To complete the Test match section of the awards.
Test Match of the Year.
This was a closely contested category with the third Test between Pakistan and West Indies in Sharjah very close in second, memorable most indelibly for Kraigg Brathwaite's batting heroics.
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/m ... 50233.htmlThe best Test of 2016 is BANGLADESH'S VICTORY OVER ENGLAND IN DHAKA by 108 runs. I doubt too many England supporters will rue this landmark victory by the home side. Perhaps the most undeservedly overlooked batting of the year was by Tamim Iqbal in this series as he continued his dominance of England bowlers (6 Tests, 3 hundreds, average 61.3). He was the top scorer over the two Tests on either side with 231 runs, way ahead of Imran Kayes' 143. It's a shame that he has no opportunity to have a Test career commensurate with his talents. His 104 out of 220 in the second Test was a huge contribution and he was the only batter on either side to get near a ton.
The Bangladeshi spinners were the match winners, taking all twenty wickets. Mehedi Hasan (12-159 at 18!), Shakib al Hasan (5-90) and Taijul Islam (3-72) strangled the England batters with a grip their bowlers couldn't replicate. England were damn relieved to win in Chittagong and Bangladesh drawing level in Dhaka was more than merited. It was easy to wish their fans well, at the ground and around the world, for this first really significant Test win. But for me the touching moment was watching Mehedi Hasan walk off the field in victory; a little shy and uncertain, looking to his older team mates for a clue of how to behave, when they hardly knew themselves.
So a satisfying, even harmlessly sentimental, moment to remember from the last year. And that's pretty much what it should be all about. If cricket can't be an opportunity to stimulate our sporting qualities, participant or spectator, then what is it for? Well done Bangladesh!
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/m ... 29827.htmlOverall Player of the Year.
No one voted for anyone other than VIRAT KOHLI!
So no arguments!
Thanks for all the votes. It was a very good turnout and I appreciate it.
I always say that everybody's right.