In the latest issue of Wisden Cricket Monthly, an expert panel of writers and broadcasters selected their men’s Test team of the year based on performances between November 15, 2017 and November 20, 2018.
To read Wisden Cricket Monthly‘s teams of the year in full, pick up a copy of the January 2019 issue
Words: Phil Walker
1. AIDEN MARKRAM, SOUTH AFRICA
10 Tests, 785 runs at 41.31; 3 hundreds, 2 fifties
THE STANDOUT
152 (216 balls, 17 fours, 1 six)
South Africa v Australia | Fourth Test, Johannesburg, March 2018
A second ton of the series (after a brilliant 143 in the defeat at Durban), and a first chance after the Cape Town palaver to really rub Australian noses in it. By the fourth Test, Markram had evolved his technique, batting more on off-stump, ignoring anything outside his eyeline and creaming the full ones past extra cover.
With the Kallis crouch, the wrist-cocking backlift straight out of the AB playbook and Graeme Smith’s bat sponsor, the look was pretty much complete. “It was the best innings I’ve ever played,” he said.
2. DIMUTH KARUNARATNE, SRI LANKA
9 Tests, 632 runs at 39.50; 1 hundred, 6 fifties
THE STANDOUT
158* (222 balls, 13 fours, 1 six)
Sri Lanka v South Africa | First Test, Galle, July 2018
India may have been inept at Lord’s and out of luck, with the game a blowout as a result, but Anderson was still unplayable, removing both of their opening batsmen in each innings for a combined total of 18 runs. In the process he went past 100 Test wickets at Lord’s, becoming after Murali just the second man ever to take 100-plus Test wickets at a single venue, records now falling by the week.
11. MOHAMMAD ABBAS, PAKISTAN
6 Tests, 38 wickets at 12.52, 3 five-wicket hauls, 1 ten-wicket match, strike rate 33
THE STANDOUT
5-33 & 5-62
Pakistan v Australia | Abu Dhabi, Second Test, October 2018
We can look at the figures and gawp, but this is what’s possible when a bowler is as accurate as Abbas. Try to process this: of the 76 balls he bowled during his 5-33, over a third (34.6 per cent) would have gone on to hit the stumps. There’s no pace to talk of, little overt athleticism and barely any physical presence, but it doesn’t matter. Precision is everything.
It matters neither where in the world he bowls. He saw off England at Lord’s, and did the same to Australia in the desert. In the process he’s become the second-fastest man to 50 Test wickets.
Who did we miss? Let us know on Twitter @WisdenCricket or email editorial@wisden.com
Also read:
Wisden’s women’s team of the year
Wisden’s ODI team of the year
