Best Test XI of 2019

It was a year of fresh air for Test cricket. In a bid to revive Test cricket and attract more crowds to the game, ICC's ambitious project, the ICC Test Championship, finally got underway in 2019.

The results have been positive so far, as there is more interest around every game that is played around the globe. Also, India finally coming on board and joining the brigade of teams playing day-night Test cricket has been a great development.

However, the first half of the year was quite dull for Test cricket as the teams were more focused on the 50-over World Cup. That is why, overall very few Test matches were played this year.

Also see – BPL Points Table 2019

Having said that, the quality of cricket was quite extraordinary. The Ashes series once again caught the imagination of the fans and was a huge success. The Indian Test team looked unstoppable as they won every match that they played in the Test Championship. 2019 will also be remembered as the year when Test cricket returned to Pakistan.

Moreover, there were some memorable individual performances from the players too. Here is the best Test XI of the year, consisting of players who did exceptionally well in 2019.

Openers

Mayank Agarwal (Matches - 8, Runs - 754, Average - 68.54)

Mayank Agarwal

Mayank Agarwal was handed the Test cap in the Boxing Day Test against Australia last year. And after impressing in his very first Test, Agarwal hasn't looked back.

The Karnataka opener has looked confident whenever he has been at the crease, showing that he belongs to this level. He smashed 754 runs in 2019 at an average of 68.54.

Agarwal also struck three centuries, including two double tons.

Tom Latham (Matches - 8, Runs - 601, Average - 50.08)

Tom Latham

Tom Latham once again proved his effectiveness in the longest format of the game for New Zealand. Latham was rock solid at the top, regularly giving strong starts to the Kiwis.

His innings of 154 in difficult conditions during the second Test against Sri Lanka paved the way for a series-leveling win for the Kiwis. Latham averaged more than 50 in the year.

Middle-order

Virat Kohli (c) (Matches - 8, Runs - 612, Average - 68)

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli extended his purple patch in Test cricket by scoring 612 runs at an average of 68 in the year 2019.

Kohli must also be credited for the Indian team's unbeatable run in the Test Championship so far. Team India has won all its seven games in the championship, and is sitting at the top of points table.

Marnus Labuschagne (Matches - 11, Runs - 1104, Average - 64.94)

Marnus Labuschagne

At the start of the year, not many would have thought that Marnus Labuschagne would end up as the highest run-getter of the year.

The Australian batsman has risen through ranks quite swiftly, playing a string of crucial knocks for his side. Labuschagne scored 1104 runs in the year at an average of 64.94. He also took 5 wickets with his leg-break bowling.

Steve Smith (Matches - 8, Runs - 965, Runs - 74.23)

Steve Smith

After spending a year on the sidelines, Steve Smith made a stunning comeback to the Test arena in 2019. Smith scored 965 runs in the year at a phenomenal average of 74.23.

The former Australian skipper almost single-handedly retained the Ashes for Australia by scoring 774 runs in just four Tests at a mind-boggling average of 110.57.

All-rounders, wicketkeeper and spinner

Quinton de Kock (wk) (Matches - 8, Runs - 713, Average - 47.53)

Quinton de Kock

While there wasn't much to write about South Africa's performance in 2019, one Proteas player who managed to hold his own was wicket-keeper batsman Quinton de Kock.

De Kock scored 713 runs in 8 games at a decent average of 47.53. He was quite neat behind the stumps as well.

Ben Stokes (Matches - 11, Runs - 821, Average - 45.61, Wickets - 22)

Ben Stokes

It was a dream year for England all-rounder Ben Stokes. After winning the World Cup for his country in the nerve-wracking final, Stokes played a sensational innings of 135 runs to take England over the line against Australia in the third Ashes Test at Headingley.

Stokes was in fine form both with the bat and the ball throughout the year, scoring 807 runs and picking up 22 wickets.

Nathan Lyon (Matches - 12, Wickets - 45, Average - 33.26)

Nathan Lyon

While it wasn't a year for spinners in Test cricket, Nathan Lyon was as steady as ever. He bowled long spells and maintained a tight line, suffocating the opposition.

Lyon bowled with an economy of less than 3, and never allowed the batsmen to get easy runs. He ended as the second highest wicket-taker of the year.

Bowlers

Pat Cummins (Matches - 12, Wickets - 59, Average - 20.13)

Pat Cummins

Pat Cummins emerged as the leader of the Australian bowling attack in 2019. He was exceptional for Australia, and finished as the world's leading wicket-taker of the year.

Cummins took 59 wickets in 12 games at an outstanding average of 20.13. He reaped the rewards for bowling in the right areas and remaining injury-free.

Cummins was instrumental in Australia's Ashes win over England.

Mitchell Starc (Matches - 8, Wickets - 42, Average - 20.71)

Mitchell Starc

Cummins' countryman Mitchell Starc also had a terrific year in red-ball cricket. Despite missing quite a few matches due to injuries and workload management, Starc was the 5th highest wicket-taker of the year.

The left-arm quick took 42 wickets in just 8 games in 2019.

Neil Wagner (Matches - 6, Wickets - 43, Average - 17.81)

Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner is undoubtedly one of the most underrated bowlers in Test cricket. Even considering that, his bowling performances in 2019 got everyone's attention.

The South African born Wagner picked up 43 scalps in just 6 games at a staggering average of 17.81. He also reached the mark of 200 Test wickets during the year.