Non Asian Test XI of the Year 2015

The year of 2015 has seen some phenomenal limited overs action with the World Cup taking place this year. Test cricket, however, with some quality matches, managed to grab the attention of the fans as well. With the year beginning with Kiwis taking on Lankans and Indians playing down under, the year 2015 saw some high octane Test series like the Ashes, South Africa’s tour to India and the Trans-Tasman battle between Australia and New Zealand. It is difficult to pick the top players in Tests especially with the Asians dominating the fray since they have played comparatively more matches. So here we decide to pick up the Non Asian Test XI of the Year 2015 with the top performers in the calendar year. 1. Alastair Cook (England): Alastair Cook. (© MARWAN NAAMANI/AFP/Getty Images) The England skipper had a great 2015 in Tests. His side won the Ashes 3-2 over Australia to regain the Urn. Cook played in 13 matches this year and is the leading run-scorer in Tests in 2015 with 1357 runs. He has scored the runs at an average of 59 and had 3 centuries to his name in 2015. His brilliant 528-ball, 856-minute 263 against Pakistan was commended by all. He was also handy against the Aussies in the Ashes where he gave England the crucial starts. Also Read – Best ODI XI of the year 2015 2. David Warner (Australia): David Warner. (© Getty Images) The swashbuckling Australian opener was in ominous touch too and rightly joins Cook at the top of the order. Having scored 1277 runs in 12 matches at an average of over 58, Warner has 4 Test tons to his name this year. He hit a brilliant knock of 253 against New Zealand in the 2nd Test of New Zealand’s tour to Australia. The highlight of his batting was his strike rate. Despite playing Test cricket, Warner often scored runs briskly and was the chief wrecker of the opposition on most occasions. 3. Joe Root (England): Joe Root. (© Getty Images) The classical English batsman, Joe Root, struck perfect form during the Ashes. His centuries in the first and fourth Test were instrumental for England’s win against the mighty Aussies. Having played 13 matches this year, Root is the second leading run scorer of 2015 with 1288 runs. He has an average of 61.33 with 3 centuries to his name. His highest score this year was an unbeaten 182 against the West Indies in April this year. He fits into the middle order of Non-Asian Test XI. 4. Kane Williamson (New Zealand): Kane Williamson. (© Getty Images) When you talk about a Test XI, be it the world XI or Non-Asian, you ought to have this Kiwi batsman in the list. Williamson has been in the form of his life and has the best average among all batsmen this year with an average of 90.15. The currently top-ranked batsman in the world, Williamson played just 8 matches this year to amass 1172 runs with 5 centuries to his name. With his most recent ton against Sri Lanka, he became the first New Zealand batsman to score 5 Test tons in a calendar year. 5. Steve Smith (Australia): Steven Smith. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The Australia skipper has been having a dream run in the last 18 months. Ever since India’s tour down under, this non-conventional right-handed batsman has tormented all bowling lineups alike. He has scored 1270 runs this year in 12 matches and was the first among the two players to score 5 Test centuries in this calendar year. He averaged 63.50 in 2015 with a top score of 215. 6. BJ Watling (New Zealand): BJ Watling. (© Getty Images) The wicketkeeping department would definitely go to New Zealand’s BJ Watling. Watling has contributed on key occasions for the Kiwis with the bat. He has scored 536 runs at an average of 48.72 in 8 Tests with the top score of 142* against Sri Lanka. His wicketkeeping has been phenomenal too. He has 32 catches to his name in addition to 3 vital stumpings. Clearly, the Kiwi has been impressive behind the stumps. 7. Stuart Broad (England): Stuart Broad. (© Getty Images) The all-rounder from England, primarily known for his heroics with the ball, Stuart Broad makes the cut into the Non-Asian XI as an all-rounder. During the second Ashes Test, when England were bowled out for 103, there was just one positive for them and that was Broad’s resistance as he top scored with 25. He has been impressive with the ball. Having played 13 matches, he has 51 wickets to his name with a best of 8/15, which remains to be the best bowling figures in Tests this year. His 8/15 sank Australia to score of 60 in the 4th Ashes Test which is one of their lowest totals. 8. Nathan Lyon (Australia): Nathan Lyon. (Photo Source: Getty Images) The only spinner to make it to the Non-Asian Test XI would be Nathan Lyon. He has taken the most wickets as a non-Asian spinner this year. He is the third overall leading wicket taker among spinners this year after Ravi Ashwin and Yasir Shah. He has 41 wickets to his name in 12 matches with a best of 6/144. His economy rate has been 3.10 and has 76 maidens to his name. 9. James Anderson (England): James Anderson. (© Getty Images) Anderson has the distinction of bowling the most maidens this year, with 114 to his name. He has picked up 46 wickets in 11 matches with two 5-wicket hauls. Anderson has been a miser bowler to deal with as he leaked runs at 2.64 runs per over. His best figures were 6/42 against the West Indies at Barbados. 10. Mitchell Starc (Australia): Mitchell Starc. (© Cricket Australia/Getty Images) The bowling spearhead of Australia was having a dream run in 2015 until he got injured at his peak during New Zealand’s tour to Australia in November. Mitch Starc picked up 46 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 25.06 and economy of 3.35. Starc had two five-wicket hauls in 2015 with a best of 6/111. The left-arm pacer also bowled the fastest delivery in Test cricket this year. 11. Josh Hazlewood (Australia): Josh Hazlewood. (© Getty Images) The Australian pacer is the leading wicket-taker among fast bowlers this year with 51 wickets. He has played in 11 matches to achieve this feat. He is next to India’s Ravichandran Ashwin in the overall leading wicket takers list. Having bowled 88 maidens this year, Hazlewood has 2 five-wicket hauls to his name and averages just 21.60 in Tests. His best figures of 6/70 came against New Zealand recently. He certainly deserves to be in the Non-Asian Test XI of 2015. Also Read – ICC Test team of the year 2015

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Non Asian Test XI of the Year 2015

8. Nathan Lyon (Australia):

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