The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Tuesday unveiled the ICC Men's Test and ODI Team of the Year 2023, with two Royals players featuring across both teams. Veteran Indian off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has been named in the Test team, whereas Australia's Adam Zampa features in the ODI team of the year gone by. 

 

 

Ashwin's all-round contribution

Ashwin had a fruitful outing in 2023, picking up 41 wickets in 7 Tests that he played. In the Border-Gavaskar series, he emerged as India's top wicket-taker, claiming 25 wickets across four matches. He made a significant impact right from the first Test, securing a five-wicket haul in the second innings and making valuable contributions with the bat in both innings. His impressive performance throughout the series earned him the Player of the Series award. He didn't feature in India's Playing XI in the World Test Championship that year, but made a remarkable return to the Test team, taking 12 wickets (including figures of 5/60 and 7/71) in the first match against the West Indies, and followed it up with a half-century and three wickets in the subsequent game.

Zampa's victorious World Cup run

Aussie spinner Adam Zampa was at the forefront of leading his team's successful run at the ICC Men's ODI World Cup. By the end of the campaign that saw Australia lift the trophy for a record sixth time, Zampa captured 38 wickets with an average slightly over 26 and maintained an impressive economy rate below a run per ball. He also registered three consecutive four-wicket hauls and concluded the World Cup as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.