XI then will pick Smith over Amla anyday, his average against India is outstanding.