Sportskeeda's Test XI of 2017
The end of the year has arrived and it is time to acknowledge exceptional performances in Test cricket from 11 of the most consistent cricketers.
Sportskeeda consolidates this into a Test XI for 2017, a line-up featuring Steven Smith as captain and two all-rounders in Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja.
Here goes the playing XI of 2017:
Openers
Dean Elgar - 1,128 runs at 53.71
He took his time to settle into South Africa's premier opener's role after the departure of Graeme Smith, but once he did, Dean Elgar ensured stability at the top. Elgar got a hundred against virtually every opposition that South Africa faced in 2017, whether at home or away. He hit a century each against Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England and two against Bangladesh – he got 31 in his only innings against Zimbabwe – and in total, raked up a massive 1,128 runs at 53.71 with five centuries and four half-centuries.
David Warner - 997 runs at 49.85
David Warner began, and ended, the year with a century at home. His 113 against Pakistan at Sydney before lunch on the first day set the tone for the rest of the year, where he ended up averaging just short of 50. Consecutive centuries on the spin-friendly surfaces of Bangladesh reminded us of his ability to play in unfriendly conditions, though one of them went in vain. With sporadic half-centuries and a Boxing Day ton against England, Warner accumulated 997 runs including four fifties and centuries each in 2017.