My 2020 Test Team of the Year

There may not have been much cricket this year due to obvious circumstances. But in the limited number of games we've had, there have been some exceptional moments and performances. Here is my test team of the year for 2020.

Dom Sibley

9 Matches, 615 Runs, Average: 47.30, High Score: 133*

It was a fantastic breakout year for the opener, with two centuries to his name. The most impressive aspect of his game was the way in which he scored his runs. He looked like a classic test match batsman: patiently waited for opportunities to score and took the game one ball at a time. If he keeps this up, England has surely found a talent to tie up an opening spot for years to come.

Shan Masood

5 Matches, 289 Runs, Average: 41.28, High Score: 156

Another opener with two centuries this year, Shan Masood has quietly gone about his business. His 156 against England facing the likes of Broad, Anderson and Archer was highly impressive. Although his form did begin to tail off after that innings.

Zak Crawley

7 Matches, 580 Runs, Average: 52.72, High Score: 267

Despite being bumped up and down England’s batting order this year, Crawley has been impressive. This culminated in his mammoth 267 against Pakistan in the summer, becoming the third youngest scorer of a double century in test history, as well as the second highest maiden score by an Englishman.

Marnus Labuschagne

3 Matches, 403 Runs, Average: 67.16, High Score: 215

Marnus is certainly an eccentric character and we’ve seen many of his quirks and his Steve Smith mimicry this year. His batting has been exceptional at times this year, his high score of 215 against New Zealand at the very start of the year a signal of this. He has also been Australia’s batting rock in the current ongoing series against India.

Kane Williamson

4 Matches, 498 Runs, Average: 83.00, High Score: 251

The classy batsman has been exceptional in the limited number of games New Zealand have played this year. In his last two matches he has score two centuries, including his high score of 251 - also his career highest score. He recently was named in the test team of the decade and moved up the batting rankings to number 1.

Ben Stokes

7 Matches, 641 Runs, Average: 58.27, High Score: 176

19 Wickets, Average: 18.73

Stokes continued his unbelievable form from 2019 into 2020, blowing South Africa away with both bat and ball during the series in January. He did not stop there, scoring 176 against the West Indies in the summer and picked up wickets against Pakistan despite being injured. He was the leading runs scorer in tests this year, even after missing England’s last two tests against Pakistan. It seems that nothing can stop Ben Stokes.

Jos Buttler (wk)

9 Matches, 497 Runs, Average: 38.23, High Score: 152

30 dismissals (30 Catches, 0 Stumpings)

Before the summer, Buttler’s test career hung on a knife edge. However, his batting performances against Pakistan helped England greatly; the first test wouldn’t have been won without his stand with Chris Woakes. His 152 displayed a different side to Buttler’s game, one of patience. He may be known for his white ball brilliance, but this year he showed that he can be a great asset for England’s test side.

Kyle Jamieson

5 Matches, 25 Wickets, Average: 14.44

Jamieson has had an exceptional debut year for New Zealand. The tall bowler has displayed his skill and aggression to great effect, already securing two five wicket innings. He has also been a handy resource with the bat, scoring 196 runs.

Stuart Broad

8 Matches, 38 Wickets, Average: 14.76

Broad has been unplayable at times this year, especially during the summer where 26 of his wickets were taken; passing 500 test wickets in the process. These numbers are even more impressive considering he was dropped for the first test of the summer.

Nathan Lyon

3 Matches, 14 Wickets, Average: 18.78

Despite the limited number of matches this year, Nathan Lyon has continued to be brilliant. He blew New Zealand away twice in the same match, scoring 5/68 in the first innings and 5/50 in the second of the third test back in January. No wonder he is known as the GOAT.

Tim Southee

5 Matches, 30 Wickets, Average: 17.03

Southee has been the pick of New Zealand’s bowlers this year, as well as the second highest wicket taker in tests. He took nine wickets in their first test against Australia before ripping through both India and the West Indies. Recently passing 300 career test wickets, Southee has consistently shown his skills against some of the world’s best batting line-ups.