Harsha Bhogle names his Test XI of the year

The ongoing year, which will end in a couple of days, witnessed quite a few riveting Test matches. The fans could not have asked for a better series to kickstart the year as the World number one Test side India travelled to South Africa who were breathing down their neck in the ICC rankings. On the very expected notes, both the teams fought fiercely as the series ended 2-1 in favour of the hosts.

It was just the precursor of things that were to follow in the rest of the year as the fans witnessed some classic Test matches. The likes of India, England, Australia, Pakistan and New Zealand churned out some brilliant performances throughout the year.

The nail-biting Test between India and England at Edgbaston, the drawn game between Pakistan and Australian in UAE, New Zealand winning an away series against Pakistan after 49 years with two thrilling wins or the most-recent the Adelaide Test between India and Australia are some of the most notable games of the year.

With just a few days remaining before this year ends, renowned cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle revealed his Test team of the year while speaking on Cricbuzz.

Team combination

Harsha began by picking up the openers for his star-studded lineup. The veteran commentator mentioned that 2018 was the worst year for the Test openers in the history of the game before picking New Zealand’s Tom Latham and Dimuth Karunaratne at the top of the order.

Latham has scored 658 runs in seven Test matches at a fine average of 59.81 this year including a double century. On the other hand, Karunaratne amassed 743 runs in nine matches at an average of 46.43. Latham’s compatriot and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson took the number three position after scoring 651 runs in seven matches at an average of 59.81.

World number one Test batsman and India skipper Virat Kohli bats at number four position. Kohli is finishing the year as the highest run-scorer in Tests, having scored 1,322 runs. Former South Africa skipper AB de Villiers takes the fifth place in Bhogle’s team as the right-hander smashed 638 runs in seven matches at 53.17 before retiring.

England’s Jos Buttler has taken the wicketkeeping duties after his successful return to Tests this year. The hard-hitting batsman scored 760 runs in 10 games this year. Windies skipper Jason Holder has been picked as the allrounder in the team while Nathan Lyon, Mohammad Abbas, Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins complete the bowling lineup.

Here’s Harsha Bhogle’s Test team of the year:

Tom Latham, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler, Jason Holder, Pat Cummins, Nathan Lyon, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Abbas.

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