Year in Review: Test team of the year 2013

Dale Steyn- The Hit Man

The Steyn- Gun!

42 wickets at an average of 17.95 and a strike rate of 43.8. 3 5 wicket hauls, best of 6-8

Seldom has the term Hit Man seemed so appropriate. Fast, furious, snarling, terrifying, brilliant, compelling, genius, intimidating, hostile, game changing, how about we zone in on the best? When we look at bowlers from this generation, we will see Dale Steyn, daylight, and then the rest. Lean, mean and baring a resemblance to Daniel Craig (license to kill seems apt); Steyn has a beautiful action, pace, stamina and devilish outswing. He’s smart too, bowling within himself, a scary thought in itself given the ease with which he picks up wickets, before cranking up the speed gun and terror and intimidation when he feels like. The 6-8 that routed New Zealand stands out, but Steyn was a beacon of excellence and the alpha male throughout the year. His job will basically be to continue to be Dale Steyn. All hail Dale.

Trent Boult- The Horse

Trent Boult – the work horse

46 wickets at an average of 25.08 and a strike rate of 56. 3 5 wicket hauls, best of 6-40

The horse might sound ambiguous and confusing. Trent Boult is both the work horse and dark horse in a team full of superstars. He earned his place in the team with disciplined and consistent bowling throughout the year, before exploding against the West Indies with a series of thunder bolts.

Even before his match winning efforts, Boult had toiled away manfully, never letting his standards drop. His left arm angle, control, and swing stand out, but it is the fight and heart he has shown that has been the most endearing. His job will be to bowl the long spells, and if he can take a few more blinders and railroad the odd innings along the way, all the better.