- By Manik Sharma
- Tue, 23 Jan 2024 05:04 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the Men's Test Team of the Year 2023, and once again, Australian players dominate the lineup. Pat Cummins, who led Australia to victory in the World Test Championship and successfully retained the Ashes, captains the formidable eleven.
Indian fans also have reason to cheer as Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja find a place in the prestigious team. A notable absentee from the team is Virat Kohli, who played eight Tests this year, Virat amassed 671 runs at an average of 55.91, including two centuries and two fifties in 12 innings, with his highest score being 186.
ICC Men's Test Team Of The Year 2023
USMAN KHAWAJA
DIMUTH KARUNARATNE
KANE WILLIAMSON
JOE ROOT
TRAVIS HEAD
RAVINDRA JADEJA
ALEX CAREY (WK)
PAT CUMMINS (C)
R ASHWIN
MITCHELL STARC
STUART BROAD
List Of Players:
Pat Cummins (c) (Australia):
A standout year for Cummins saw him captain Australia to victory in the World Test Championship and successfully defend the Ashes. With 42 wickets in 11 matches, Cummins displayed impeccable leadership and bowling masterclass, securing his nomination for the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy.
Usman Khawaja (Australia):
Khawaja's dream comeback continued as he amassed 1210 runs in 13 matches at an impressive average of 52.60. The opener stood out as the only batter to score over 1000 runs in Tests in 2023.
Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka):
Despite playing only six matches, Karunaratne's leadership and batting skills earned him a spot in the team. Amassing 608 runs at an average of 60.8, he guided Sri Lanka to a dominant 2-0 whitewash against Ireland.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand):
Williamson's resilience and brilliance were evident as he scored four centuries and totaled 695 runs in 2023. His pivotal innings, including a double hundred against Sri Lanka, played a crucial role in New Zealand's success.
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Joe Root (England):
Root's consistent performance earned him a spot in the team for the fourth time in his career. With impactful innings, including an unbeaten 118 in a thrilling Test in Birmingham, Root's contributions were a bright spot for England in the Ashes series.
Travis Head (Australia):
Head's counter-attacking 163 in the World Test Championship Final against India was crucial in Australia clinching their first WTC title. The lower middle-order left-handed batter scored 919 runs in 12 matches for Australia in 2023.
Ravindra Jadeja (India)
Jadeja's left-arm spin and valuable contributions with the bat made him an essential part of the team. His best performance came against Australia, including a 10-wicket haul in a match, helping India to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Alex Carey (wk) (Australia):
A standout wicket-keeper, Carey's 54 dismissals in 2023, including 44 catches and 10 stumpings, set him apart. His crucial batting contributions, especially in the World Test Championship Final against India where he scored 44, and an unbeaten 66, showcased his all-around capabilities.
Ravichandran Ashwin (India):
Ashwin's stellar performances in the Border-Gavaskar series, finishing with 25 wickets in four matches, highlighted his bowling dominance. Despite missing the WTC23 Final, his comeback against West Indies with 12 wickets proved how good a bowler he is.
Mitchell Starc (Australia):
Starc's left-arm variety added depth to the pace attack, securing 38 wickets in nine matches. His impactful performances in the Ashes series, including a five-for in Leeds, and all-round contributions in the WTC23 Final proved him as a crucial asset for Australia.
Stuart Broad (England):
In his final year, Broad's lethal bowling earned him a spot in the team. Finishing as England's joint-highest wicket-taker against New Zealand and contributing to the thrilling series draw against Australia, Broad concluded his career on a high note.
