The year 2018 has been one of the worst years for batting in Test cricket. The year that registered the lowest batting average (26.28) since 1959 tells how much batsmen have struggled throughout the year. On the other hand, it was the bowlers who have dominated batsmen in almost every match being played.
Well, 2018 has written its script and one must admit that it has been one of the worst years to pick playing XI of 2018 in the basis of performances as there are batsmen who haven't been consistent barring a few batsmen. Bowlers have done their job well but it is batsmen who have disappointed.
Here we are presenting you the best possible XI of 2018 of Test cricket (on the basis of performances)
1. Tom Latham (NZ) - It has been the hard year for openers. New Zealand's Tom Latham who scored 450 runs in 3 innings against Sri Lanka in most recently concluded series has scored 658 runs in 12 innings including 2 centuries and 2 half-centuries with an average of 59.81 this year. His highest score of 264* came against Sri Lanka at Basin Reserve, Wellington where he carried the innings. Latham is the only opener who has averages over 50 after scoring 300 or more.
2. Dimuth Karunaratne (SL) - The Sri Lankan left-hander despite his team's poor show, has been in good form and played some match-changing innings. The gritty left-hander has recorded 743 runs in 17 innings with an average of 46.43. Also has scored a century and 7 half-centuries including a match-changing unbeaten 158 against South Africa in Galle.
3. Kane Williamson (NZ) - A rock solid at number 3 and one of the modern day masters has a brilliant year. In UAE against Pakistan, he played some crucial innings which helped New Zealand to win a Test against Pakistan after 1969 away from home. Earlier in the year, Williamson had also showcased exemplary technique to handle the swing and seam bowling of England's James Anderson to crunch a brilliant hundred. In 12 innings Williamson scored 651 runs at an average of 59.18 with 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries.
4. Virat Kohli (IND) - Virat Kohli, as usual, had had another stellar year with the bat. The Indian captain is one of only two batsmen who has scored more than 1000 runs in 2018. Virat probably the only batsman who has been consistent throughout the year. Against England in England, he scored 593 runs in 10 innings where all other batsmen were struggling to score in seaming and swinging conditions. Even before England series, he was the most successful batsman in South Africa earlier this year in 3-match Test series. In 24 innings of 13 matches, Virat scored 1322 runs at an average of 55.08 including 5 hundred and 5 fifties.
5. Henry Nicholls (NZ) - Another New Zealander who had had a spectacular with the bat. His partnership of 212 for the 4th wicket with Williamson against Pakistan where he scored 126 runs has been the highlight of the year that turned the table in New Zealand's favour from a losing position. The left-hander has scored 658 runs in 12 innings at a brilliant average of 73.11 with 3 centuries and 3 half-centuries.
6. Jos Buttler (ENG) - It was a comeback year for the wicket-keeper batsman and has been a brilliant comeback. The attacking right-hander gave a glimpse of his immense potential with a well constricted fifty in the second innings of the Lord's Test versus Pakistan. He also notched up his maiden Test hundred against India at Trent Bridge that came in losing cause but he played a crucial part in England's series victory with a couple of the fifties. He scored 760 runs in 18 innings with an average of 44.70 including a century and 6 half-centuries.
7. Jason Holder (WI) - The West Indian captain had had a good year with both bat and ball. He seemed to be an only all-rounder who justified his all-rounder's role. He snared 33 scalps at an astonishing average of 12.39. In 2018, Holder also recorded his best match figures by taking 11 scalps for 103 runs against Bangladesh in Jamaica. The Windies skipper also scored 336 runs at an average of 37.33.
8. Nathan Lyon (AUS) - Australia's off-spinner who has 335 wickets in 83 matches had had a brilliant year. It has always been difficult for any spinner to take wickets in Australia that has a history of producing spicy pitches. The 31-year old played 10 matches and took 49 wickets at an average of 34.02. His best match figure was 8 for 106 this year.
9. Pat Cummins (AUS) - A handy batsman lower down the order and a lethal fast bowler, Pat Cummins has emerged as a valuable player for Australia this year. The tall fast bowler turned out to be the mainstay of Australia's pace attack, scalping 44 wickets at just 19.97. He registered his best figure against India at MCG where he grabbed 6/27 in second innings and played a gritty knock of 63 runs in losing cause.
10. Jasprit Bumrah (IND) - It has been Jusprit Bumrah's year by far. The 25-year old with unorthodox action took his Test career by storm, grabbing 48 wickets at an average of 21.02 in 9 matches. He made his Test debut against South Africa and became the only Asian bowler to take 5-fers in each of SA, ENG, and AUS in a calendar year.
11. Kagiso Rabada (SA) - The number 1 bowler in ICC Test ranking, Kagiso Rabada was the has been brilliant throughout the year. With 52 wickets in 10 matches, he is the leading wicket-taker of 2018.
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