The International Cricket Council (ICC) has recently unveiled its much-anticipated Test Team of the Year for 2023, with several notable exclusions and inclusions that have caught the eye of cricket enthusiasts around the globe. Handpicked for his exceptional leadership and performance, Australian skipper Pat Cummins has been named the captain of this elite squad after a formidable year that saw him guiding Australia to triumph in the World Test Championship against India. His captaincy has been underpinned by an outstanding run as the leading wicket-taker in Test matches for the year, with a haul of 42 wickets across 11 games.
The Australian contingent has made a significant impression in this year’s ICC lineup, with Cummins being joined by compatriots Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc. Khawaja’s bat spoke volumes as he racked up a staggering 1210 runs in 13 Tests. Head made his mark with an impressive tally of 919 runs, including a pivotal century in the WTC Final that won’t be easily forgotten. Adding to the Australian dominance, wicketkeeper Alex Carey secured his place through his agile glove work resulting in 44 catches and 10 stumping to his name, while Starc’s blistering pace clinched him 38 wickets in just nine matches.
Contrary to expectations, Indian cricket stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli were left out of the ICC Test Team of the Year, a development likely to stir up much conversation among cricket’s avid followers. Instead, the Indian representation was shouldered by all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and spin wizard Ravichandran Ashwin. Jadeja’s versatility on the field shone throughout last year, whereas Ashwin’s prowess with the ball was on full display as he bagged 25 wickets in the Border Gavaskar Trophy within four Tests, following it up with a 15-wicket bounty during India’s series against the West Indies.
The batting lineup in the ICC Test Team of the Year is further bolstered by the inclusion of Dimuth Karunaratne, Joe Root, and Kane Williamson, each having demonstrated a year of consistent run-scoring against the world’s premier bowling attacks. However, Australia’s Steve Smith found himself on the outside looking in after an uncharacteristic slump in form throughout 2023.
When it comes to the bowling department, the English veteran Stuart Broad has been given the nod, marking a fitting tribute to his last year in international cricket. Broad will lend his experience and skill to a bowling attack that already includes the likes of the fearsome Australian duo of Cummins and Starc.
The final ICC Test Team of the Year 2023 reads as a veritable who’s who of cricketing talent:
– Openers: Usman Khawaja and Dimuth Karunaratne
– Middle-order: Kane Williamson, Joe Root, and Travis Head
– All-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja
– Wicketkeeper: Alex Carey
– Bowlers: Pat Cummins (captain), Ravi Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, and Stuart Broad
The announcement has sparked various reactions, ranging from debates over the merits of selections to pride in national representatives who made the cut. Compounded with this was the surprise of Cummins missing out on the ODI Team of the Year, highlighted by the ICC in their related stories, which also covered strategies to dismiss Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s doppelganger sighting. This selection stands as testimony to the dynamic and unpredictable nature of Test cricket, reflecting both the individual brilliance of the players and the changing fortunes in an ever-evolving sport.
