Best Test XI of the year 2016

2016 was a highly eventful year. Like always, the year saw many ups and down. Some teams soared while other struggled. A lot of memorable cricketing action unfolded in the total of 16 Test series’ which took place around the world this year beginning with the Frank Worrell Trophy and ending with the Anthony De Mello Trophy.

Apart from the ‘team versus team’ action, the spectators were treated by many individual performances. A few players were really consistent and amassed heaps of runs and snapped loads of wickets. The established ones, who struggled in a year ago re-invented their form while newbies stamped their mark on the cricketing universe.

But, a select few stood out with some extraordinary and more importantly consistent performances. Here in this end of the year post, we try to put together the best Test XI based on the individual performances and overall the impact they had on their team’ performances.

1. Kraigg Brathwaite (West Indies):

Kraigg Brathwaite’s numbers may look a bit inferior as compared to the top run getters list has players with over 1000 runs in the calendar year but Brathwaite was easily the best opener for West Indies this year. Statistically speaking, the leaders may have out-scored Brathwaite, but talking about the impact, he played a big role for his team.

The right-hander scored 613 runs ended up as the highest run-getter for his team. This year was perhaps the best of his career. His 85 against Australia at Melbourne, 74 at North Sound against India and not to forget the fighting 142* against an in-form Pakistan team at Sharjah in the last Test provides a very good overview of the time he had with the struggling West Indies team that could win one Test out of the 8 Tests it played this year.

2. Alastair Cook (England):

If Brathwaite makes into the team purely on impact basis, England skipper Alastair Cook has the numbers too, in favour, apart from contributions to the team. Cook had a fabulous time with the bat, amassing 1270 in 17 Tests to end up as the third highest run-getter of the year behind compatriots Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root.

The year began on a sluggish note where he faced troubles against South Africa in the away series. But, he quickly resurrected and came up with memorable knocks to eventually end up making 7 fifties and 2 centuries. Talking about the personal milestones, Cook breached past the 10,000 runs mark, becoming the first English player to do so in the process.

3. Joe Root (England):

Joe Root solidified his position as England’s best young batsman after accumulating runs in heaps this year as well. The Yorkshire superstar ended the year as the highest run-getter in the Test format, having scored 1477 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 49.23 including 10 fifties and three centuries.

The vice-captain of the England Cricket team was in wonderful form throughout the year beginning with the Basil D Oliveira series where he ended up with 386 runs at an average of 55.14. In his second Test of the year, he scored a century and followed it up with a double century, a fighting 254 against Pakistan in Manchester. His last big knock came at Rajkot in India where in the 1st Test of the five-match series, Root hit 124 to help England draw the Test.

4. Virat Kohli (India) – Captain:

Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli can be easily be termed as the most improved Test batsman this year. The additional responsibility of leadership in the longest format brought terrific results from the Delhi lad. With 1215 runs in 12 Test at an average of close to 60 which includes three double tons. He ended up as the 4th highest run-getter in the calendar year.

He excelled leadership-wise as well, leading India with an unbeaten record this year of 7 wins and 3 draws in 11 Tests. The most remarkable achievement as a skipper this year can easily be the 2-0 series win against Sri Lanka on their home turf. This also makes him the arguably the best name to lead the combined XI.

5. Kane Williamson (New Zealand):

The New Zealand skipper faced a challenging year both as a player and captain. With the retirement of big names like Brendon McCullum and others, Williamson was handed over the responsibility of the Black Caps in all formats. He did not succumb to the pressure and did well.

The year 2015 was an outstanding one for him and he continued to be among the runs this year as well. In all, he scored 753 runs in 10 Tests at an average of 47.06. Comparatively, he did not score runs on a rate at which he did in 2015. But, his contributions in the middle order were of great importance for his team.

6. Jonny Bairstow (WK):

Jonny Bairstow had a dream run this year. His form was simply outstanding. 2016 may perhaps be the best he would have in upcoming years of his career. The fact which makes his success more remarkable is that most of his knocks have come in situations where he rescued and rebuilt the English innings in the lower order.

His tremendous record-breaking effort enabled him to end as the second run-getter with 1470 runs in 17 matches with the help of 7 fifties and 3 centuries. He began this year with a bang, registering an unbeaten 150 against South Africa in the Basil D’ Oliveira trophy and followed it up with two more special innings at Leeds and Lord’s against Sri Lanka where he made 140 and 167* respectively batting at No.7 and No6 respectively.

7. Ben Stokes (England):

Ben Stokes ends this year as the best fast bowling all-rounder. Stokes’ form, both with the bat and ball, was equally good. He contributed in both the aspects. Most of his knocks came in a tricky situation, just like his teammate Jonny Bairstow. In fact, he had a good time partnering with his teammate and enabling England to gain control of matches on many occasions.

The only player who came close to competing with him was his own teammate Chris Woakes, Speaking of numbers, Stokes ended up in the top ten of both the batsmen and bowlers’ chart. With the bat, he made an impressive 904 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 45.20 with 3 fifties and two centuries which includes his career best 258 against South Africa in Cape Town.

8. Ravichandran Ashwin (India):

There needs no explanation to the include Ravichandran Ashwin, ace Indian off-spinner, in the team. Ashwin’s terrific year, which according to statistics reads 72 wickets in just 12 Tests with eight five-wicket hauls and three ten-wicket hauls at an average of 23.90 for the automatic selection. Ash ends the year as the most successful bowler of 2016 and also with the ICC Test cricketer of the year award apart from being the only Indian to feature in the ICC’s Test XI of the year.

9. Yasir Shah (Pakistan):

Pakitan newest spin bowling spearhead – Yasir Shah – had a very productive 2016. Thanks to his arrival and success, Pakistan were not left searching for a quality Test spinner after the untimely exit of Saeed Ajmal. The leg-spinner is the only bowler who was able to compete with the brilliance of his more established cricketing rival Ravichandran Ashwin, snapping 43 wickets in 9 Tests.

The inclusion of the second highest wicket-taker of the year, Sri Lanka left-arm spinner heavyweight Rangana Herath was also possible. But, considering Shah’s success away from home and his bowling style it seemed Shah was better suited than Herath to feature in the team.

10. Mitchell Starc (Australia):

The fearsome left-arm fast bowler was easily the most dominating fast bowler this year. He was an unstoppable force sometimes. His in-swingers beat the best of the batsmen and his searing yorkers cleaned up batsmen every other time he unleashed it. Whether bowling at home or on the slow pitches in Sri Lanka, Starc had a trick or two reserved to unsettled and remove the batsman.

He played just 6 Tests, thanks to his persistent ankle injury trouble and another leg injury which he inflicted in a practice session. But, Starc was at his best in each of his come back and ends the year with 38 wickets inside the top ten of the highest wicket takers list.

11. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa):

The biggest revelation this year as far as young fast bowling talent is concerned. Rabada, who made his debut in 2015, was on loose this year and promises to be a good replacement for the fading Dale Steyn. He is rapid, has control and knows to make maximum impact with the new ball.

The South African management entrusted a good amount of responsibility on his shoulders and he made sure not to disappoint. Be it the home series against England at the start of the year or playing one of the lead roles in the 2-1 series win over Australia down under, he was a topic of discussion all the times, South Africa played this year.

Rabada, who has played only three Tests before the start of the year, finished 2016 as the top wicket-taker of the year for the Proteas with 42 wickets in eight matches. These numbers obviously make it impossible to neglect him as the second lead fast bowler of this team.