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The International Cricket Council (ICC) announced four nominees for the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2022 award, on Friday.
1. Ben Stokes – England:
(870 runs and 26 wickets in 15 Test matches; nine wins as captain in Test cricket)
In 2022, England Test skipper Ben Stokes, along with head coach Brendon McCullum changed the fortunes of English Test cricket. Stokes took over an English side that was struggling for results and found themselves at the rock-bottom of the World Test Championship standings.
Through his inspirational leadership, he built up a confident and attacking unit, who have now won nine out of 10 Test matches under his tenure in 2022. Stokes has repeatedly stated about taking the fear of failure away from the players and that has reflected in the ultra-aggressive brand of cricket that England plays under him.
Stokes has also led the charge by example, having a good year with both bat and ball. He has scored 870 runs in 15 matches, with two centuries and four half-centuries and also scalped 26 wickets at an average of 31.19.
His most memorable performance came when England had their first hiccup under the Stokes era, losing the first Test against South Africa at home. Needing a response, Stokes stood up and delivered the goods, scoring a brilliant 103 in the first innings. He also registered figures of 2/17 and 2/30 in the match, as England roared back to hand South Africa an innings defeat in Manchester, enroute to winning the series 2-1.
2. Jonny Bairstow – England:
(1061 runs in 10 Test matches)
Jonny Bairstow has arguably been the biggest positive for England since McCullum and Stokes took over the leadership of England’s Test team. Given the freedom to play his attacking game, Bairstow had one of the most fruitful years of his Test career in the past year.
Bairstow played 10 Test matches in 2022, scoring 1061 runs at a staggering average of 66.31 and a strike rate of 76. He notched up 6 centuries and 1 half-century, showcasing his brilliant conversion rate and the ability to play a long inning. The year could have been all the more better if not for a freak golf injury, which ruled him out of the final home Test against South Africa and the tour of Pakistan.
His most memorable performance came when Bairstow showcased what a threat he had become in the middle order in the rescheduled fifth Test against India. He first hit a counter-attacking 106 off 140 in the first innings to help England stay alive in the game in Birmingham. In the second innings, he continued his amazing form, scoring 114 and establishing a brilliant stand with Joe Root as England chased down 378 to level the series.
3. Usman Khawaja – Australia:
(1080 runs in 11 Test matches)
Usman Khawaja made his return to the Australian side from the wilderness in 2022 during the Ashes and ensured that no one was taking his spot away again. There were some memorable performances, both in the middle order and then as an opener.
Khawaja played a vital role in Australia’s batting unit during the latter half of the Ashes, as well as their famous win during the away tour of Pakistan. Overall, he scored 1080 runs in 11 matches at a stunning average of 67.50. He has four centuries and five half-centuries in the calendar year as his contributions have helped Australia put one foot in the World Test Championship final.
One of his memorable performances came while making a comeback in the side after a prolonged absence when Khawaja punished the England bowlers during the Sydney Test in the Ashes. He scored centuries in both innings (137 and 101*), as Australia aimed to take a 4-0 lead in the series. Final-day heroics from England though ensured that they held on for a draw but Khawaja nevertheless had made his presence felt.
4. Kagiso Rabada – South Africa:
(47 wickets in nine Test matches)
Fast bowler Kagiso Rabada was again South Africa’s shining light with the ball in 2022, delivering breakthroughs at crucial junctures. He had a year to remember, starring in some famous Test victories for South Africa against India, New Zealand and England.
Overall, Rabada picked up 47 wickets in only nine matches at a remarkable average of 22.25 and a devastating strike rate of 34.1. He also registered two five-wicket hauls, with best figures of 5/52 against England.
Rabada’s memorable performance came when he was on a rampage in the first Test against England at Lord’s, bowling some fiery spells. He registered figures of 5/52 in the first innings, helping South Africa bowl out England for 165. He then followed it up with a disciplined performance of 2/27 in the second innings, as South Africa bowled England out for 149 to win the Test by an innings and 12 runs to take a 1-0 series lead.
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