'Tis the season for list-making, especially in case you are a sports journalist. Here, then, for your perusal, contemplation and most certainly inflammation, is TOI Sport's Test crew of the 12 months.
1 Dean Elgar M 12 I 21 Runs 1128 HS 199 Avg 53.71 100x5 50x4
This was the left-hand opener's maximum prolific 12 months ever, and the way necessary it proved for a South African crew in search of steadiness on the peak and to move up the rankings. Elgar's 12 months started with a vastly influential 129 towards Sri Lanka that countered a Cape Town green peak that almost backfired on South Africa and set up a 282-run win. Runs followed in New Zealand and England and at home towards Bangladesh, where he was Man of the Series after ratings of 119, 18 and 113. All 12 months, Elgar was reliable, durable and a useful senior spouse to young opener Aidan Markram, which might prove his maximum key contribution but.
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2 David Warner M 11 I 21 Runs 997 HS 123 Avg 49.85 100x4 50x4
The 0.33 maximum a success opener this 12 months. Began via smashing a century off 78 balls towards Pakistan within the New Year's Test in Sydney, just the fifth batsman to hit a century before lunch on day one. Struggled in India, with a very best of 56, but then produced two excellent masses in Bangladesh; one to stay Australia afloat in a defeat and the second one to assist them level the sequence. In his own words, the 112 in Mirpur, in defeat, was Warner's very best Test century. Was sturdy towards England at home and played a job in getting again the Ashes, with 385 runs in 4 Tests before the 12 months closed.
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3 Cheteshwar Pujara M 11 I 18 Runs 1140 HS 202 Avg 67.05 100x4 50x5
The second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket this 12 months. The joint third-fastest Indian batsman to 4,000 Tests runs. Man of the Match towards Australia in Ranchi for his 202, the longest innings via an Indian batsman in the case of balls faced (525), as India prevented defeat. Consecutive masses in Sri Lanka as India received 3-0. Then 143 as India beat Sri Lanka in Nagpur. Consistency personified, with an urge for food for giant masses.
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4 Virat Kohli M 10 I 16 Runs 1059 HS 243 Avg 75.64 100x5 50x1
This must be stated: Kohli averaged 9.20 in three Tests towards Australia this 12 months, which means he scored 771 of his 1059 runs towards Sri Lanka, and 242 in a single Test with Bangladesh. But he was irresistible when in drift, and 3 double-centuries in a 12 months additional underscored what Kohli does for an impressive Indian crew that maintained its hold on the No 1 spot. His second-innings 104 at Eden Gardens grew to become the Test around in a flash and propelled India to a position from where they almost received. The doubles that followed in Nagpur and Delhi were soaked in such self belief that it was Kohli on one facet, his team-mates on the different.
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5 Steven Smith (capt) M 11 I 20 Runs 1305 HS 239 Avg 76.76 100x6 50x3
The recreation's very best batsman did what has been doing for the past three years: scoring via the truckload, once once more finishing a calendar 12 months with over 1000 runs. Was on a different level in India (499 runs, with three centuries) and at home towards England (604 runs and counting) and each and every of his masses bordered on the sublime. After driving Australia to victory in Brisbane with 141* and Perth with 239, Smith denied England victory with an unbeaten 102* on the MCG. The short two-Test tour of Bangladesh was an aberration towards such gorging, however it did come with a crucial 58 in the second one Test to assist finish the sequence 1-1.
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6 Shakib Al Hasan M 7 I 14 Runs 665 HS 217 Avg 47.50 100x2 50x3 W 29 BB 5/68 5x2
His critics - and there are many - will level to Shakib opting out of Bangladesh's tour of South Africa, but focusing purely on the fits he did play, the top-ranked Test allrounder had a bumper 12 months. In January, he eclipsed Bangladesh's earlier best possible person rating, hitting 217 in New Zealand. Then he left an imprint on the crew's first victory over Sri Lanka with the only real century of what was Bangladesh's 100th Test. Nothing could peak, on the other hand, his counter-attacking 84 and 10/153 in a historic defeat of Australia.
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7 Ben Stokes M 7 I 12 Runs 527 HS 112 Avg 43.91 100x2 50x4 W 16 BB 6/22 SR 58.6
Before he overlooked the Ashes as a result of a drunken bar drawl, Stokes saved up his recognition as essentially the most thrilling allrounder. Put England forward 2-1 within the 0.33 Test towards South Africa with a crackling 112, which incorporated three successive sixes to get to his hundred. In the following Test, a crucial 58 within the first innings. Scored 100 and 58 in a loss to West Indies, and within the deciding Test ripped during the guests with 6/22 in 14.3 overs on day one at Lord's to put England on track for victory.
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8 Quinton de Kock (wk) M I Runs 619 HS 101 Ave 36.41 100x1 50x4 Ct 45 St 5
The maximum a success wicketkeeper of the 12 months, and a handy batsman to have at No 8. Safe in the back of the stumps, taking essentially the most catches of all glovemen. Scored his runs at a strike-rate of 73.25. Struggled in England, where he managed two fifties in eight innings, but was influential in beating Sri Lanka and New Zealand with innings of 101, 91 and 90.
