Table of Contents
In the midst of the excitement and fanfare surrounding the ODI World Cup 2023, Test cricket has managed to not only hold its ground but thrive as a timeless and revered format of the sport.
Test cricket in 2023
The success of Test cricket lies in its unique characteristics – providing a platform for strategic battles, enduring displays of skill, and a connection to the sport’s historical roots. While the ODI World Cup showcased the thrill of limited-overs cricket with its high-scoring encounters and nail-biting finishes, Test cricket maintained its appeal through its longer, more contemplative nature. The global Test calendar played a crucial role in sustaining the presence of this format, ensuring that top cricketing nations engaged in meaningful and competitive series throughout the year. The consistent high-quality cricket played by teams across various conditions contributed to the enduring charm of Test matches.
Harsha Bhogle’s picks for Test Team of the Year 2023
Notably, as the year draws to a close, renowned cricket analyst and commentator Harsha Bhogle have underscored the significance of Test cricket by curating his Test XI of the year. This selection process not only highlights outstanding individual performances but also reinforces the enduring importance of Test cricket in the broader cricketing landscape. In crafting his Test playing XI, esteemed cricket analyst Bhogle opted for a diverse blend of talent, featuring four cricketers from England, three from Australia, and two each from India and New Zealand.
Dynamic openers
The team boasts of openers Usman Khawaja and Zak Crawley. Bhogle praised Khawaja’s exceptional form, accumulating over 1000 runs at an impressive average of 55.61. While acknowledging Rohit Sharma’s contributions, he favoured Crawley, who amassed 606 runs in 15 innings at an average of 43.28.
“The first was the easiest to pick. There really was one standout opener in Test Cricket across 22 and 23. The only one to score more than 1000 runs, Usman Khawaja, who made 1,168 runs at the time of recording this at an average of 55.61, is just in awesome form on the ground,”
“Where did Rohit Sharma get his runs? He got them in the West Indies. Not his fault that he was playing against easier opposition. He got his runs in the West Indies; he got his runs in India. I went with the fact that Zak Crawley was playing against very good bowling sides in those conditions almost throughout. And so Zak Crawley is my second opener,”
Also READ: BCCI announces Mohammed Shami’s replacement for 2nd Test against South Africa
Rock-solid middle order
At the pivotal No. 3 and No. 4 positions, Bhogle selected Kane Williamson from New Zealand and Joe Root from England, recognizing their stellar performances in red-ball cricket. Root scored 787 runs at an average of 65.58, while Williamson notched up 695 runs at an average of 57.91. For the No. 5 spot, Bhogle opted for Harry Brook over Virat Kohli and Travis Head, citing Brook’s impactful performances for England.
Versatile all-rounders and surprising wicketkeeping choice
The all-rounder roles were bestowed upon India’s spin duo, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who collectively secured 73 wickets. In a surprising choice for the wicketkeeper position, Bhogle selected Tom Blundell.
Fantabulous pace-bowling attack: No place for Pat Cummins
The pace-bowling trio in Bhogle’s lineup includes England’s Stuart Broad, along with Australian bowlers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Notably, Bhogle omitted players like Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon from his Test XI. Stuart Broad, having announced his retirement after the Ashes 2023 series, found a place in Bhogle’s selection.
