First XI

Hale School First XI (plus schoolmaster) in 1907

The first XI, first 11 or starting XI are the 11 primary players in an organisation's leading team, particularly a cricket team or association football team. A player who is considered part of the starting XI is often the most proficient in his/her particular position - for example, a football club's leading goal scorer will almost always be selected due to his ability and the contribution he/she makes to the team.

'First eleven' is a reference to the fact that they are the first eleven players selected to play for the team - many sports state that clubs must have squads of no fewer than number of players, and this number is often higher than 11. For example, in the Premier League, each club has to designate a squad of 25.