Year in Review: Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018

The year 2018 didn't have a single ICC event in men's cricket. However, it was a sheer treat for those who love the longest format of the game. There were some intense battles in the whites and some memorable victories, home and away. As the year comes to an end, we have compiled the list of best performers for Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018. There were many who challenged to be a part of the best XI. Many players from around the cricketing world were fantastic throughout the year. Cricadium has picked the best XI that stood above the rest.

Presenting Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018

#1 Tom Latham

It was a forgettable year for the openers. Some big names of Test cricket like Alastair Cook, Murali Vijay found it hard going. All and all, the pitches around the globe posed a tough challenge, especially with the new ball. That's why the openers had a torrid time. But there was one opener who stood out. Tom Latham of New Zealand had the best stats amongst the openers. From 7 Tests, the left-hander scored 658 runs at an average of 59.81. He also had 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries to his name with 264* being the highest score. He was pivotal in New Zealand's victories against Pakistan in UAE and Sri Lanka at home.

#2 Kusal Mendis

Apart from Latham, no other opener had daunting stats, worthy of finding a place in Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018. So, we have picked a batsman who can serve as a makeshift opener. Kusal Mendis of Sri Lanka has batted at the top in the past and possesses the technique to tackle the new ball. The right-hander is only one of the 2 batsmen who could score over 1000 runs in 2018. In 12 matches, he accumulated 1023 runs at an average of 46.5. He notched up 3 hundreds and 5 fifties. The most valuable contribution from Mendis came against New Zealand when he scored 141 from 335 balls to save the first Test in Wellington.

#3 Joe Root

You would normally associate Joe Root with having wonderful stats at the end of the year. Although he finished as the third highest run-getter of 2018, yet the numbers aren't as good as he has accumulated in the past. He made 948 runs from 13 Tests, averaging 41.21. He made 2 centuries and 4 half-centuries as well. One of the biggest reasons why Root finds a place in Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018 is his captaincy throughout the year. Under his leadership, England won 4-1 against India and then went on to clinch a historic series win in Sri Lanka. In both the series, batting wasn't easy. Earlier, he faced a top-class pace attack of India and tackled spin in Sri Lanka. Hence, there was a dip in the average but Root did well enough to feature in Test XI of 2018.

#4 Virat Kohli

While all the other batsmen were struggling to score runs this year, one man was class apart. Virat Kohli once again proved why he is regarded as the best batsman of the modern era. He was the only batsman who consistently scored runs throughout the year. Kohli finished the year as the highest run-getter in the longest format of the game. He was certainly the first pick in Test XI of 2018. The Indian captain amassed 1322 runs from 13 matches and averaged 55.08. He notched up 5 centuries and as many half-centuries. India had a tough time in 2018 as they traveled to South Africa, England and Australia. While the other batsmen contributed in Australia, Kohli was the sole flag-bearer in South Africa and England. After his failure on the last England tour, he made an astounding comeback this time and gathered close to 600 runs to answer all the critics.

#5 Kane Williamson

While Kohli stood miles apart from others, Kane Williamson gave him a good challenge. The Kiwi skipper also had a terrific year with the bat. Earlier, against Pakistan, he was outstanding and led from the front to clinch a historic win in UAE. He was the standout batsman of the tour as he scored 386 runs in 3 Tests. Then, at home against Sri Lanka, the conditions were familiar and he took full toll of it. New Zealand didn't play too much Test cricket this year. The Kiwis played just 7 Tests in which the captain made 651 runs, averaging 59.18. He also scored 2 centuries and 3 fifties. Williamson went about his business quietly and scripted a wonderful year for New Zealand in the longest format.

#6 Jos Buttler

Just like the openers, wicketkeepers too didn't enjoy a great run in 2018. Jos Buttler just kept wickets in a solitary Test this year. However, he is well equipped to keep both against seam and spin. He already has a serious record in white ball cricket and slowly but surely, the right-hander is making a mark in Test cricket as well. This year, Buttler featured in 10 Tests for England. He scored 760 runs at an average of 44.7. He finished the year as the fifth highest run-getter. And amongst the top 10 run-getters, he had the highest strike rate of 68.1. Buttler also had a century and 5 half-centuries to his name.

#7 Sam Curran

India's tour of England in 2018 showcased the rise of a superstar. England already had a world-class all-rounder in Ben Stokes who was constantly featuring in World XIs for the last few years. But this year, his new teammate has outclassed him. Sam Curran was the brightest debutant of 2018. He was one of the premier reasons for England's win over India. The young man played his first Test against India at Edgbaston and immediately made a mark. He performed both with bat and ball and won the Man of the Match. In the end, he was also adjudged the Man of the Series. The left-hander showcased his all-round skills throughout the series. At the end of 2018, Curran has 404 runs to his name with 3 fifties and an average of 36.72. Also, he took 14 wickets with 74/4 being his best performance in an innings.

#8 Pat Cummins

After the suspension of Steve Smith and David Warner, Australia struggled massively in 2018. Tim Paine was made the captain and he was searching for inspiration in the field. Where there weren't too many who promised, Pat Cummins was the first one who delivered consistently. While Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are always rated highly, Cummins was the standout fast bowler in 2018 for Australia. He took 44 wickets from 8 Tests at a brilliant average of 19.97. With the bat too, he made some handy contributions lower down the order, especially in the Tests again India.

#9 Kagiso Rabada

The moment Kagiso Rabada surfaced in international cricket, we knew that a future superstar had risen. Day by day, game by game, the stature of the pacer has grown. The youngster has transformed himself into a fearsome fast bowler these days. At a very young age of 23, he is already the go-to man of the South African bowling attack. This year, he finished as the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket. From 10 Tests, the pacer bagged 52 wickets at a superlative average of 20.07. His performance throughout the year was superb and as a result, he is holding on to the No.1 position in the ICC Rankings for Test bowlers.

#10 Nathan Lyon

It's never easy being a spinner born and brought up in Australia. The surfaces down under offer assistance to the seamers and the spinners, more often than not, do the holding job. But Nathan Lyon has developed himself as good a wicket-taker as any in the world even on unresponsive pitches. His lines and lengths are immaculate that give him heaps of wickets. Amongst the spinners, he has the second highest wickets this year, only one behind Sri Lanka's Dilruwan Perera. Lyon took 49 wickets from 10 Tests at an economy rate of 2.7 that earned him a place in Test XI of 2018.

#11 Jasprit Bumrah

Jasprit Bumrah, a name you would associate, a year ago, with white ball cricket. But this year, the Indian pacer showed that he possesses the skills to shine even in the longest format. Bumrah made his debut in Test cricket in South Africa and made a mark straightaway. In no time, he became the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli. Bumrah played 9 Tests this year, all in South Africa, England and Australia. He is yet to play a Test in India. He took 48 wickets at an average of just 21.02 and an economy of 2.65. Bumrah also became the only Asian bowler to take five-wicket hauls in South Africa, England and Australia in a calendar year. With his superlative run, he earned a place in Test XI of 2018 in his debut year itself. Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadiumon Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Year in Review: Cricadium’s Best Test XI of 2018

#2 Kusal Mendis

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