2013 in review: New kids on the block

4. Corey Anderson

Corey Anderson

Tests – 5, Runs – 222, Batting average – 37.00, High Score – 116, Wickets – 11, Bowling average – 19.36ODIs – 5, Runs – 114, Batting average – 28.50, High Score – 46, Wickets – 8, Bowling average – 22.25

The youngest New Zealand player to ever receive a contract, Anderson forced people to sit up and take notice in 2007 itself, as a sixteen year old all-rounder playing for Cantebury. Though it took him some time to realize the tremendous talent he possessed, he immediately impressed on his ODI debut against England in June 2013 with a fighting 30 of 24 balls in a difficult chase.

His ability to both doggedly defend and blatantly attack has proven that he is capable of holding his place in the team as a pure batsman. On the bowling front, his knack of breaking partnerships and consistently hitting the low 140s has ensured that Anderson is already being spoken of in the same breath as Chris Cairns, despite being just five Tests into his career.