The year 2017 is coming to an end with a handful of limited overs matches remaining and the historic four-day Day-Night Test between South Africa and Zimbabwe and the fourth Ashes test between Australia and England remaining.
But before the year ends, achievers during the year have to be acknowledged and batsmen and bowlers who have been consistent throughout the year need to be given their due credits. Therefore, COC brings to you the best eleven (plus one) from the Test cricket in 2017.
Presenting to you the COC Test XI of the year 2017:
DAVID WARNER (AUS)
808 runs in 10 Tests with a best of 123
David Warner proved to be one of the pillars for Australia during the early part of the year. He scored brilliant ton against Pakistan and then scored two centuries against Bangladesh. His Ashes 2017 moment was the 87* in the 10 wicket win in the Brisbane Test.
DEAN ELGAR (SA)
1097 runs in 11 Tests with 5 centuries and best of 199
Dean Elgar will be one to watch when India and South Africa clash in January next year. Elgar smashed 1097 runs in 11 Tests with 5 centuries and a best of 199 against Bangladesh. He also hit centuries against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and England to prove that he could score runs easily outside South Africa as well.
CHETESHWAR PUJARA (IND)
1140 runs in 11 Tests with a best 202 and four centuries
Cheteshwar Pujara is currently the top scorer with 1140 runs in 11 Tests in 2017. He scored 2 back to back hundreds against Sri Lanka and also scored a double century- 202 against Australia in the Ranchi Test. He will be the key for Indian batting when India goes to South Africa for three Tests next year.
VIRAT KOHLI (IND-CAPTAIN)
1059 runs in 10 Tests with a best of 243 and 3 double hundreds
Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain to score 10 centuries in international cricket in 2017. He also scored back to back double hundreds against Sri Lanka and with 1059 runs in 10 Tests, proved that he is the best Indian batsman in the world today.
STEVE SMITH (AUS)
1127 runs in 10 Tests with four double hundreds and best of 239
Steve Smith is scoring on the level of Bradman currently and with a scintillating 239 against England in the WACA test win, confirmed his credential as the best batsman in the world today. He also scored 1000 plus runs in a calendar year for the fourth consecutive time, equaling the record of former Australian opener Matthew Hayden.
MUSHFIQUR RAHIM (BAN- WK)
766 runs in 8 Tests with a best of 159
Mushfiqur Rahim did wonders against New Zealand, as his 159 helped Shakib give New Zealand a mighty scare in the Wellington Test earlier this year. He has been in good form with 2 centuries and 3 fifties this year and was decent behind the stumps.
NATHAN LYON (AUS)
60 wickets in 10 Tests with best bowling in innings of 8/50
Nathan Lyon scripted a wonderful win for Australia in Pune Test against India with his best bowling figures ever of 8/50. He has had a good year with 60 wickets to his name in 10 Tests. He has also taken 14 wickets in the on-going Ashes series in 3 Tests.
RAVICHANDRAN ASHWIN (IND)
56 wickets in 11 Tests and a best bowling in match of 8/125
R Ashwin has taken 56 wickets in 11 Tests this year and became the fastest bowler to reach 300 Test wickets in just 54 Tests. Presence of Chahal and Kuldeep in the limited overs set up for India has restricted Ashwin to Test matches only for the better part of 2017 and this has helped him concentrate on Tests and that has helped the Indian team.
His biggest Test will come against South Africa in the three Tests next year, as he has to prove that he can be effective outside India as well.
KAGISO RABADA (SA)
54 wickets in 10 Tests with a best bowling in match of 10/63
22 year old South African pacer Kagiso Rabada has enthralled everyone with his pace and swing. He has picked 54 wickets in 10 Tests with a best bowling figures of 10/63 in the Test match against Bangladesh.
He has led the South African pace attack along with Chris Morris and Vernon Philander with ease, with his pace being the trump card for the Proteas bowling attack.
South Africa needs to take care of this young fast bowlers, who is definitely on the road for greatness in the world of cricket.
SHANNON GABRIEL (WI)
34 wickets in 9 Tests with Best Bowling in match of 9/92
Shannon Gabriel has been the shining light for West Indies Test cricket this year. He has 34 wickets in 9 Tests in 2017. He picked 9/92 against Pakistan in the second Test at Bridgetown, which included a haul of 5/11, leading Windies to the win.
YASIR SHAH (PAK)
43 wickets in 6 Tests with Best bowling in innings of 7/94
Yasir Shah picked up 43 wickets in 6 Tests this year with amazing bowling figures of 7/94 against West Indies. Yasir Shah has not made anyone miss Saeed Ajmal in Test cricket for Pakistan, as he raced to become the fastest Pakistani bowler to 50 Test wickets.
SHAKIB AL HASAN (BAN) – 12th Man
29 wickets and 665 runs in 7 Tests with highest score of 217 and best bowling in match of 10/153
Shakib Al Hasan is the 12th man of this COC Test XI with 29 wickets and 665 runs in just 7 Tests this year. He scored a brilliant 217 against New Zealand in Wellington Test and picked a match winning 10/153 in Bangladesh’s historic win over Australia in Dhaka.
Shakib Al Hasan became only the fourth bowler in Test history to take a five-wicket haul against all current Test playing nations.
