The best Test XI of 2010

 
So, 2010 is in its last throes - a year that saw England retain the Ashes and win the World T20 in the Caribbean, India cement their position as the number one test side in the World, Pakistan cricket embroiled in even more turmoil and the swift descent of Australia to one of the also-rans.

It has also been a year of notable individual performances and that leads us to the Reverse Sweep's Test XI of the year:

1. Virender Sehwag (1422 Test runs at 61.82, 5 100s)- More brutality was wreaked on hapless bowling attacks as Sehwag piled up the runs at an astonishing strike rate of 90.80. Next best: Tamim Iqbal - the left-handed Sehwag

2. Hashim Amla (1249 runs at 78.06, 5 100s)- Arguably the batsman of the year - his feats in the mini-series in India where he scored 494 runs for once out proved to be the prelude to an annus mirabilis for Amla, who opens for our XI to accommodate who is to follow. Next best: Alastair Cook, who went on a journey from zero to hero in 2010

3. Jonathan Trott (1325 runs at 66.25, 4 100s)- The scourge of Australia looked in risk of losing his place at the start of the year, but from the start of the English summer Trott has averaged 93 in ten tests. Next best: Kumar Sangakkara - averaged 99.28, but only played six tests

4. Sachin Tendulkar (1562 runs at 78.10, 7 100s) - Like Amla, the Little Master had an annus mirabilis and was the leading run scorer in tests, recorded his 50th Test ton, celebrated 20 years in Test cricket and scored the first double hundred in ODI history. Not bad for a 37 year old. Next best: Thilan Samaraweera - the only man to average over 100 in tests in 2010 but like Sangakkara only played six tests

5. Jacques Kallis (1198 runs at 79.86, 6 100s; 12 wickets at 47.83) - Seems to get better and better, and finally got his first Test double hundred - his 38th in Tests - against India at Centurion to celebrate his sudden and miraculous hair growth. Next best: AB De Villiers - the third cog in South Africa's stellar middle order.

6. VVS Laxman (939 runs at 67.07, 2 100s)- The master of batting in the second innings won India tests they otherwise would likely have lost at Colombo (103*), Mohali (73*) and Durban (96). Along with Harbhajan, he also saved India against New Zealand at Ahmedabad with 91. Very Very Special, indeed. Next best: Ian Bell - the year that the boy finally became a man

7. MS Dhoni (749 runs at 41.61, 1 10o; 41 catches, 7 stumpings)- With Sangakkara and McCullum relinquishing the gloves, Dhoni pips Prior and Haddin to a place in our XI. The captain of the World's number one ranked test side, skippers our XI too. Next best: Brad Haddin or Matt Prior - take your pick.

8. Graeme Swann (64 wickets at 25.96, 6 five-fors) - The leading wicket taker in tests in 2010 and the best spinner in the world is an automatic choice for this XI. Next best: Daniel Vettori - a.k.a Superdan

9. Dale Steyn (60 wickets at 21.81, 4 five-fors) - The best bowler in the world bar none with a phenomenal strike rate of 39 in 2010. His 7/51 in Nagpur was arguably the test performance of the year. Next best: Peter Siddle - Australia's shining light

10. Zaheer Khan (47 wickets at 21.97, 2 five-fors)- If Steyn is the best, than Zaheer is the canniest bowler in the world. Lethal with the new or old ball and his record is even more remarkable given that he played all but one test in 2010 on batsman-friendly subcontinental wickets. Probably India's most important player. Next best: Mohammad Aamer - the light that burns twice as bright, burns half as long?

11. James Anderson (57 wickets at 22.96, 3five-fors) - Absolutely deadly in swing-friendly conditions against Pakistan in the summer, but just as effective in Australia where his development as one of the best fast bowlers in the world has been undeniably confirmed. Next best: Morne Morkel - who forms with Steyn the best new ball attack in the world.

Where next?

Sachin Tendulkar's Annus Mirabilis

10 reasons to love Graeme Swann

Heroes: VVS Laxman

Dear Jimmy...

Amla the Magnificent - Much more than a beard

In defence of Jonathan Trott

Graduates from the Sehwag School for Batting announced

Read all the latest from our Ashes 2010/11 coverage

Check out all our Reverse Sweep heroes and zeroes

If you like this, follow us on Twitter @thereversesweep

Comments

[Shridhar Jaju]

I picked my XI too on my blog over here. Alastair Cook gets the nod in my team and VVS unfortunately misses out. Amla bats at his usual No. 3 position and Trott goes down the order.

[Shridhar Jaju]

Looks like the link I posted is not working. Here is the URL: http://cricsis.blogspot.com/2010/12/test-team-of-year-2010.html

[Mahek Vyas]

Cook better than Smith? Say it ain't so, David!!!

[The Reverse Sweep]

Ha ha Mahek, no I don't think Cook is better than Smith - just better in 2010 - perhaps I could have included Smith though as with Zaheer on the same team at least he wouldn't have to face him!!

[The Reverse Sweep]

Looks like we nearly agree Shridhar - I just couldn't leave VVS out - pure genius and he got his runs when the pressure was really on

[simon]

wow - surprisingly easy to agree with this! didn't expect that!

[Dave]

Hard to see how Prior (15m [email protected] 61c 2st) didn't get the keeper spot ahead of Dhoni (13m [email protected] 41c 7st). Not much difference between the quality of opposition and if anything, England's schedule was tougher. Totally baffled as to how it can be a 'take your pick' between him and Haddin (8m [email protected] 28c 1st) for 2nd. Not even close.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Dave, you are right. It was a close decision between the Dhoni and Prior. I added Haddin to the mix, purely because I enjoy his batting - some of his straight drives are pure textbook. The decision wasnt wholly based on stats and I went with Dhoni because I have been impressed with his captaincy and the way he has made the Indian team so resilient. I may have underestimated Prior however. The improvement in his keeping in the last two years has been extraordinary and as a batsman he can be mentioned in the same breath as Dhoni - certainly as far as Test cricket is concerend.

[Share Trading Tutorial]

The best pick. great!

[Jacqueline Fernandez Photos]

Yes these are the all time best.