Best Test XI of the Year 2019

When the decade is ending and moving onto a new one, cricket fans are reminiscing the year gone by, through memories of the best test players of the year. The year 2019 started with India’s Australia tour followed by the Indian Premiere League, ICC World Cup, and lastly the Ashes Trophy; all these events have given us some amazing performances to remember.

However, Test cricket is still the Holy Grail as far as the beautiful game is concerned and there were some players who managed to make their mark in this format as well.

Here’s taking a look at the Best possible Test XI for 2019

Mayank Agarwal

He garnered the attention of the selectors in 2018 and this is the reason he was selected for India’s test tour to West Indies. Unfortunately, he could not play in the entire series but he got to play in the Australia tour due to Prithvi Shaw’s injury. With his sudden chance he did not miss an opportunity to perform and gave his best in the entire series. He faced Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Pat Cummins with aplomb. After that he showed his best form in the home series against Bangladesh and South Africa. It will be incomplete without mentioning his score as he scored 340 runs in this outing with a century to his name. He was the 2^nd highest scorer in three series’ for India. With 754 runs in 8 matches, he is one of the highest Test run scorers of the year with an average of 68.

Rohit Sharma

It was a favorable season for an experienced player like Rohit Sharma as well. He has been criticized often for his lack of Test runs but he turned things around in 2019. The team management asked him to finally play in the opening position and he capitalized big-time on the opportunity. He scored 556 runs in five games at a mind boggling average of 92.66. Rohit Sharma additionally demonstrated his ability to score big and how!

Marnus Labuschagne

This flamboyant batsman from Australia replaced Steve Smith and wasted no time to perform for his country as soon as he got an opportunity to play. He scored 185 and 162 and remained not out for 110 runs in the last Test match. He scored 1,022 runs in 15 innings and his average is 68 runs per match. Along with that, he also has 3 centuries and six half-centuries to his name in some really mind-boggling numbers!

Steve Smith

He has always been a skillful player and with his excellent skills, he was able to revive his form in 2019. The former Australia captain performed remarkably well in England and scored 774 runs in 7 innings. He scored 144 and 142 runs in one match and 92 at Lords, 82 at Old Trafford, 80 at the Oval and 211 at Old Trafford. He scored 3 magnificent centuries and 3 fifties.

Virat Kohli

It has been a fantastic year for India’s skipper. He has been consistent in leading his team in this format and scored 611 runs in 11 innings. Kohli’s consistency continues to remain mind-boggling and he only seems to get better with every passing year.

Ben Stokes

The England all rounder has scored 772 runs in 19 innings with 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries. Stokes is having the best time in his career and this left handed batsman is showing his best performances that may continue into the upcoming year.

Quinton de Kock

The South African skipper has been good even though his country failed to win the last series. He scored 584 runs in 13 innings and his average is 44.92 runs per match. He has four fifties and a couple of centuries to his name.

Pat Cummins

Now coming to the bowlers, this Australian bowler is in peak form at the moment. He achieved 54 wickets in 21 games and has an average of 20.65. He is already being considered the number one bowler in the world at the moment.

Neil Wagner

The left handed bowler plays for New Zealand and 2019 has been a stellar year for him as well. He took 36 wickets in 9 innings and gave 35.7 runs per innings as his average.

Mohammad Shami

While talking about the best performing bowlers of 2019, how can you miss Mohammad Shami? This Indian fast bowler has taken 33 wickets in 16 innings and his economy rate is 2.85.

Nathan Lyon

Last but not the least, is the Australian spinner who has won the heart of thousands of cricket fans all across the world. He took 41 wickets and showed amazing consistency all throughout 2019 in this format. This is the best possible Test XI for 2019 and boy would it be a treat to actually line up these stalwarts and exciting young talents together on the field if that ever happens!