LONDON, CMC – Gifted West Indies middle order batsman Darren Bravo has been named in ESPN’s Cricinfo Test XI of 2011.
Bravo, a 22-year-old left-hander from Trinidad & Tobago, scored 949 runs at an average of 49.94 in 2011. In the closing stages of the year, he hit a career-best 195 against Bangladesh in Mirpur and 166 off India in Mumbai.
Of the team selected by Cricinfo’s staffers, only one of the names, Alastair Cook, the England opener, gained a full house of 18 votes, while veteran India batsman Rahul Dravid – with three votes as an opener – and Ian Bell of England had 16 each.
Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara, who ended the year as the No. 1 batsman in the rankings, was a surprising omission, having gained just five votes, but Matt Prior of England didn’t have much competition as wicket-keeper.
South Africa fast bowler Vernon Philander pushed for a spot after his fantastic start, although on the whole there was consensus on the bowlers.
There are six England players in the team, two from Pakistan and one each from West Indies, India and South Africa.
Test XI of 2011 – Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, James Anderson (England), Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan), Darren Bravo (West Indies), Rahul Dravid (India), Dale Steyn (South Africa).
