ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2022: An inspirational leader, an aggressive batter, a classy opener, and a fiery pacer constitute our nominees for the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2022 award.
Nominees for ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2022
Ben Stokes – England
- 870 runs and 26 wickets in 15 matches; nine wins as captain
Ben Stokes, along with Brendon McCullum has changed the fortunes of English Test cricket in 2022. Struggling for results and at the rock-bottom of the World Test Championship standings. Stokes took over an English side that was struggling for confidence.
Under his inspiring leadership, a confident and aggressive unit has now developed. Winning nine out of ten Test matches in 2022. The ultra-aggressive style of cricket that England plays under Stokes is a result of his repeated statements about removing the players’ fear of failure.
Stokes has also been a role model, doing well both with the bat and the ball this year. He has amassed 870 runs, two hundreds. Four half-centuries, 26 wickets taken at an average of 31.19, and two centuries.
Some Memorable performances by the Cricketer
With the loss of the opening Test at home to South Africa, England suffered their first setback under the leadership of Stokes. Stokes stepped up when there was a need for one and delivered, making a superb 103 in the first innings. As England rallied to overcome South Africa by an innings in Manchester and go on to win the series 2-1. He also recorded figures of 2/17 and 2/30 in the game.
Jonny Bairstow – England
- 1061 runs in 10 matches
Perhaps the biggest winner from Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes taking over as captain and coach of England’s Test team has been Jonny Bairstow. Given the opportunity to play his offensive game. Bairstow had one of his most successful Test seasons, sparking a renaissance.
In the ten Test matches that he participated in in 2022, Bairstow amassed 1061 runs at a mind-boggling average of 66.31 and a strike rate of 76. He recorded six centuries and one half-century demonstrating an excellent conversion rate. If not for a bizarre golf injury that prevented him from playing in the final home Test against South Africa and the tour of Pakistan, the year may have been even better.
Some Memorable performances by the Cricketer
In the postponed fifth Test against India, Bairstow demonstrated how dangerous he had developed into in the middle order. In order to keep England in the game in Birmingham, he first scored a counterattacking 106 off 140 in the first innings. He improved even further in the second innings. After Scoring 114 and creating an outstanding stand with Joe Root as England chased down 378 to tie the series.
Usman Khawaja – Australia
- 1080 runs in 11 matches
During the Ashes in 2022, Khawaja found his way back to the Australian side from the wilderness and made sure that no one else took his place once more. Both as an opener and in the middle order, there were several standout performances.
Khawaja was an essential member of Australia’s batting lineup during the second half of the Ashes and their historic victory in Pakistan. He amassed 1080 runs overall in 11 games, a staggering average of 67.50. He has scored four hundreds and five half-centuries so far this year. And because to his efforts, Australia has advanced to the World Test Championship final.
Some Memorable performances by the Cricketer
Khawaja thrashed the England bowlers during the Ashes test in Sydney after making a long absence from the team. He hit century in each of Australia’s innings (137 and 101*). Which helped the team win the match and the series. Although England’s heroics on the final day allowed them to hold on for a draw. Khawaja had already made his presence known.
Kagiso Rabada – South Africa
- 47 wickets in nine matches
In 2022, Kagiso Rabada continued to be South Africa’s star player with the ball, making critical plays when they mattered most. He played a key role in some legendary Test victories for South Africa over India, New Zealand, and England in a year to remember.
Rabada amassed 47 wickets overall in just nine games, striking out at a horrifying strike rate of 34.1 and an amazing average of 22.25. Additionally, he amassed two five-wicket hauls, with his best total being 5/52.
Some Memorable performances by the Cricketer
In the opening Test match at Lord’s against England, Rabada was on a tear and sent down some ferocious deliveries. He recorded 5/52 in the first innings, aiding South Africa in forcing England to settle for 165. Then, as South Africa knocked England out for 149 to win the game by an innings and 12 runs and take a 1-0 series lead. He followed it up with a methodical performance of 2/27 in the second innings.
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