Crash’s team of the year: Irish bolter, Australian stars the best performers of 2023

Australia won the World Test Championships in 2023, producing a dominant year across 13 Test matches and securing four spots in ROBERT CRADDOCK’S Test team of the year. But an unknown Irishman has also forced his way in.

Did you hear the one about the Irish wicketkeeper who finally got to play a Test then found himself in a world team of the year?

It’s no joke. Lorcan Tucker, the Dublin-born 27-year-old who had to wait almost a decade to play a five-dayer, is a shock choice as gloveman in our world Test team of the year for a number of unexpected reasons.

The first factor that brought him into play was that none of the glovemen from the major nations had exceptional years.

It just didn’t feel right crowning Jonny Bairstow or Alex Carey or any of the other major glovemen who did not have their best years.

The free-scoring Tucker played all four of Ireland’s Tests and scored a century on debut against Bangladesh in challenging conditions in Dhaka, followed up with 80 against Sri Lanka in Galle then 44 against England at Lord’s.

His selection is also a reward for a country trying ultra-hard to play more Test cricket when most of the other nations are turning their backs on it.

Australia secured four spots in the team which has players from five nations.

A drum roll please for …

Usman Khawaja (Australia 13 Tests: 1210 runs at 52.6)

Outstanding. The only player in the world to crack 1000 runs. Faced more than 800 balls more than any other batsman in the year and double what anyone else faced in the Ashes. Amazing.

Usman Khawaja celebrates his century during day 2 of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Zak Crawley (England 8 Tests 606 runs at 43)

He will never have a record to match the greats but his gung ho style including this year’s strike rate of 88 makes him a joy to watch. His 480 runs at 53 in the Ashes made him a crucial force.

Zak Crawley celebrates his century against Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester, England. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images.

Joe Root (England 8 Tests. 757 at 65)

Bazball seems to have freed him up and shed the anxiety of being a former captain. Scored big runs quickly including two centuries and five 50s. An all time English great.

Joe Root sends a pull shot towards the rope at Lord's during the Ashes. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

New Zealand's Kane Williamson had a ‘rocks or diamonds’ year in 2023, but scored a double hundred at the Basin Reserve in Wellington in March. Picture: Marty Melville / AFP.

Kane Williamson (New Zealand. 7 Tests. 695 at 57.92) Had seven scores of 13 or below but four centuries in five innings against England, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in a rocks or diamonds year.

Travis Head (Australia 12 Tests 919 runs at 41.77)

Yet to set the house on fire this Test summer but he’s a unique force. Has to be included an epic 163 off 174 balls against India in the World Test Championship final against India.

Travis Head cemented himself as a fan favourite after crucial centuries in the World Test Final and World Cup Final in 2023, and imitated the great Merv Hughes in front of Bay 13 in the Boxing Day Test. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images.

Ravi Jadeja (India 7 matches 33 wickets at 19, 281 runs at 35)

Cricket’s most underrated player pips Australia’s resurgent Mitchell Marsh after coming back from injury to play a leading role in India’s series defeat of Australia with his probing spin and middle order fight again proving decisive.

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja was a triple threat with bat, ball, and in the field in 2023, making Robert Craddock’s team of the year. Picture: Money Sharma / AFP)

Lorcan Tucker (Ireland 4 Tests 351 runs at 43.8)

Irish keeper who swings the bat hard.

Lorcan Tucker walks off the field after an Irish victory in the ICC men’s Twenty20 World Cup over the West Indies at Bellerive Oval in 2022. Picture: David Gray / AFP.

Ravi Ashwin (India 7 Tests 41 wickets at 17)

Captivating character, deep thinker and occasional pot-stirrer, his mesmeric off-spin wore down Australia in India as it so often does to gift wrap the retention of The Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

India's Ravi Ashwin appeals for the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. Picture: William West / AFP)

Stuart Broad (England 8 matches. 38 wickets at 26)

A showman with substance, he signed off for good after the last Test at the Oval after taking 22 wickets in the Ashes, one fewer than series leader Mitchell Starc.

English quick Stuart Broad celebrates the wicket of Alex Carey in the final match of his career on Day 5 of the final Ashes Test at The Oval. Picture: Gareth Copley/Getty Images.

Pat Cummins (Australia. 11 matches. 42 wickets at 27)

Didn’t have his best Ashes but – like Warne, Lillee and McGrath – has an incredible capacity to take the big wickets when needed most. His cool captaincy is drawing the best from others.

Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins walk off after hitting the winning runs during Day 5 of the First Ashes Test at Edgbaston. Picture: Visionhaus/Getty Images.

Nathan Lyon (Australia 10 Tests 47 wickets at 24.95)

Was the year’s leading wicket-taker despite missing three Ashes Tests with a calf injury. His bankable presence in the Australian team has echoes of Dennis Walter’s at Carols By Candlelight – they just turn up year after year and never seem to miss a note.

Originally published as Crash’s team of the year: Irish bolter, Australian stars the best performers of 2023