The ICC has revealed its best Test XI for 2023, with Australian captain Pat Cummins having been named as the team captain.
Rohit Sharma, despite being appointed captain of the Men’s One Day International (ODI) Team of the Year 2023, faced disappointment as he was left out of the ICC Test XI, announced on Tuesday. The ICC Men’s Test Team of the Year for 2023 showcased Australia’s dominance in the World Test Championship (WTC) playing XI, featuring five Australian players. The leader of this elite squad was the formidable Pat Cummins.
In the WTC last season, Virat Kohli exhibited his batting prowess, averaging above 45 and smashing 932 runs in 17 games. Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma, with 758 runs in 11 games, played a pivotal role in guiding India to the WTC final against Australia. Surprisingly, both Kohli and Rohit were absent from the star-studded WTC XI for 2023. The ICC Test team of the year included only two Indians, veteran all-rounders Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
Pat Cummins, who had an outstanding 2023, leading Australia to two significant ICC titles, was named captain of the ICC Test Team of the Year. Cummins played a crucial role in the memorable World Test Championship final against India at the Oval. Notably, five Australian players secured a spot in the ICC test team of the year 2023.
The openers for the team were Australia’s Usman Khawaja and Sri Lanka’s Dimuth Karunaratne. Usman Khawaja had a stellar year, accumulating 1210 runs in 13 test matches. Kane Williamson, the skipper of New Zealand, held the No. 3 position, leading his team to a remarkable test victory against Sri Lanka in Christchurch.
Joe Root, the England middle-order batter, occupied the No. 4 spot after a remarkable Ashes 2023 performance that helped England level the series after initially trailing 2-0. Travis Head, the hero of the WTC final against India, secured the No. 5 position with a match-winning century.
The team’s all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, added depth to the squad. Alex Carey was chosen as the wicket-keeper, while the pace attack comprised Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and the retired Stuart Broad, who bid farewell to cricket during the Ashes last year. Ravi Ashwin stood as the lone off-spinner. The captaincy reins were rightfully in the hands of Pat Cummins.
ICC Test Team of the Year 2023:
Usman Khawaja, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kane Williamson, Joe Root, Travis Head, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (C), R Ashwin, Mitchell Starc, Stuart Broad.
