On Tuesday (23rd January), the International Cricket Council (ICC) revealed the Test Team of the Year 2023. What caught the attention of many was Indian duo of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli didn’t feature in the team, which has just two Indians in the team.
Australia opener Usman Khawaja has been slotted as the top-order batter in the ICC Test Team of the Year 2023. The Southpaw played a massive role for the team while opening for his team and played some breathtaking innings both at home as well as overseas.
Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne will be accompanying Khawaja at the top of the ICC Test Team of the Year. The opening batter was decent with the bat for his team as he amassed 608 runs at an average of 60.8. He also captained the team well and made his way into the team of 2023.
New Zealand batter Kane Williamson, who is also the No.1 ranked Test batter, has been slotted by ICC at No.3 in the Test Team of the Year. The batter was one of the major reasons behind Kiwi’s success. In 2023, the right-hander scored 695 with 4 centuries to his name.
Joe Root also has made the cut into the Test Team of the Year 2023 for his heroics in the longest format of the game. The batter displayed great performances in overseas conditions and then was one of the key performers for England in the Ashes 2023, which ended in a draw.
Australia’s Travis Head, who racked up a big ton in the ICC World Test Championship Final, has been picked at No.5 in the Test Team of the Year. The batter was the major reason behind the team’s dominance in the longest format of the game. He mustered 919 in 12 matches throughout the year.
Ravindra Jadeja has found a place as an all-rounder in the team. The southpaw was brilliant with bat and ball in the Tests in 2023 as he picked wickets in chunks and also scored crucial runs for the team. Australia’s Alex Carey has been drafted in as keeper-batter in the team. He had 54 dismissals under his belt in 2023 and also was handy with the bat.
Australia captain Pat Cummins has been handed the responsibility to lead the Test Team of the Year. The fast bowler was brilliant with his leadership skills in 2023 and guided his team to the WTC win. He also was on the top of his game with the ball and 42 wickets in 11 matches.
Ravichandran Ashwin, who is also the nominee for ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year made the cut into the team. He was exciting with the ball and played a huge for for his team. Micthell Starc is the No.10 in the ICC Test Team of the Year with 38 wickets in nine matches. He was a class apart in the longest format of the game in 2021.
England’s Stuart Broad, who announced his retirement from Test cricket after Ashes 2023, has also been included in the Test Team. He was the leading wicket-taker for England in Ashes with 23 scalps to his name. The pacer ended his career on high as he picked wicket on the last ball he bowled in his career.
ICC Announces Test Team Of The Year 2023
Here’s ICC’s Test Team Of The Year 2023:
Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Travis Head, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Stuart Broad
