Unlike many other individual sports, where the performance of a single individual matters, Cricket is a total team game in which all the players contribute to their team’s victory. All the 11 players on the field go out with only one aim, that is, to perform well and win for their country. The year 2014 was filled with cricketing action with all the teams fighting it out to be the best in the world. So without wasting any further time, we bring to you the top 10 best cricket teams of 2014
10. Zimbabwe
Starting the list of the top 10 best cricket teams of 2014 is Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe won only one series in the year by defeating Bangladesh 2-1 in the 3-match One Day International series. But the highlight of the year for them was the test match victory against Pakistan.
9. Bangladesh
Like Zimbabwe, Bangladesh managed to pull off only one series victory in the calendar year, a 3-0 ODI whitewash of New Zealand. However, Bangladesh performed pretty well overall as they drew the test series against New Zealand and Zimbabwe and just narrowly lost the 2 match test series against Sri Lanka by 1-0.
8. NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand failed to win a single test match in the year which is why they are at number 8 in the rankings. The Kiwis won only two T20 International series, one each against England and Bangladesh. Their poor performance in Tests and ODIs has been the major factor in the deterioration of their rankings.
7. West Indies
A home series against Zimbabwe in the year helped West Indies to improve their ratings and earned them a place at number 7, above the Black Caps. The West Indies didn’t fare well on their travels as they lost the ODI and Test series against India and Australia.
6. Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka played 19 international matches this year and won 10 of them, taking their winning ratio to 52.6% for the year. The island nation played all their matches at home which helped them to maintain their consistent performance throughout the year. They also qualified for the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy this year but lost to the eventual champions India.
5. Pakistan
Many will be surprised to see Pakistan in the top 5. The performance of the green shirts this year was mixed. After their dismal showing in the first half of the year, which included poor display in the Champions Trophy, the Pakistani team picked themselves up and won back to back series against West Indies and Zimbabwe. So yeah, this makes Pakistani cricket team the 5th best in the list of ttop 10 best cricket teams of 2014.
4. Australia
The Aussies started the year with a 5-0 thumping of West Indies at home. After which they suffered heavy defeats in the test series against India and England but showed resilience in the ODI series and won 2-1 against England in their own backyard. Overall it was a good year for the Kangaroo nation.
3. England
England had a strong year in all three formats of the game. They outclassed New Zealand at home and away in both Tests and ODIs and also won 3-0 against their bitter rivals Australia in the 5-match test series held in the summer. They also hosted the Champions Trophy and were the runners-up in the 8 team tournament.
2. South Africa
The number 1 test side in the world and one of the most consistent sides in the One Day format, the South Africans are placed at 2 in the rating of the top 10 best cricket team of 2014. With a win percentage of 60%, the rainbow nation had a very successful year. They also reached the semi-finals of the ICC Champions Trophy.
1. India
India deservedly takes the number 1 spot in our top 10 best cricket teams of 2014. The Men in Blue’s triumph in the Champions Trophy held in England was their outstanding achievement this year. They also remained unbeaten in tournament. Strong outings against Australia, Zimbabwe and West Indies helped India to claim the number 1 spot in ODIs.
