CricTracker Fan Poll: Best international cricketers of January 2017

The cricketing calendar started with a bang as the month of January witnessed some incredible games. There were many interesting matches going on simultaneously this month because of some cracking series’ that were going on in both, the East and the West – India v England, Australia v Pakistan, South Africa v Sri Lanka, New Zealand v Bangladesh, New Zealand v Australia and not to forget the Desert T20 Challenge. It was getting hard to catch up with all of them as the action amongst the respective teams was only getting more intense, and we were all in a fix when it came to leaving one match for the other. The 5 players who feature in the CricTracker fan poll of best international cricketers of January were a part of each of the series. 5. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – 3% votes Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc of Australia celebrate after getting the wicket of Sharjeel Khan. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) Australia is probably one of the best places to see batsmen play. But, what if it’s a bowler who can compel you to watch a match at the Adelaide Oval for his work with the Kookaburra? A lot of anticipation surrounded him after his return to international cricket after his ankle and foot surgery. Would he still be that fiery? Could he still work those Yorkers? He answered it best in his 6 matches in January. His wicket-taking streak remained consistent from Sydney to Auckland. He has taken at least one wicket in each match. His best figures of the month came at Adelaide against Pakistan, an admirable 4/42. Starc also received the Australian Test Cricketer of the Year award at the Allan Border Medal awards night. However, CT fans aren’t impressed. A mere 3% voted in his favour. 4. Kagiso Rabada (South Africa) – 3% votes Kagiso Rabada of South Africa. (Photo by Luke Walker/Gallo Images/Getty Images) What an asset this youngster is turning out to be for South Africa! While their wounds from the Kolpak deals are still fresh, players like Kagiso Rabada are providing everything to help those heal. He started the year with a stellar performance at Cape Town against Sri Lanka. He became only the second bowler to take 10 wickets in a match for South Africa against Sri Lanka with figures of 4/37 and 6/55. He impressed in the next Test match at Johannesburg too as he went on to take 3/44, 2/50. His performance in the Tests raised the bar of expectations too. He took a wicket each in both the ODIs he featured in. But, it was not Rabada at his best with the white ball. 1/35 and 1/47 at Port Elizabeth and Durban respectively were mediocre by his standards, and that is probably why CricTracker fans aren’t quite impressed. 3. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 14% votes Shakib Al Hasan of Bangladesh. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images) Though all was not well for Bangladesh in the series as they got quite a drubbing, they must be elated by Shakib’s performance at Wellington. Yeah, it was that memorable! Though he had been picking wickets in the previous matches, one wicket in each was pretty ordinary. But then came his show at Wellington. Who knows what got into him!? It was by far one of the greatest Test knocks by a Bangladeshi batsman. 217, his maiden double ton and a memory that Bangladesh would cherish and 2/78 with the ball was an all-round performance that deserved an applaud. At Christchurch too, he was good with his half century and figures of 4/50. But, I guess, his consistency and performance couldn’t really win his team matches so that’s why the public opinion didn’t go much in his favour. 14% was all for Shakib. 2. David Warner (Australia) – 31% votes David Warner of Australia celebrates after reaching 100 runs. (Photo by Morne de Klerk/Getty Images) David Warner was the only player other than Virat Kohli to truly owned 2016. He is making it clear that he wants to have 2017 to his name too. In India, I’m sure most people started waking up early to watch Warner play because he was scoring centuries like it was the easiest thing he’s done. 3 centuries in a month. 367 runs in the ODI series against Pakistan. This man is on a roll! His most recent performance of 179 at Adelaide is one of my personal favourite ODI knocks. Half of the people were hoping for him to an ODI double as well. Unfortunately, it did not happen. Right now, he is the best opener that exists and Australia are blessed to have him. 1. Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan) – 50% votes Mohammad Shahzad of Afghanistan. (Photo by Christopher Lee-IDI/IDI via Getty Images) Mohammad Shahzad is here to put Afghani cricket on the map. While most argued that he is an Associate player and should not be in contention, the 50% who voted in his favour are right if they think that is exactly why he deserves to be among the big names. He has made a mark and is calling upon all those to pay attention to cricket in Afghanistan. This month, Shahzad was in a different form altogether. And the result of this poll going in his favour is something to be happy about, for CT fans are conveying the message that Associate team or not, cricket is cricket! In the Desert T20 challenge, he has scored 207 runs in 6 matches. And we’re talking about just one month. He is good enough behind the stumps too. He was named the ICC Associate & Affiliate Cricketer of the Year and became the first Afghan to claim the honour. On 20th January, during the Desert T20, Mohammad Shahzad became the first cricket player in history to score 2 half centuries in two separate international matches on the same day as he blasted 80 against Oman and an unbeaten 52 against Ireland. Here is the result of the poll:

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CricTracker Fan Poll: Best international cricketers of January 2017

3. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh) – 14% votes

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