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Jasprit Bumrah, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Kamindu Mendis are nominated for the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year award. This prestigious award recognises outstanding achievements in Test cricket throughout the year.
Bumrah, India’s leading fast bowler, has had an exceptional year in Test cricket. He has taken an impressive 71 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 14.92 and a strike rate of 30.16.
These figures represent the best bowling performance in Test cricket this year. Bumrah’s performance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy has been particularly noteworthy.
He claimed 30 wickets in just four Test matches against Australia. This highlights his ability to perform consistently at the highest level.
“Having returned to the Test arena following his recovery from a recurring back injury in 2023, Bumrah dominated the bowling charts in 2024. Featuring across 13 Tests in the calendar year, Bumrah delivered his best-ever annual tally – 71 wickets – finishing the year with more Test wickets than any of his counterparts,” the ICC said on its website.
Bumrah’s consistent performance across different playing conditions is remarkable. He excelled in pace-friendly conditions in South Africa and Australia, as well as in more challenging conditions for fast bowlers in India.
“Be it the pace-conducive conditions in South Africa and Australia, or tougher conditions for quicks at home, Bumrah was equally impressive through the year. However, it was on India’s tour of Australia that the pace spearhead produced his magnum opus,” it added.
Bumrah’s match-winning spells in Perth, where India secured a resounding 295-run victory, are among his most memorable performances of the year. His contributions were instrumental in India’s success.
Root, England’s dependable batter, has been the most prolific run-scorer in Test cricket this year. He amassed 1,556 runs in 17 matches at an average of 55.57. Root’s consistency is evident in his six centuries and five half-centuries.
This is the fifth time in Root’s career that he has surpassed 1,000 runs in a calendar year, showcasing his exceptional batting prowess.
The ICC said, “Across 17 Tests, Joe Root compiled his second-best annual run-tally in Tests – second only to his 1,708 runs from 2021. It was also the fifth instance of Root scoring over 1,000 Test runs in a calendar year.”
“With six Test hundreds to go alongside five half-centuries, Root was a consistent performer for England – both home and away. His impressive run with the bat saw Root amass joint-fifth highest tons in Tests (36) alongside Rahul Dravid,” it added.
Root’s career-best score of 262 against Pakistan in Multan is another highlight of his remarkable year. This was Root’s sixth double century in Test cricket, a testament to his batting mastery.
Harry Brook, another English batter, has also had a breakthrough year in Test cricket. He scored 1,100 runs in 12 matches at an average of 55.00, including four centuries and three half-centuries.
Brook’s impressive performance places him fourth on the list of highest run-scorers in 2024, following Joe Root, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and Ben Duckett.
“A flagbearer of England’s quickfire brand of batting, Harry Brook emerged as a breakthrough performer in the longest format,” the ICC said.
“A noticeable trait in his performances was the fact that most of his runs (723) came away from home while playing the same number of games as he did in England (6),” it added.
Brook’s remarkable innings of 317 runs off 322 deliveries is considered one of his best performances. This innings showcased his aggressive batting style and his ability to dominate the opposition.
Kamindu Mendis, the Sri Lankan batter, rounds out the list of nominees. He has enjoyed a stellar year, accumulating 1,049 runs in just nine Test matches at a remarkable average of 74.92.
Mendis achieved a significant milestone by becoming the joint-third fastest batsman to reach 1,000 Test runs, matching Sir Don Bradman’s record of achieving this feat in just 13 innings.
“Mendis averaged more than any of the batters who played more than two Tests in the calendar year – a staggering 74.92 from nine matches,” the ICC said.
“His performances with the bat helped Sri Lanka push their claim for their first-ever appearance in the ICC World Test Championship Final with wins over New Zealand, England and Bangladesh,” it added.
Mendis’s two centuries against New Zealand in a home series are considered his most memorable performances. These innings contributed significantly to his overall run tally, placing him fifth among the highest run-scorers in 2024.
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