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9 Kagiso Rabada M 11 W 57 BB 6/55 Avg 20.28 SR 37.8 5x3 10x2
The maximum a success rapid bowler of 2017. Began the 12 months via blowing away Sri Lanka in a 282-run shellacking at Cape Town, struggled in New Zealand, but 16 wickets in three Tests in England - he would have had extra if he hadn't been suspended for one recreation - and a tenth ten-wicket haul towards Bangladesh noticed him become some of the youngest bowlers to take 100 wickets. Rabada ended 2017 at a career-high No 3 on the ICC Test bowlers desk.
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10 Nathan Lyon M 11 W 63 BB 8/50 Avg 23.55 SR 52.2 5x5 10x1
The best possible wicket-taker of the 12 months, with an imprint on each and every sequence he played in. In India, Lyon helped Australia stun the hosts within the sequence opener, and then claimed a report 8/50 on day some of the moment Test. In Bangladesh, he took 9 wickets in a surprise defeat within the first Test and then 13 to steer Australia's revival on the decider. Six of those got here in a marathon second-innings spell as he recorded the second-best match figures via an Australian spinner. Then got here a starring position to assist regain the Ashes - 17 wickets in 4 Tests, sending Australia into 2018 on a excessive.
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11 James Anderson M 11 W 55 BB 7/42 Avg 17.58 SR 46.4 5x4
The lowest moderate and economic system of all bowlers in 2017. Touched No 1 within the ICC rankings. Became the 0.33 rapid bowler to get to 500 Test wickets. Remarkable, given than Anderson is 35 and has played 133 Test fits. Four five-wicket hauls, together with a career-best 7/42 to steamroll West Indies at Lord's, plus 4 and 3 as South Africa were smashed at Old Trafford. Should had been part of a well-known victory in Adelaide after taking 5/43. Shows no sign of fading.
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12th guy: Ravindra Jadeja M 10 I 14 Runs 328 HS 70* Avg 41 50x4 W 54 BB 6/63 SR 56.5
India's second-highest wicket-taker in 2017. Better moderate, strike-rate and economic system than R Ashwin, in a single Test fewer. Twice Man of the Match for roles in series-clinching wins over Australia in Dharamsala and Sri Lanka in Colombo. Man of the Series for 25 wickets as India beat Australia 2-1 and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Became No 1 bowler and allrounder in Tests. Second quickest to 150 Tests and the quickest left-arm spinner.
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1 Dean Elgar M 12 I 21 Runs 1128 HS 199 Avg 53.71 100x5 50x4
This was the left-hand opener's maximum prolific 12 months ever, and the way necessary it proved for a South African crew in search of steadiness on the peak and to move up the rankings. Elgar's 12 months started with a vastly influential 129 towards Sri Lanka that countered a Cape Town green peak that almost backfired on South Africa and set up a 282-run win. Runs followed in New Zealand and England and at home towards Bangladesh, where he was Man of the Series after ratings of 119, 18 and 113. All 12 months, Elgar was reliable, durable and a useful senior spouse to young opener Aidan Markram, which might prove his maximum key contribution but.
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2 David Warner M 11 I 21 Runs 997 HS 123 Avg 49.85 100x4 50x4
The 0.33 maximum a success opener this 12 months. Began via smashing a century off 78 balls towards Pakistan within the New Year's Test in Sydney, just the fifth batsman to hit a century before lunch on day one. Struggled in India, with a very best of 56, but then produced two excellent masses in Bangladesh; one to stay Australia afloat in a defeat and the second one to assist them level the sequence. In his own words, the 112 in Mirpur, in defeat, was Warner's very best Test century. Was sturdy towards England at home and played a job in getting again the Ashes, with 385 runs in 4 Tests before the 12 months closed.
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3 Cheteshwar Pujara M 11 I 18 Runs 1140 HS 202 Avg 67.05 100x4 50x5
The second-highest run-scorer in Test cricket this 12 months. The joint third-fastest Indian batsman to 4,000 Tests runs. Man of the Match towards Australia in Ranchi for his 202, the longest innings via an Indian batsman in the case of balls faced (525), as India prevented defeat. Consecutive masses in Sri Lanka as India received 3-0. Then 143 as India beat Sri Lanka in Nagpur. Consistency personified, with an urge for food for giant masses.
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4 Virat Kohli M 10 I 16 Runs 1059 HS 243 Avg 75.64 100x5 50x1
This must be stated: Kohli averaged 9.20 in three Tests towards Australia this 12 months, which means he scored 771 of his 1059 runs towards Sri Lanka, and 242 in a single Test with Bangladesh. But he was irresistible when in drift, and 3 double-centuries in a 12 months additional underscored what Kohli does for an impressive Indian crew that maintained its hold on the No 1 spot. His second-innings 104 at Eden Gardens grew to become the Test around in a flash and propelled India to a position from where they almost received. The doubles that followed in Nagpur and Delhi were soaked in such self belief that it was Kohli on one facet, his team-mates on the different.
