The International Cricket Council (ICC) always awards the best performances at the end of the calender year. But, there’s hardly any mention about the worst performances. In this article, we will have a look at 5 worst Test batsmen of 2014:
1) ALASTAIR COOK
Alastair Cook is an obvious choice in this list. His technique was exposed, he was low on confidence and he struggled to put bat to ball. Cook, who has scored 25 centuries in his Test career so far, failed to score even a single century in 2014. 2014 was a year that Alastair Cook would want to get as soon as possible, because he struggled, both as a batsman and captain.
Alastair Cook managed to score 395 runs in 13 innings at an average of 32.5, which is very less for a player of his calibre.
2) SHANE WATSON
Australian all-rounder Shane Watson missed quite a few Test matches due to an injury. But, even when he got full fit and made a comeback, Watson, as always, struggled to convert the starts into big scores and threw away his wickets cheaply, which led to a lot of pressure on the middle-order.
Shane Watson scored 258 runs in 10 innings at an average of 25.80. This is highly unacceptable for a batsman who at bats no. 3 in Test cricket.
3) SHIKHAR DHAWAN
India’s swashbuckling opener Shikhar Dhawan’s story is very similar to Shane Watson. Dhawan, who made a scintillating start to his ODI career, threw his wicket away after getting starts, throughout the year. Dhawan made a terrific start to the year by scoring a brilliant century against New Zealand in the first Test in Auckland. But, as the year progressed, Dhawan’s technique got exposed and he exhibited a clear problem against the moving ball outside the off stump.
Shikhar Dhawan scored only 504 runs in the 15 innings he played in 2014 at an average of 33.6.
4) ROHIT SHARMA
2014 will be always be a very special year for Rohit Sharma, as he became the first batsman to score two double centuries in ODI cricket. But, in Test cricket, Rohit struggled to score runs and threw his wicket cheaply at key moments.
Rohit Sharma managed to get only 237 runs in 10 innings at an average of 26.33.
5) LAHIRU THIRIMANNE
After the retirement of Mahela Jayawardene, Sri Lanka have shown a lot of faith in Lahiru Thirimanne in Test cricket. Thirimanne is rated very highly in Sri Lanka, but he failed to showcase his talent in Test cricket in 2014.
Lahiru Thirimanne scored only 133 runs in the 10 innings he played at an average of 13.30.
By The Cricket Lounge
