2014 test team of the year: The Age

always debatable....but not a bad selection
http://www.theage.com.au/sport/cricket/2014-test-team-of-the-year-20141231-12g41z.html


David Warner: Warner announced himself as one of the best batsmen in the world with six centuries and a strike rate superior even to McCullum, scoring at 80 runs per hundred balls. His Test average (56) since the birth of his daughter Ivy Mae suggests fatherhood agrees with him. This team is picked not only to win Tests but to generate headlines, so Warner gets to do the post-play press conferences.

Dave Warner


Murali Vijay: There was no standout candidate to partner Warner at the top, but Vijay enhanced his reputation with 99 and a century in Adelaide and Brisbane, respectively. He averages 63 against Australia and was one of few Indian batsmen to do well in England, averaging 40 and making a century at Trent Bridge.


Kumar Sangakkara: No one made more Test runs this year than the sophisticated Sri Lankan. Three of his centuries, including a triple, were scored against weak Bangladesh but it is impossible to ignore the 37-year-old's consistency. The highlight was a double century in a Sri Lankan win against a Pakistan attack that included Saeed Ajmal.

Kumar Sangakkara

Steve Smith: Smith represents the new breed of batsman - assertive and inventive - and he has worked out his game with spectacular results. Five centuries were not the extent of it; his 97 in an unsuccessful bid to save the Abu Dhabi Test was impressive in a different way. If anything, the sudden elevation to the captaincy made him better.

AB de Villiers: Not his greatest year in Tests but the lone selector doesn't mind admitting that the South African is a favourite, and in the absence of a batting bolter he holds his place with sheer class and experience. A middle-order partnership with Smith would be an intoxicating sight.

Angelo Mathews: Like Smith, Mathews is a young captain who has handled the transition well. His batting flourished with hundreds at Lord's and Headingley in 2014. There, he led Sri Lanka to their first series win in England. Does not bowl as much as he used to but can send down some useful overs to relieve the quicks.

Brendon McCullum (captain) (wicketkeeper): The first New Zealander to break the 1000-run barrier in a calendar year, McCullum has played some incredible innings, including a triple century, while presiding over the growth of an even, successful, likeable team. He's a swashbuckler, as last week's rollicking 195 in 134 balls against Sri Lanka attests, and an aggressive captain. He does not keep wicket for New Zealand these days, but can ask de Villiers or Sangakkara to put the gloves on if he needs a spell.

Brendon McCullum


Mitchell Johnson: Johnson backed up his Ashes heroics with 22 wickets in South Africa, paving the way for a famous away series victory. Had his subdued moments, especially on flat wickets in the UAE, Adelaide and Melbourne, but reminded everyone of his all-round destructiveness with 88 and 4-61 at the Gabba. We dare the imaginary opposition to wind him up.

Mitchell Johnson

Dale Steyn: Steyn on song is a fierce and beautiful sight, and while Zimbabwe and West Indies were no match for the great fast bowler, he was at his best bowling South Africa to victory over Australia with the old ball in Port Elizabeth. He is the first fast man picked. He is coming off 50 in 38 balls against the Windies, so adds batting depth.

Rangana Herath: Sri Lanka's left-arm spinner was easily the most successful bowler of 2014. He will never boast outrageous tricks like Muthiah Muralidaran, but outfoxes batsman with subtle variations in pace and flight, and is rewarded for perseverence. Claimed nine wickets in an innings against Pakistan in Colombo. Murali, Shane Warne and Anil Kumble, champions all, are the only spinners to have beaten him to to 250 wickets.


Trent Boult: He swings the ball both ways and forms an exciting new-ball partnership with Tim Southee. This is the left-armer's second productive year in a row and he deserves a spot in the XI. We look forward to seeing him in Australia next summer.

Trent Boult

Jimmy Anderson (12th man): This is a tough call, no question. But Anderson's surliness did not help his cause and he played all but one of his Tests in English conditions where he is always a threat. Perhaps his best exhibition of skilful swing bowling in 2014, against India at Old Trafford, was when he refrained from verbal aggression. He carries the drinks

ABDV is a personal favorite but his year wasn't as great as was expected. Brendon McCullum had an outstanding year with the bat though, and he has to come in. Brendon hasn't been keeping these days though. Quinton de Kock had taken over the wicketkeeping duties from AB though he had to take the gloves back following de Kock's injury. Among the regular keepers, its been Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahendra Singh Dhoni who have done OK. Think I'll have Mushfiqur in there at 7.

Decent enough XI. I'd go
Warner
Vijay
Sangakarra
Amla
Smith
Mathews (c)
Dhoni
Johnson
Steyn
Boult
Herath

So not too different, although I suspect this was a year most of the team picked itself.

Mccullum unlucky to miss out, but I needed an all rounder.

An even better performer as a wicketkeeper batsman has been Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed. Think 2014 was his breakthrough year and he has a greater claim than that of Mushfiqur.

Warner
McCullum
Sanga
Younus
ABDV (wk)
Smith
Mathews
Johnson
Harris
Steyn
Herath