Best test XI of 2012

Done the worst, so what would be your best test XI of 2012?

this would be mine:

1.Alistair Cook-
2.Graeme Smith
3.Hashim Amla-
4.Jacques Kallis
5.Michael Clarke
6.Marlon Samuels
7.Matt Prior (wk)
8.Doug Bracewell
9.Kemar Roach
10.Rangana Herath
11.James Anderson

Will replace Prior with de Villiers

Prior scored 777 runs in 22 innings at an average of 38.85 and six fifties
de Villiers scored 815 runs in 16 innings at an average of 58.21 and 2 fifties and 2 centuries.

Bowelrs

Philander
Siddle
Herath
Ajmal

ABdeV only kept wicket for half the season though and is really just pretending to be a proper test keeper anyway. But then he could command a place as a pure batsman.


Doug Bracewell? He averaged 37 with the ball this year....over Steyn and Philander?

Hadnt seen what a ludicrous SR Roach has on the year though, not bowled a lot but clearly been carrying his attack when he has.

Considering that AB did better than expected and kept on improving his keeping went down not too badly this season, plus he has now committed to being the test keeper.

Fine he can compete for next years place then

I feel that (against high expectations) AB had only a mediocre year, and is flattered by a couple of big not outs in his average. Whilst AB 'keeping muddies the waters, Prior is my undoubted selection at 7.

I'd then go Cook, Smith, Amla, KP, Clarke, Shiv, Prior, Philander, Roach, Ajmal, Morkel as my Test XI.

I don't think Swann and Jimmy had their best years overall (despite doing well in India) and Samuels, AB and Ross Taylor miss out to truly outstanding rivals for middle order places. I know Ajmal didn't play that many Tests, but when he did he was devastating. Same with Roach.

I think I'd almost agree with shel's side there, with 2 changes. I'd have Samuels at 6, and Steyn in place of Morkel. I had to think about Pietersen vs Kallis, but eventually opted for KP's flair over Kallis' consistency.
Now as usual, Shiv C accumulated big test runs last year as well, but Samuels is more of a number 6, as he can shift into the 5th gear and could set up innings, often a job called upon to be done by the number 6.
Steyn over Morkel, because its been Steyn who has found that little bit extra in key situations, whether it was the first test in England or the last test in Australia.

Pretty much agree with the squad combining Shelsey / MSP's selections. I would probably go for Steyn rather than Morkel in the final team.

The best test XI of 2012 has to be the Australian XI that comprehensively wiped the floor with India's much vaunted test XI in the 2nd test at Sydney.

1 Warner
2 Cowan
3 Marsh
4 Ponting
5 Clarke
6 Hussey
7 Haddin
8 Siddle
9 Pattinson
10 Hilfenhaus
11 Lyon

Biltong wrote:Considering that AB did better than expected and kept on improving his keeping went down not too badly this season, plus he has now committed to being the test keeper.

AB's record as a batsman while keeping is worse than Prior. Only one good knock and that too, when the lead was well over 250.

Shelsey93 wrote:I feel that (against high expectations) AB had only a mediocre year, and is flattered by a couple of big not outs in his average. Whilst AB 'keeping muddies the waters, Prior is my undoubted selection at 7.

I'd then go Cook, Smith, Amla, KP, Clarke, Shiv, Prior, Philander, Roach, Ajmal, Morkel as my Test XI.

I don't think Swann and Jimmy had their best years overall (despite doing well in India) and Samuels, AB and Ross Taylor miss out to truly outstanding rivals for middle order places. I know Ajmal didn't play that many Tests, but when he did he was devastating. Same with Roach.

Jimmy only really failed at home against SA. He was outstanding in the SC and at home vs WI.

Corporalhumblebucket wrote:Pretty much agree with the squad combining Shelsey / MSP's selections. I would probably go for Steyn rather than Morkel in the final team.

I think statistically Morkel did better than Steyn last year, propably Morkels best year for the Proteas

Smith - 48,52 for 2012

Cook - 48,03 for 2012

Kallis - 28,27 with the ball in 2012 and 67,42 with the bat! And people select KP over him? KP's SR was only 10 better than Kallis for the year anyway.

Amla - 70,93 for 2012

Clarke - 106.33 for 2012

Shiv - 98.07 with the bat for 2012

ABDV - 58,21 for 2012

Philander - 21.11 with the ball and 26.22 with the bat for 2012

Morkel - 30,28 with the ball and 19 with the bat for 2012

Steyn - 29.71 with the ball in 2012

Ajmal - 20.56 with the ball for the year

Notes:

1) Keep in mind that SA played away from home for the majortity of the year and against England and Australia, amazing stats for their players
2) KP might have flair but only averaged 43 for the year. With the batsman above who needs his flair anyway in the team. There is no shortage of fast scoring players who can take the game away from the opposition in a session. Also, who would want so much of KP's flair in the team dynamic, he disrupts the team and brings down the performance of other players in the process
3) Jimmy Anderson failed when the team needed him most this year against SA. Steyn was the man for big moments all year and had some devestating spells which completely changed the outcome of test series.