#ThatWas2017: Test Cricket's best XI for 2017
Test cricket has seen some remarkable records been broken in the last 12 months. The number 1 team in the world India, South Africa and Australia have dominated the longest format of the game. Here is the cream of the crop in Test cricket for the year 2017. No prizes for guessing that the above mentioned teams dominate the list.
Australia's David Warner and South Africa's Dean Elgar
David Warner did not have an exceptional year by his standards, but the left handed batsman gets the nod in our list. In 11 matches, Warner has scored 997 runs at an average of 49.85 with 4 hundreds to his name. Dean Elgar will partner Warner in the middle after amassing 1,128 runs which includes 5 hundreds at an average of 53.71.
Cheteshwar Pujara, Steve Smith and Virat Kohli
Find a bowler who would want to bowl to this trio. Pujara has been fantastic at number 3 with 1,140 runs at an average of 67.05. The world's number 1 Test-batsman Steven Smith walks into the team after scoring 1,305 runs which includes 6 hundreds at an average of 76.76. Kohli, an obvious choice, has scored 1,059 runs at an average of 75.64.
Quinton de Kock and Shakib-Al-Hassan
Quinton de Kock has scored 619 runs at an average of 36.41. But he is not in the side for his batting prowess, but for the 50 dismissals which includes 45 catches and 5 stumpings. There are a lot of contenders for the all-rounder spot but Shakib gets the nod in our list with 665 runs and 29 wickets to his name.
Australia's Nathan Lyon
Nathan Lyon makes this list ahead of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja as the Australian did not just exploit the spin friendly tracks of the subcontinent, but also impressed with his ability to work with the bounce in Australia. The off-spinner has 63 wickets at an average of 23.55 this year.
Josh Hazlewood, Jimmy Anderson and Kagiso Rabada
Hazlewood has been the wrecker in chief for Australia with 34 wickets at an average of 25.41. Age is just a number for Anderson as he continues to do wonders with the ball picking up 55 wickets at an average of 17.58. Kagiso Rabada completes the list after a fantastic year in the absence of Steyn, with 57 wickets at an average of 20.28.
