Here, we take a look at 11 players who make the cut in the longest format of the game for men’s cricket.
Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)
The Sri Lanka skipper is a deserved addition to the team, as he consistently got his team off to solid starts during the calendar year. He scored 902 runs in 7 matches at an average of 69.38 with four centuries. Some of his memorable innings included a double-century against Bangladesh in Pallekele and a gutsy ton against South Africa at Johannesburg. For his performances, he was nominated for the ICC Men’s Test Player of the Year award.
Rohit Sharma (India)
Rohit Sharma came into his own as an opener in the longest format of the game. He cracked 906 runs in the calendar year at an average of 47.68 with two centuries. Both of the centuries were memorable knocks in contrasting conditions against England – one at home in Chennai and the other in overcast conditions away from home at the Oval. With key assignments coming up, Sharma will have a key role to play for India in 2022.
Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)
2022 was a memorable year for Marnus Labuschagne as he continue to score runs in bulk while further cementing his position as Australia’s long-term No.3. His exploits also led him to ascend to the top of the charts of the MRF Tyres ICC Test Player Rankings for batting. In 5 matches, Labuschagne scored 526 runs at an average of 65.75 with two centuries.
Joe Root (England)
2021 belonged to England skipper Joe Root despite his team struggling for results in the longest form of the game. It was a year for the ages for Joe Root as he cracked 1708 runs in 15 matches at an average 61. He also six tons, all being memorable in nature and of the highest order. His 1708 runs are the third-most scored in a calendar year in the history of Test cricket.
Kane Williamson (c) (New Zealand)
Leading the 2021 ICC Test Team of the Year, Kane Williamson was an influential leader for New Zealand, leading them to glory at the inaugural World Test Championship Final against India in Southampton. He was also steady with the bat, scoring 395 runs in 4 matches at an average of 65.83 with one century.