Once considered the bible of cricket, Wisden has released its 2024 Test team of the year.

The list, compiled by 41 highly respected English cricket journalists, features five English players, three Indians, a Sri Lankan and a couple of Kiwis.

The opening pair of Yashasvi Kaiswal and Ben Duckett would strike fear into the hearts of any bowling attack, with England’s Zak Crawley a touch unlucky that only two openers could be chosen.

Kiwi star Kane Williamson snuck past Jacob Bethell for the No.3 spot, while Joe Root virtually picked himself at No.4 after having a slightly more productive year than Virat Kohli. The India legend unfortunately had his intimidatory skills against debutant teens overlooked when evaluating the strength of his 2024 performance.

At No.5 is England”s nominee for the greatest batsman of all time, Harry Brook. Brook had an outstandingly entertaining 2024, showing aspiring cricketers around the world that technique is the most overrated weapon in the modern batsman’s armoury. Coaches take note, if the kid can shut his eyes, swing like a drunken axeman and still hit the ball, you might have yourself a Jedi and the next Harry Brook.

Ollie Pope was extremely unlucky to miss out on the No.6 spot, with rising Sri Lankan star Kamindu Mendis answering the Wisden editor’s call for more diversity.

There was only one choice when it came to the best gloveman of 2024 and that was England’s Jamie Smith. His performances through the year were made to look even more spectacular when compared with the efforts of his rosey-cheeked predecessor. 

The spin bowling role was surprisingly given to Ravindra Jadeja despite the 49 wickets collected by England’s Shoaib Bashir. 

Angus Atkinson was devastating for England during the year in collecting 52 Test wickets, while New Zealand’s Matt Henry edged out Ben Stokes for the lower order allrounder role.

Finally, while there may be some doubts over his bowling action, there were none concerning Jasprit Bumrah’s place in this team as captain. Bumrah had an outstanding year, grabbing the opportunity presented through Jimmy Anderson’s retirement with both hands.

What Wisden’s team of the year fully illustrates is just how lucky both Australia and South Africa were to make it into the World Test Championship final, seeing how neither nation could produce a player worthy of a place in the much-vaunted line-up.

England may have struggled to win Test matches in 2024, but this list is clear evidence that their players remain a level above the rest. It must be remembered that they play with an attacking, entertaining style that is single-handedly saving Test cricket. You only had to look at the crowds in attendance during the Border-Gavaskar series to appreciate what a magnificent job England are doing to keep the most traditional form of the great game alive.

Pat Cummins and his men will have to do much better in 2025 to make Wisden’s next list.