After weeks of research, the iafrica.com selectors have finally nailed down their top 11 cricket players and selected their World XI for 2008 — both Test and ODI.

TEST TEAM OF THE YEAR:

1. Graeme Smith (captain): In the build-up to the Test series against Australia, the South African captain was at the top of the list for most Test runs scored in 2008, clubbing five centuries (one of which he converted into a double). The burly left-hander gets the captain’s armband after maturing into an astute leader who seldom gets the credit he deserves.

2. Virender Sehwag: Displaying his customary lack of respect for any bowling attack, India’s opener reached the three-figure mark only three times over the past 12 months, yet he counts an unbeaten double ton and a merciless 319 (against a shell-shocked Proteas side) as his highest scores. What the right-hander lacks in consistency, he more than makes up for with sheer explosiveness (he is the run-away leader for most sixes in Tests in 2008). His handy off-spin has also garnered a few crucial scalps.

3. VVS Laxman: In the year he celebrated his 100th Test for India, Laxman again saved his best for the Australians, registering yet another double century against the men from Down Under. Simply put, anyone who consistently dishes it out to the Aussies deserves a place in this World XI!

4. Kevin Pietersen: Love him or hate him, England captain Pietersen has been amongst the runs again this year. The ex-South African passed fifty on five occasions and only once failed to convert to three figures. And of course, seeing Pietersen play in a team captained by arch-enemy Graeme Smith would be worth the admission price alone.

5. Michael Hussey: Going about things in his usual workman-like manner, Hussey collected plenty of runs during the year without making the headlines all that much. And although the Australian left-hander didn’t score at a blistering pace, his dependability and appetite for a scrap makes him indispensable in this middle-order.

6. Hashim Amla: The bearded wonder really stepped up in 2008, proving numerous doubters dead wrong with his unique technique and remarkable strength of mind. While remaining ruthless off his legs, Amla’s improvement through the off-side seems to have been the platform for his recent run of success. Despite making his runs at first drop for the Proteas, Amla finds himself at number six in this World XI, primed to take on the second new ball.

7. Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wicketkeeper): A few other wicketkeepers may have effected more dismissals in 2008, but Dhoni’s all-round game sees him secure the spot behind the stumps. The talismanic Indian was only just edged by Graeme Smith to the World XI captaincy, and would make a more than able deputy. Dhoni was solid behind the stumps, impressive down the order and quite simply inspirational in his leadership.

8. Brett Lee: The Aussie speedster found himself delivering plenty of overs for a truly fast bowler in 2008, but was handsomely rewarded for his efforts with well over fifty scalps. A capable number eight with the willow, Lee was also involved in a couple of useful lower-order partnerships during the year.

9. Harbhajan Singh: The fiery off-spinner was central to India’s incredible success over the past 12 months and finds himself slugging it out at the top of the ‘Most Wickets’ list as the year draws to a close. Harbhajan’s remarkable variety saw to the downfall of many a batsman and he even added a handful of half-centuries (interestingly, all against Australia) down the order.

10. Mitchell Johnson: The Australian has a knack for picking up big wickets, and his left-arm bowling style brings valuable variety to this line-up. Johnson has a work ethic off the field that trumps the majority his contemporaries, and one of the ways this dedication has manifested itself is in his improved contributions with the bat.

11. Dale Steyn: The ‘Phalaborwa Express’ truly was the world’s premier Test bowler in 2008, and an average of less than twenty bears testament. Steyn thrilled Proteas fans with a plain old enthusiasm for bowling really quick not seen since the days of Allan Donald. But don’t think he’s just about the pace; Steyn can produce prodigious swing and has an excellent slower ball to boot. Fittingly, Steyn was named ICC Test Player of the Year 2008. Bring on 2009!

Barend Prins Test XI: Virender Sehwag, Graeme Smith (captain), Hashim Amla, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ashwell Prince, MS Dhoni (wk), Brett Lee, Harbhajan Singh, Ryan Sidebottom, Dale Steyn

Howard Kahn Test XI: Graeme Smith (captain), Virender Sehwag, Hashim Amla, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Ashwell Prince, Mark Boucher (wk), Brett Lee, Ryan Sidebottom, Dale Steyn, Ajantha Mendis

Rob Peters Test XI: Graeme Smith (captain), Virender Sehwag, Hashim Amla, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, AB de Villiers (wk), Ashwell Prince, Andrew Symonds, Harbhajan Singh, Brett Lee, Ryan Sidebottom, Dale Steyn

Zunaid Ismael Test XI: Graeme Smith (captain), Gautam Gambhir, Hashim Amla, Sachin Tendulkar, Kevin Pietersen, Andrew Symonds, MS Dhoni (wk), Brett Lee, Ishant Sharma, Dale Steyn, Ajantha Mendis

  • Take a look at our ODI team on page two!
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