ICC Test team of the year 2015

The ICC announced its Test team of the year 2015. The team features the most outstanding performers of this calendar year. The selection panel was chaired by the ICC’s Cricket Committee chairman and former India captain Anil Kumble who selected the team on the merits of the overall performance of the players in 2015. The qualification period ran from September 18th 2014 to September 13th 2015 and the selection panel included past greats of the game including former West Indies fast bowler Ian Bishop, ex-England batsman Mark Butcher, former Australia women’s captain Belinda Clark and Mr. G. Viswanath, Deputy Editor of The Hindu & Sportstar. ICC Test team of the year 2015: David Warner (Australia): David Warner. (© Getty Images) The explosive Australian opener has to be the obvious choice for the opener’s slot. Warner has brought the T20 flavor to Test cricket. He is a genuine entertainer and has been in terrific form this year with 1213 runs at a stunning average of 80.1. His majestic innings of 253 against New Zealand at Perth was his best this year. Overall, he has hit 4 centuries and 6 half centuries. Quick Link – Latest ICC Test Player Rankings Alastair Cook (England) (Captain): Alastair Cook. (© MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) The England Test skipper has been in prolific form this year. Cook is currently the highest run getter in this calendar year having amassed 1357 runs at an average of 59.00 in 13 Test matches. His highest Test score of 263 came under tough conditions against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. Overall, he has three centuries to his name this year. His leadership has also been good. England started this year with the tour of West Indies which they drew 1-1. Following which England hosted New Zealand at home; this series was also drawn 1-1. Then it was “The Ashes” time and Australia visited England. England’s first Test series win under the leadership of Cook came in the form of the Ashes. The Englishmen won the series 3-2 to regain the Ashes. However, Pakistan blanked England 2-0 at the UAE which was Cook’s only unsuccessful series outing this year. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images) Kane Williamson has been New Zealand’s most successful batsman this year in Tests. Williamson has 902 runs to his name this year and looks confident to go past 1000 runs before the end of this year. He has a bradmanesque batting average of 90.40 in the 6 Tests he has played this year. Williamson has hit 4 centuries which includes a splendid 242* at Wellington, rest of his centuries have come in away conditions. Younis Khan (Pakistan): Younis Khan. (© Getty Images) The veteran Pakistan batsman has been in decent batting form this year and growing age doesn’t seem to affect his batting flair. At 38, he is still outshining his younger teammates in terms of runs scoring and has scored 789 runs this year at an average of 56.72 including 3 centuries. Steven Smith (Australia): Steve Smith. (© Getty Images) Steven Smith is the third highest run-getter this year. The responsibility of leading the Test side has only bettered him as a batsman and as a contributor this team. Smith looks calm from outside but is a fierce competitor from inside. He has played 11 Tests so far and has scored 1260 runs. Smith started this year with a superb century against India at Sydney. Later he missed his double century by just one run against West Indies but shortly achieved this feat against England scoring by 215 in the second Test of the Ashes. Joe Root (England): Joe Root. (© Getty Images) Joe Root has been England’s most dependable batsman during crisis situation. The cricketer counters tense situations with a smile on his face and has been in wonderful form. He bats at number three for England and has been their best batsman after Cook. Root has 1288 runs to his credit in 2015 and is the second highest run scorer this year. These runs came at an average of 61.33. Sarfraz Ahmed (Pakistan) (wicketkeeper): Sarfaraz Ahmad. (Photo Source: AFP) Sarfraz Ahmed has been chosen as the wicketkeeper of the team. Ahmed has been the most consistent wicketkeeper-batsman for Pakistan in the last two years. He had a decent year as a batsman scoring 564 runs with 3 half-centuries. His fine glove work has resulted in 33 dismissals which consists of 23 catches and 10 stumpings. Stuart Broad (England): Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images) Stuart Broad had a great 2015. He has taken 51 wickets in 13 Test this year. His best bowling figures this year is also the best bowling performance of the year which came against Australia during the Ashes. Broad took a remarkable figure of 8/15 in the 4th Test at Nottingham bundling out Australia for just 60 runs single-handedly. The tall right-arm pacer was rightly chosen as the leader of the pace attack. Trent Boult (New Zealand): Trent Boult. (© Getty Images) The left-arm swing bowler is a threat for any opposition in seaming tracks. So, this year he has played only 6 Tests but already has 30 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Over the period of time, he has developed into a bowler of a solid caliber who can perform in any condition against the best batting line-ups. Yasir Shah (Pakistan): Yasir Shah (© Getty Images) Yasir Shah currently the best leg spinner in the world. Shah had a brilliant year and has taken 49 wickets in just 7 Tests. He dominated Australia and New Zealand at UAE before heading to Sri Lanka where he took his best bowling figures of 7/76 at Galle International Stadium. After which, he continued his good run against England. Josh Hazlewood (Australia): Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images) The man who comes from the Glenn McGrath mould has made a reputation for himself in the Test arena in a short span of time. The 24-year-old made his debut towards the end of 2014 and has already made it to the Test team of the year. Josh Hazlewood played 10 Tests and took 44 wickets this year. Hazlewood’s best bowling figures of 6/70 came against New Zealand. 12th Man: Ravichandran Ashwin (India): Ravichandran Ashwin. (Photo Source: BCCI) Ravichandran Ashwin is the leading wicket taker in 2015. Ashwin has taken 55 wickets in just 8 Tests. He has a terrific bowling average of just 17.81. He took a combined tally of 26 wickets in excellent away series against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He has been unplayable in home conditions against South Africa where he currently has 24 wickets to his name in 5 innings. Also Read – ICC ODI Team of the Year 2015

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