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Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara, Angelo Mathews and
Rangana Herath also in the reckoning:
Kiwis up with best players in World XI
Brendon McCullum opening with David Warner, would set
the world on fire:
As the calendar rolls over, it's time to reflect on what we've seen
on the test cricket fields of 2014. So how about a world test XI for the
year? Time for some fun.
It's not an exact science, no pure statistics-based calculation. More
a personal appreciation of what has been achieved in the course of the
42 tests of the year. Starting at the top ... You might not fancy the
cut of his jib, but pugnacious Australian David Warner must be in.
Consider his 1136 runs in 18 innings, at 63.11 apiece. For an opener,
those are outstanding numbers.
They include six centuries, with a brace at Centurion setting up a
245-run win over South Africa - 280 runs off 308 balls off Dale Steyn,
Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel; two in Adelaide teed up Australia to
take an early lead against India in the current series.
Brendon McCullum to open with Warner. His year has been well
documented - 1164 runs at 72.75, four big centuries, topped by the first
triple-ton by a New Zealander.. Throw in five test wins, a record, and
it was some year for the man who can bat anywhere. No3 is a problem.
Kane Williamson has had a special year, yet trails Kumar Sangakkara
by more than 500 runs. Sangakkara's four hundreds among a table topping
1493 runs at 71.09 did include a triple against Bangladesh but he is all
class, and was world No1 ranked batsman until a couple of days ago.
He's 37 but age seems not to be wearying him, even though, after 129
matches, his test journey has just about run its course.
Younis Khan is unlucky here but Sri Lanka's skipper Angelo Mathews
appeals as a heroic leader for his country. His two centuries in
England, 102 at Lord's to save a test; 160 at Leeds to help Sri Lanka to
a 100-run win, were key parts in his 1317 runs at 87.8. Six of his last
10 innings have produced 50 or more.
Australia's new, if temporary, captain Steve Smith scored 1146 runs
at 81.85 with five centuries.
He began his year with 115 against England at the SCG, added a ton at
Centurion against South Africa before touching up the Indians to the
tune of 162 not out, 52 not out, 133, 28, 192 and 14 as he dipped his
toes into captaincy for the first time. Wicket-keeper has to be AB de
Villiers, who doubles as the world's No1-ranked batsman.
Only 631 runs in 2014 at 48.53, but he ensures a formidable batting
lineup and reliable glove work. One spinner only and it has to be Sri
Lanka's Rangana Herath, who snared a table-topping 60 wickets at 27.45.
He took 14 for 184 against Pakistan in Colombo, indeed 32 wickets in his
last three matches. Economical, rarely bowled a poor ball, and grabbed
13 more wickets than anyone else. That'll do. Australian Mitchell
Johnson brought pace and hostility, plus 47 wickets at 23.27 in the
year.
He took 22 in three tests in South Africa and put serious wind up
opponents. Dale Steyn is not ranked No1 without good reason. He took 39
wickets at 19.56, including 13 in two tests in Colombo, 12 in three
against Australia.
He's got the eyes for the job and is at the top of his game. Jimmy
Anderson took 40 at 22.15 for England, but all were in England, so no
variety of workplace to test him further. Still he's proven and is in.
Finally, let's make a home town call.
Trent Boult it is, by a whisker from Tim Southee. Boult took wickets
in the Caribbean, the UAE and at home and his new ball swing work is as
good as there is going around.. Boult and Anderson swinging away at both
ends would be a real treat. A 12th man: It has to be Williamson.
- NZ Herald
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