ICC announces Test team of 2021; Kane Williamson named captain
Kane Williamson (Photo by MICHAEL BRADLEY/AFP via Getty Images)
ICC has announced the Test team of the year 2021 and Kane Williamson has been appointed the skipper of the side. The New Zealand skipper famously led his side to the World Test Championship crown beating India at the Mecca of Cricket Lord’s. Apart from him, Kyle Jamieson is the only other Kiwi player in the XI who also performed extremely well ever since making his debut in the format.
As far as the openers are concerned, Dimuth Karunaratne and Rohit Sharma were picked thanks to their consistent performances in a year which was tough for the top-order batters. Karunaratne has always been exceptional for Sri Lanka while Rohit stunned many with his show in England smashing the second most runs in four Tests.
The star-studded middle-order comprised of Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root and Fawad Alam, apart from Williamson. All the three batters were in great form throughout the year bailing their respective sides out of trouble more often than not. Root was in incredible touch almost breaking Mohammad Yousuf all-time record of most runs in a calendar year in Tests.
The next two in the XI are Indian cricketers, Rishabh Pant and Ravi Ashwin. Pant played one of the best knocks in Brisbane breaching the fortress Gabba in January and later also smashed a ton during a home series against England. As far as Ashwin is concerned, he was India’s key member on Australia tour. He went on to do well at home against England and New Zealand even winning the Player of the Series in both series.
The pace bowling attack of ICC’s Test team of 2021 consists of Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi apart from Jamieson. The trio was just sensational last year picking wickets at will whenever they came on to bowl.
ICC’s Test team of 2021: Dimuth Karunaratne, Rohit Sharma, Marnus Labuschagne, Joe Root, Kane Williamson (C), Fawad Alam, Rishabh Pant (WK), Ravi Ashwin, Kyle Jamieson, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Afridi
