Test Cricket's worst-performing XI so far this year

In spite of the declining viewership, the five-day game has not failed to produce exciting matches. India's tour of England was the best tournament of the year and Australia's draw against Pakistan in the 1st match held in UAE recently has been the best match this year. With India's tour to Australia set to begin by the end of this year, Test Cricket looks to end on a high. With the Test Championship announced by International Cricket Council (ICC), the fans of the longer version of the game will have an entertaining time ahead.

Like every year, 2018 has also seen the best and the worst in cricket. Every sport will have a few good and bad performers every year. All these players have worked hard and made it to the top. However, some of these players have not done well for their teams this year. We have compiled a balanced playing XI of such players in this slideshow.

---

---

#1 Openers - Murali Vijay and Alastair Cook

Although Cook announced retirement this year, he has had little success this year apart from the century in his final game against India. He has been struggling since his long-time opening partner Andrew Strauss left the game and has received a lot of criticism since then.

After a string of failures, Cook decided to quit the game and make way for the youngsters.Both Cook and Murali Vijay have been a consistent part of their teams for some time now. They had been restricted only to the longer format and have played many match-winning innings in the past. However, this year has not been good for them.

Vijay has been a failure in the overseas tours against South Africa and England this year. He was dropped in England and later for the home series against Windies too. With Prithvi Shaw making inroads into the national team, Vijay will need to impress in Ranji Trophy to get back in the reckoning.

#2 Middle order - Sarfraz Ahmed, Hashim Amla, Shaun Marsh

Amla has had a difficult time this year

Although Hashim Amla has been one of the best Test players in the last 5 years, he has not been able to perform to expectations this year. Apart from a few rare successes, Amla has been quite average this year.

Shaun Marsh could have utilized Warner and Steve Smith's absence from the game to cement his place in the squad. However, the elder Marsh brother has failed in most of the matches this year. He will have limited opportunities once the banned duo come back.

Sarfraz, Pakistan's captain has failed to contribute with the bat this year. Being one of the most experienced players in the squad, the wicket-keeper has failed to generate any attention towards his batting.

---

#3 Wicket-keeper - Quinton de Kock

De Kock has long been considered as Adam Gilchrist's successor in international cricket. De Kock was promising at the beginning of the career and provided many good innings at No. 6 in Test Cricket. He has been a failure this year though as he has lost his form recently. He was vulnerable to spin in the home series against India. This has also affected his form in limited-overs and he will look to get back to form before the World Cup.

De Kock has had a rare off-season with South Africa

#4 All-rounders - Hardik Pandya and Angelo Mathews

Hardik is still the best fast-bowling all-rounder in India

All-rounders are a crucial element in the game of cricket and more so in the longer format. The ability to contribute both with the bat and the ball is an asset in Test Cricket.

This year, Ben Stokes and Ravi Ashwin have topped the all-rounder rankings this year which has also seen Jason Holder making a surprise entry into this group.

However, two talented all-rounders in Hardik Pandya and Angelo Mathews have failed to contribute much to their teams this year. Angelo Mathews has seen his batting form dip in the last few years. His injury constraints have not allowed him to bowl and this has been affecting the team's balance. He is no longer the captain of the team and is slowly losing out his spot in the squad.

Though Hardik Pandya has performed well in patches this year, he has not been able to justify the long rope which has been given to him. Apart from one Test match in England, Hardik has disappointed the Indian fans who have been waiting for a fast bowling all-rounder for a long time. He can still make a name for himself if he does well in Australia.

#5 Bowlers - Adil Rashid, Josh Hazlewood, Mohammad Amir

Hazlewood has failed to take wickets for Australia this year

Adil Rashid took just 10 wickets in 10 innings against India this year despite being the only genuine spinner in the squad apart from Moeen Ali. Despite the success of other spinners in some matches in the Test series, Rashid failed to have a positive impact on the team.

Two of the best fast bowlers in the last few years, Josh Hazlewood and Mohammed Amir have been unsuccessful this year. Hazlewood has failed in the struggling Aussie team and failed to replicate his past performances. However, he will have the chance to redeem himself in the upcoming series against India.

Mohammed Amir is no longer part of the Pakistan team as Mohammed Abbas has been a sensation in recent times. Amir has failed to use his swing to trouble the batsmen which has affected his bowling figures. He will want to get back into the national team before the World Cup.