Best Test XI of 2023

As the year 2023 draws to a close, it’s time to uncover the tapestry of excellence fashioned by the game's most lasting format's best players. The Test arena saw performances that not only defined matches but also engraved their names in the annals of cricketing glory. From the batting stalwarts who weathered storms on seaming and spinning surfaces to the unrelenting pace bowlers who sent stumps cartwheeling. And spinners who made batters dance to their tunes, the year has witnessed a convergence of skill that deserves to be recognized. In this article, we curate a lineup that captures the essence of Test cricket in 2023, recognizing exceptional performers whose prowess and consistency have left an indelible stamp on the Test matches played this year. Let's take a look at the finest Test XI of 2023: 1. Usman Khawaja (AUS) Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP via Getty Images) Usman Khawaja of Australia is the only batter to make over 1000 runs in Tests in 2023. With one more Test to go against Pakistan before the year ends, Khawaja has made 1168 runs in 12 matches at an average of 43.43. the prolific batter has hit 3 centuries and 6 fifties and his highest score was 195*. He had also scored more than a thousand runs in 2022 as well. 2. Rohit Sharma (IND/C) Rohit Sharma. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) India captain Rohit Sharma has played only 7 Tests in 2023 but scored 540 runs with 2 centuries and 2 fifties to his name. He averaged 49.09 and his highest score was 120 one of his centuries came on a rank turner in Nagpur against Australia, where the way he handled Nathan Lyon and co. was a lesson in playing spin bowling. Rohit also captained India to the final of the World Test Championship 2021-23. 3. Steve Smith (AUS) Steve Smith. (Photo Source: Twitter) Though his form tapered at the end a bit, Steve Smith still had a very good year in Tests in 2023. In 12 matches, the Australian batting maestro has made 853 runs with an average of 42.65. He has scored 3 centuries and 2 fifties with his best score being 121. Though not quite the numbers Smith would like, these stats are enough to showcase his batting brilliance in the red-ball format. 4. Virat Kohli (IND) Virat-Kohli. (Photo Source: X/Twitter) Virat Kohli roared back in form in 2023 in Tests. In 7 Tests, Kohli has 557 runs with 2 centuries and one fifty. He averages 55.70 and his century in the Ahmedabad Test against Australia broke his drought of Test tons since November 2019. He then scored another century against West Indies in an away Test to break his three-year overseas ton drought. 5. Travis Head (AUS) Travis Head (Photo Source: Twitter) Travis Head has been a revelation for Australia in Tests. His aggressive batting has given his side lots of opportunities to win matches from positions where usually teams play for a draw. He has made 902 runs in 11 Tests thus far with 1 century and 5 fifties. He averages 45.40 and his only ton came in the final of the WTC 2021-23 final against India. This helped Australia become the first team to win a world championship in all three international formats. 6. Ben Stokes (ENG) Ben Stokes in 2019 Ashes. (Photo Source: ANTHONY DEVLIN/AFP via Getty Images) Ben Stokes revamped England's Test cricket along with coach Brendon McCullum in 2022. Since then, Three Lions have steamrolled every opposition in its path. Even Australia barely managed to match the aggressive cricket played by England in the Ashes 2023. In 8 Tests, Stokes made 515 runs with one ton and 2 fifties at an average of 39.61. His highest score was 155 and due to a knee issue, he didn’t bowl much this year. 7. Tom Blundell (NZ/Wk) Tom Blundell. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images) Tom Blundell of New Zealand had a fruitful year in 2023 both with the bat and the glovework behind the stumps. He played 7 Tests, scoring 433 runs with one century and 3 fifties and his highest score was 133. He took 22 catches and made 7 stumpings, respectively. 8. Ravindra Jadeja (IND) Ravindra Jadeja. (Photo Source: Twitter) Ravindra Jadeja turned out to be a key factor in Team India thrashing Australia at home, early this year. In all, Jadeja played 7 Tests and took 33 wickets at an average of 19.39. His best bowling in an innings was 7/42. With the bat, he made 281 runs with 2 fifties to his name at an average of 35.12. He will play a huge role in the new WTC cycle for India. 9. Nathan Lyon (AUS) Nathan Lyon. (Photo Source: X(Twitter) Nathan Lyon recently completed a major landmark of 500 wickets in Tests. This largely happened because he has taken 43 wickets thus far in 2023. He has played 9 Tests and averaged 23.62. Lyon's best bowling figures have been 8/64 which came in Australia’s brilliant win over India in the Indore Test where he picked a total of 11 wickets. 10. Mitchell Starc (AUS) Mitchell Starc. (Photo Source: Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images) Mitchell Starc has 34 wickets in 8 Tests in 2023 for Australia. His best bowling figures have been 5/78 and he has averaged 29.47. Despite a bit underwhelming performance this year, Starc managed to help Australia win the final of the WTC 2023 against India to emerge as the Test World Champions. He also took 23 wickets in Ashes 2023, helping Australia draw level in the series where they trailed 2-0 at one point after three Tests. 11. Stuart Broad (ENG) Stuart Broad vs South Africa 2008. (Photo Source: Hamish Blair/Getty Images) Stuart Broad bid adieu to international cricket after Ashes 2023. However, he did his job for England in 2023, as he featured in 8 Test matches and picked 38 wickets at an average of 26.28. Playing an important partnership with James Anderson and Mark Wood, Broad took 22 wickets in the mega event against the arch-rivals Australia. Interestingly enough, the English bowler finished his international cricket career on a high with a wicket off his final delivery.

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Best Test XI of 2023

Here are the best performers of the year 2023 in the Test format.

10. Mitchell Starc (AUS)

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