New Delhi: The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Monday announced the nominees for the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year 2024. A total of four candidates were shortlisted for the prestigious award for the excellence in the red-ball format throughout the year.
England batter Joe Root and India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who have finished as the No.1 ranked batter and bowler in the ICC Test rankings, have been included as the nominees for their prolific run for their respective departments. England middle order batter Harry Brook and Sri Lanka’s rising batter Kamindu Mendis are also the contenders to Bumrah and Root for the Test cricket of the Year award.
The nominees were announced right after the completion of the two Boxing-Day Test matches of South Africa-Pakistan in Cenurion and Australia-India in Melbourne. A total of 54 Test matches were played in the last 12 months and England have played the most Tests (17) followed by India (15).
A look at the performances of the nominees in 2024
Joe Root has been constant with the bat, blazing runs and shattering records, inching towards the 13,000 Test run-mark. The prolific England batter amassed 1556 runs in 31 innings at an average of 55.57 with the assistance of six centuries and five fifties. He recorded his career-best score of 262 in the first Test against Pakistan in Multan. He has now completed 36 Test hundreds, a joint-highest feat with Indian batter Rahul Dravid.
Jasprit Bumrah has had a phenomenal year of Test cricket as for the very first time he picked more than 50 wickets in Test cricket. He finished the year with 71 dismissals at an astounding average with the help of five fifers in the year. He also led India in the absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma in the first Test in Perth and the team won by a heavy margin of 295 runs to take a 1-0 lead down under.
Harry Brook made 1100 runs in 20 innings at 55 with the involvement of four centuries and three fifties. He became the sixth England player to score a triple-century in Tests after recording career-best figures of 317.
Meanwhile, Kamindu Mendis was the sixth batter to score over 1000 Test runs in 2024 (1049 runs at 74.92). His average of 74.92 was the best among batters who played more than two Tests. His sublime form helped Sri Lanka register win against England in the final Test at The Oval, and sweep the two-match Test series against New Zealand in the island nation.
The ICC announced the nominees for the 2024 Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year award. Joe Root and Jasprit Bumrah, currently ranked No. 1 in batting and bowling respectively, are among the four nominees. Harry Brook (England) and Kamindu Mendis (Sri Lanka) complete the list. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