AP Image
5 Steven Smith (capt) M 11 I 20 Runs 1305 HS 239 Avg 76.76 100x6 50x3
The recreation's very best batsman did what has been doing for the past three years: scoring via the truckload, once once more finishing a calendar 12 months with over 1000 runs. Was on a different level in India (499 runs, with three centuries) and at home towards England (604 runs and counting) and each and every of his masses bordered on the sublime. After driving Australia to victory in Brisbane with 141* and Perth with 239, Smith denied England victory with an unbeaten 102* on the MCG. The short two-Test tour of Bangladesh was an aberration towards such gorging, however it did come with a crucial 58 in the second one Test to assist finish the sequence 1-1.
Reuters Image
6 Shakib Al Hasan M 7 I 14 Runs 665 HS 217 Avg 47.50 100x2 50x3 W 29 BB 5/68 5x2
His critics - and there are many - will level to Shakib opting out of Bangladesh's tour of South Africa, but focusing purely on the fits he did play, the top-ranked Test allrounder had a bumper 12 months. In January, he eclipsed Bangladesh's earlier best possible person rating, hitting 217 in New Zealand. Then he left an imprint on the crew's first victory over Sri Lanka with the only real century of what was Bangladesh's 100th Test. Nothing could peak, on the other hand, his counter-attacking 84 and 10/153 in a historic defeat of Australia.
Getty Image
7 Ben Stokes M 7 I 12 Runs 527 HS 112 Avg 43.91 100x2 50x4 W 16 BB 6/22 SR 58.6
Before he overlooked the Ashes as a result of a drunken bar drawl, Stokes saved up his recognition as essentially the most thrilling allrounder. Put England forward 2-1 within the 0.33 Test towards South Africa with a crackling 112, which incorporated three successive sixes to get to his hundred. In the following Test, a crucial 58 within the first innings. Scored 100 and 58 in a loss to West Indies, and within the deciding Test ripped during the guests with 6/22 in 14.3 overs on day one at Lord's to put England on track for victory.
Getty Image
8 Quinton de Kock (wk) M I Runs 619 HS 101 Ave 36.41 100x1 50x4 Ct 45 St 5
The maximum a success wicketkeeper of the 12 months, and a handy batsman to have at No 8. Safe in the back of the stumps, taking essentially the most catches of all glovemen. Scored his runs at a strike-rate of 73.25. Struggled in England, where he managed two fifties in eight innings, but was influential in beating Sri Lanka and New Zealand with innings of 101, 91 and 90.
Getty Image
9 Kagiso Rabada M 11 W 57 BB 6/55 Avg 20.28 SR 37.8 5x3 10x2
The maximum a success rapid bowler of 2017. Began the 12 months via blowing away Sri Lanka in a 282-run shellacking at Cape Town, struggled in New Zealand, but 16 wickets in three Tests in England - he would have had extra if he hadn't been suspended for one recreation - and a tenth ten-wicket haul towards Bangladesh noticed him become some of the youngest bowlers to take 100 wickets. Rabada ended 2017 at a career-high No 3 on the ICC Test bowlers desk.
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10 Nathan Lyon M 11 W 63 BB 8/50 Avg 23.55 SR 52.2 5x5 10x1
The best possible wicket-taker of the 12 months, with an imprint on each and every sequence he played in. In India, Lyon helped Australia stun the hosts within the sequence opener, and then claimed a report 8/50 on day some of the moment Test. In Bangladesh, he took 9 wickets in a surprise defeat within the first Test and then 13 to steer Australia's revival on the decider. Six of those got here in a marathon second-innings spell as he recorded the second-best match figures via an Australian spinner. Then got here a starring position to assist regain the Ashes - 17 wickets in 4 Tests, sending Australia into 2018 on a excessive.
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11 James Anderson M 11 W 55 BB 7/42 Avg 17.58 SR 46.4 5x4
The lowest moderate and economic system of all bowlers in 2017. Touched No 1 within the ICC rankings. Became the 0.33 rapid bowler to get to 500 Test wickets. Remarkable, given than Anderson is 35 and has played 133 Test fits. Four five-wicket hauls, together with a career-best 7/42 to steamroll West Indies at Lord's, plus 4 and 3 as South Africa were smashed at Old Trafford. Should had been part of a well-known victory in Adelaide after taking 5/43. Shows no sign of fading.
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12th guy: Ravindra Jadeja M 10 I 14 Runs 328 HS 70* Avg 41 50x4 W 54 BB 6/63 SR 56.5
India's second-highest wicket-taker in 2017. Better moderate, strike-rate and economic system than R Ashwin, in a single Test fewer. Twice Man of the Match for roles in series-clinching wins over Australia in Dharamsala and Sri Lanka in Colombo. Man of the Series for 25 wickets as India beat Australia 2-1 and regained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Became No 1 bowler and allrounder in Tests. Second quickest to 150 Tests and the quickest left-arm spinner.
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TOI Sport’s Test XI of the year
![TOI Sport’s Test XI of the year]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
January 01, 2018
Rating:
