We saw some unbelievable individual performances from players all over the world in 2014; from Mitchell Johnson ripping through the South African top order, to Brendon McCullum smashing the Sri Lankans all over the park.
This team comprises the 11 top performers in the Test match arena this year.
Batting
There was so many batsmen to chose from this year. With David Warner, Steve Smith, Hashim Amla, AB De Villiers, Kumar Sangakkara, Brendon Mccullum, Joe Root and Virat Kohli to name a few who had a big year, how do I limit this enormous list to just six?
It’s almost impossible to go past Warner and Amla as the opening pair. Sangakkara looked unstoppable coming in at three and Steve Smith finished the year in stunning form at four.
It is hard to go past Kohli considering the class he has shown recently but I would select De Villiers and McCullum. Both made runs consistently in the middle order so I would have them in my team.
Wicketkeeper
With De Villiers and Sangakkara both in the team, I thought about having one of them pull the gloves on to make room for another batsman such as Kohli.
But Quinton De Kock has shown that he can both keep very well but also make some very handy runs. I would put him in the squad instead of Brad Haddin.
Bowlers
I don’t even have to explain why Mitchell Johnson is in the team after such a stellar year. Ryan Harris would be good have in your team shearly because of his line and length consistency. But Dale Steyn has shown that he is still one of the world’s best fast bowlers. With Morne Morkel included as well that would make one hell of a pace attack.
Rangana Herath has shown all throughout the year that he can cause havoc on a turning pitch.
World Test XI 2014
David Warner
Hashim Amla (c)
Kumar Sangakkara
Steve Smith (vc)
AB De Villiers
Brendon Mcculum
Quinton De Kock (wk)
Mitchell Johnson
Dale Steyn
Morne Morkel
Rangana Herath
Camo McD
Roar Guru
Sarfraz Ahmed should be in contention for the wicket keeping spot. Also AB deV is a great player but I reckon other guys had better years in 2014. I'll go: Warner McCullum* Sanga Younis Smith Matthews Sarfraz+ Johnson Steyn Herath Anderson
djos77
Roar Rookie
No doubt Tom that he was outstanding in the last out of the 3 but he was pretty quiet in the first 2 (only 3 wickets across the first two games) - not that he had to do much in the first one with Johnson tearing up South Africa in both innings. I seem to remember there was even talk of him being dropped or rested during the series - glad they didn't. I'm really hoping they pick him for the World Cup but I have a bad feeling that they won't.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
"I’m a huge Ryan Harris fan but he missed 3 tests in 2014 and had a couple of quiet games in South Africa." You mean the series that Harris won?
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Cheers jammel. Harris is a superstar.
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Ryan Harris is still far superior to Morne Morkel, even when missing the occasional test. Morne has had injuries this year, too.
jammel
Guest
I think that XI's spot on, Tom from Perth. Harris is a must!
Jason
Roar Rookie
I'm a huge fan of Ryan Harris but the reason I didn't have him in my XI is because he has missed too many tests this year through injury. If he can stay injury free throughout 2015 then he will definitely be in all the world XIs at the end of the year
djos77
Roar Rookie
Can't quite fit Younis Khan in. McCullum opened at times during 2014 including his 202 vs Pakistan so I've got him opening instead of Amla. I'm a huge Ryan Harris fan but he missed 3 tests in 2014 and had a couple of quiet games in South Africa. Kohli made 4 hundreds in 2014 but couldn't pass 50 in 5 matches in England and one of the 100s was under no pressure in a draw against NZ. Warner McCullum (c) Amla Sangakkara Smith AB De villiers (wk) Matthews Johnson Steyn Herath Anderson
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
I'm surprised Ryan Harris not making any of these teams. As far as the author's choice of Morkel over Harris - I can't see any basis whatsoever for that. For mine: David Warner Hashim Amla Kumar Sangakkara Steve Smith AB De Villiers (wk) Brendon McCulum (c) Angelo Mathews (vc) Mitchell Johnson Ryan Harris Dale Steyn Rangana Herath
Vistro
Guest
Rangana Herath 12th man if the match is in none subcontinent pitch
Vistro
Guest
having de Villiers to any team is luxury because he offers so much more by allowing the selectors add extra specialist batsman, and also you can not have a number one test batsman to bat lower that no:5.Amla is more effective if he comes in @ 3. below is my best side. David Warner Murali Vijay Hashim Amla (c) Kumar Sangakkara AB De Villiers(wk) Steve Smith (vc) Brendon Mcculum Angelo Mathews Mitchell Johnson Dale Steyn Tim Southee Rangana Herath
Dan Ced
Guest
Needs AB in place of Dhoni, Dhoni is a testmatch gumby! Younis Khan is a good inclusion.. but I'm not quite sure if I'd put Anderson in this year. I'd still want Amla in the team I think. Almla, ABDV and Steyn are must haves. Maybe he'd have to be 12th man.
Jason
Roar Rookie
I didn't have MS Dhoni in my team because of his retirement from Test cricket.
Ryan Eckford
Roar Guru
While I think all of your selections are good and valid ones, I have a different best World Test XI for 2014. My 2014 Test World XI 1. B. McCullum (c) 2. D. Warner 3. K. Sangakkara 4. Younis Khan 5. S. Smith 6. A. Mathews (vc) 7. MS. Dhoni (wk) 8. M. Johnson 9. D. Steyn 10. R. Herath 11. J. Anderson What do you think?
Nick
Guest
Amla as captain? Over McCullum? Nah bro
Bucks
Guest
Maybe; Warner Amla (vc) Sangakkara Smith McCullum (c) Mathews de Villiers (wk) Johnson Steyn Southee Herath 12th - Harris 13th - Root 14th - Hughes
Alex Stephens
Roar Rookie
From what i remember, Morne Morkel was toothless against Australia averaging something in the 60's! Yes he performed well against Sri Lanka but his yearly average has been boosted largely thanks to South Africa playing tests against the likes of Zimbabwe and the West Indies - who arn't the strongest of test batting outfits! Ryan Harris has performed consistently against the batting lineups of India, England and South Africa and as such, I would take him every day of the week in a World XI.
ajay
Guest
and why not angelo mathews ?avz over 80 (by memory) as a skipper instead of de Kock I would put him in the squad with Sangakkara taking gloves !