Top 5 unsung heroes of 2016

#1 Moeen Ali

The England off-spinning all-rounder started the year with heavy criticism about his better trait, batting. He silenced all his critics in 2016, contributing immensely with the bat in Tests. He has 838 runs in 15 Tests at an average of 44.10 that includes three hundreds and four fifties. His best was the 155* against Sri Lanka at Chester-le-Street.

He has been influential with the ball as well, picking up 34 wickets in 15 Tests with a best of 5/57. With Rashid among the top wicket takers of the year across formats, Ali has remained in the background despite contributing immensely in every series England played.

His hundreds against Lanka, Pakistan and India came when the team needed him the most. His off-spin has also been under utilitized by Alastair Cook inspite of his knack of getting key wickets. He is the 6th highest run scorer in Tests this year.