Robert Craddock’s Test team of the year for 2017

THREE Australians have made Robert Craddock’s best Test XI for 2017, but three other stars are shock exclusions. Find out who was the best in the world over the last 12 months.

Day 5 of the 4th Ashes test. Australia vs. England at the MCG. Australian skipper Steve smith brings up his century. Pic: Michael Klein

AUSTRALIA is confident it has the pace attack to rule the world but the cold statistical returns of 2017 tells us the job is not done yet.

Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc can be proud of their efforts in 2017 and the promise it gives them as a unit and Australia, as a team, for the future.

But while finger spinner Nathan Lyon took six more wickets than any other Test bowler in the world in 2017 no Australian fast man finished inside the top 10 on the list.

Hazlewood (11th with 34 at 25), Cummins (17th with 29 at 29) and Starc (26 at 26 from six Tests) all finished with neat numbers and their collective crunch delivered Australia a spectacular Ashes triumph.

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A year in which Australia played six Tests on the turning decks in Asia was never going to be one where the fast bowlers shot the lights out.

But it is also clear Australia’s performances abroad will define its true standing as a Test nation, not simply its traditional dominance at home which is why Australia’s four Test tour of South Africa in March will be such a significant event.

My Test XI of the year (Starc was 12th man) features two worthy inclusions from Bangladesh, a 35 year old swing bowler and three Australians.

Step forward please …

Dean Elgar (1128 at 53.17 in 12 Tests): In the traditional of hard-nosed South African batsmen such as Kepler Wessels and Gary Kirsten comes the combative Elgar, a man not to be underestimated in the four Test series against Australia from March.

Scored Test centuries against four different nations in 2017 and while two against Bangladesh bloated his returns he was more than competitive against a buoyant England side at The Oval with a stirring 136.

Elgar is the classic South African batsman.

David Warner (997 runs at 49.85 from 11 Tests): Had some flat spots in the year, most notably in the most challenging environment of all in India where a top score of 56 for the series was short of the big score Australia needed. Took a while to get his teeth into the Ashes but still managed four tons for the year.

Cheteshwar Pujara (1140 runs at 67.05 from 11 Tests): As patient as a fly fisherman, the Indian number three scored a double century against Australia in Ranchi to crack his first 1000 run Test year.

Steve Smith (1305 at 76.76 in 11 Tests): The player of the year. A chameleon of the crease, he proved the most adaptable batsmen in the game, a barnacle at times and a powerhouse force at others. His 109 on a spinning minefield in Pune, India, was akin to spending an hour on a wild bucking bronco. Figures tell us he is literally twice as good as many of the teammates in the Australian top order.

Smith has been in top form all year.

Shai Hope (774 runs at 45 from 10 Tests): His numbers were not spectacular but his effort to pluck innings of 147 and 118 not out against England at Headingley from somewhere deep inside him was the most unexpected form spike of the year and gave hope to a generation of young West Indians that anything is possible.

Shakib Al Hasan (665 runs at 47.5 29 wickets at 33): Bangladesh’s outstanding all-rounder continues to score useful runs quickly and take regular wickets with his left arm spin. A double century against New Zealand and 10 wickets in a Test against Australia were the golden studs in a fine year.

Mushfiqur Rahim (766 runs at 54.71 from eight Tests): Bangladesh’s Minister For Everything bats, keeps and captains his side well. A thoroughly deserved choice here after centuries against India and New Zealand and a fighting 68 against Australia.

Bangladeshi cricket came of age in 2017.

Kagiso Rabada (57 wickets at 20.28 from 11 Tests): South Africa’s young tearaway was the game’s leading fast bowling wicket taker in 2017. Did some solid work against England in England and did well against some weaker teams to be a formidable foe in any conditions.

Ravi Ashwin (56 wickets at 27.58 from 11 Tests): The clever Indian finger spinner with tireless dedication and a fondness for a good scrap set India up for their series win against Australia. To beat India you have to beat him first. It’s hard to do.

James Anderson (55 wickets at 17.58 in 11 Tests): The first fast man chosen after a truly exceptional year, the Ashes loss notwithstanding. Thirty-five year old English swing bowlers are supposed to be scratching out living in county cricket, not taking five wickets in an innings against South Africa, the West Indies and Australia as he did in 2017. Hats off to you old warrior. Outstanding work.

Nathan Lyon (63 wickets at 23.55 in 13 Tests): Career best year when he proved off-spinners don’t need quirky variations to torment the world. Took 8-50 against India in Bangalore, filled his boots in Bangladesh and generally troubled all comers on all sorts of surfaces to take eight more wickets for the year from six less overs than the great Ashwin.