Test cricket took a backseat last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. There were just a few Tests played in 2020. But there were some action-packed performances in Test cricket last year. New Zealand won all the Tests they played last year. They defeated India 2-0, West Indies 2-0, and got the better of Pakistan in the first Test of the two-match Test series played last year. Cricwizz takes a look at the best Test XI of 2020.
Openers
Dom Sibley (England)
He is the second-highest run-getter in Test cricket in 2020. He scored 615 runs @ 47.30 with 2 tons and 2 fifties in 9 Tests last year. He has made a promising start to his Test career so far. And if he clicks, it will solve England’s opening woes after Alastair Cook’s retirement from Test cricket.
Dean Elgar (South Africa)
The South Africa opener is known for his gutsy innings, and although he could not get a ton in 2020, he did enough to get a place as the opener in the best Test XI of 2020. He scored 317 runs @ 45.28 with 2 fifties in 4 Tests in 2020.
Middle-order
Kane Williamson (New Zealand, captain)
What a year Williamson had in Test cricket last year. He struck 2 tons and a fifty in the 4 Tests he played last year, and emerged the Test batsman No 1 of 2020. He led New Zealand to series win over India and West Indies. He aggregated 498 runs @ 83.00 in 4 Tests. He also gets to lead this XI for having won all the Tests he captained New Zealand in 2020.
Babar Azam (Pak)
Azam has been named the Most Valuable Cricketer by the Pakistan Cricket Board. He has been their best player for a few seasons. In 2020, he has an above-average year, aggregating 338 runs @ 67.60 in 4 Tests, with 1 ton and 2 fifties.
Jermaine Blackwood (WI)
He was the only silver lining for West Indies in an otherwise forgettable Test year. Blackwood cracked 427 @ 42.70 with 1 ton and 3 fifties in 5 Tests. But it was timing of his knocks, which came when chips were down, that got him a place in this XI.
All-rounder
Ben Stokes (England)
Stokes emerged the highest run-getter in 2020, aggregating 641 runs @ 58.27 in seven Tests last year. He struck 2 tons and 2 fifties, and also led England in one Test, but failed to win it. He also took 19 wickets for his team last year.
Keeper
Jos Buttler (England)
Buttler emerged the best keeper-batsman in 2020, managing 497 runs @ 38.23 in 9 Tests, the fifth most runs in 2020. He also had the most dismissals as keeper last year, managing 30 dismissals with the gloves.
Pace bowlers
Stuart Broad (England)
Pace bowlers have had a great year, with Stuart Broad leading the pack and emerging the highest wicket-taker in 2020. He managed 38 wickets @ 14.76 in 8 Tests last year. During the year, he also crossed 500 Test wickets. His best performance with the ball came in the Manchester Test against West Indies, bagging 10 for 67.
Tim Southee (New Zealand)
Last year, Southee of New Zealand proved he is a better Test bowler than he is rated to be. He led the New Zealand bowling attack last year, beating New Zealand’s top bowler Trent Boult. Southee bagged 30 wickets last year @ 17.03 in 5 Tests last year, with the best match haul of 9/110 against India. In comparison, Boult managed 20 wickets in 5 Tests last year.
Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand)
Jamieson was the under-rated bowler in Test cricket in 2020, as he made his presence felt despite stalwarts in squad such as Boult, Southee, and Neil Wagner. Jamieson also produced q few useful cameos lower down the order. He was the third highest wicket-taker in Test cricket last year, taking 25 wickets @ 14.44 in 5 Tests.
Spinner
Nathan Lyon (Australia)
Lyon had a tough competition for the lone spinner’s spot in this XI with Yasir Shah of Pakistan, but the Australian off-spinner won the race thanks to his better bowling average of 18.78 compared to Yasir’s 35.72 last year. Lyon took 14 wickets in 3 Tests last year, with 2 five wicket hauls.
Cover image: Kane Williamson's Facebook page
