To mark ANZAC Day, here is a Test XI that brings together the best of Australia and New Zealand
Best of Australia and Black Caps in Anzac XI
Over the past 12 months, Australia and New Zealand have continued to be two of the dominant powers in world cricket.
While Australia claimed both Test series between the trans-Tasman rivals in the last six months, winning both at home and away, the Black Caps were triumphant in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and advanced to the semi-final of the ICC World T20 in India.
With today marking the 101st anniversary of the Gallipoli landing, the two proud nations have once again joined forces to form an ANZAC XI.
David Warner
Matches: 33 | Runs: 2,052 | Average: 48.85 | SR: 91.20 | 100s: 5 | HS: 253
The performance: Consistent rain ruined the New Year's Test in Sydney, but the committed fans that turned out on day five in the hope of sunshine and some play were richly rewarded with a David Warner special. Warner has been an entertainer ever since he first represented Australia in 2009 and nothing has changed in the seven years since. The left-hander tore apart the West Indies, scoring his 16th Test century off just 82 balls – the fastest Test ton ever at the SCG.
Martin Guptill
Matches: 43 | Runs: 2,194 | Average: 45.70 | SR: 89.88 | 100s: 4 | HS: 156
The performance: Guptill was in a hurry when he went berserk against Sri Lanka In Christchurch last December. Chasing 118 to win, Guptill scored an remarkable 93 off only 30 balls to track down the target in 8.2 overs. It was a jaw-dropping display of power hitting from one of the game's most destructive limited-overs batsmen. He clocked nine fours and eight sixes. He reached his half-century off 17 balls – the second-fastest ever. And his strike rate of 310 is the second-highest ever in a score of 50 or more in ODI cricket.
Kane Williamson
Matches: 42 | Runs: 2,510 | Average: 54.56 | SR: 77.15 | 100s: 5 | HS: 166
The performance: We could have gone for his century at Lord's. Or his unbeaten ton to guide the Black Caps to a win over Sri Lanka. But we opted for his almost faultless 140 against Australia in Brisbane. It's the innings that prompted the great Allan Border to declare he would want Williamson to bat for his life. Praise like that doesn't get much higher.
Steve Smith (c)
Matches: 38 | Runs: 2,344 | Average: 55.80 | SR: 71.07 | 100s: 7 | HS: 215
The performance: While we overlooked Williamson's effort at Lord's, we couldn't do the same for Smith's brilliant 215 at the Home of Cricket. It was the first since Bill Brown's 206no in 1938 that an Australian had scored an Ashes double-century at Lord's, and Smith's 284-run second-wicket partnership with Chris Rogers was a record for any wicket by an Australian duo at the famous ground. Most importantly, the innings contributed to a heavy Australian win that levelled the Ashes at 1-all.
Adam Voges
Matches: 15 | Runs: 1,337 | Average: 95.50 | SR: 59.36 | 100s: 5 | HS: 269
The performance: It was year Adam Voges wishes he could bottle and sell it for a million bucks. His average of 542 against the West Indies would seem an anomaly, an aberration, an error. Unbelievably, it is accurate, and 269 of those runs (unbeaten, of course) came in a world record partnership with Shaun Marsh in Hobart. The pair combined for the highest fourth-wicket partnership in Test cricket, the highest partnership in Test in Australia, the highest partnership against the West Indies, and the second-highest partnership for Australia. At one point in the year Voges' overall average was more than 100, you know, like Don Bradman. It was a very good year for Adam Voges.
Brendon McCullum
Matches: 21 | Runs: 893 | Average: 33.07 | SR: 110.65 | 100s: 1 | HS: 145
The performance: In his final 101st and final Test, McCullum left international cricket with one last swashbuckling innings. It just so happened to be the fastest Test century ever. His century came off just 54 balls, eclipsing the 56-ball mark held by Viv Richards and Misbah-ul-Haq.
BJ Watling (wk)
Matches: 9 | Runs: 514 | Average: 36.71 | SR: 52.88 | 100s: 1 | HS: 120 | Dismissals: 33 (31ct, 2st)
The performance: Watling produced a man-of-the-match performance in New Zealand's series-levelling Test win in Leeds last June. The right-hander scored 120 in the Black Caps' 8-454 in the second innings after both sides were equal after batting once each. His ton was scored at a brisk rate, striking at 73.61 during his stay at the crease. An accomplished gloveman, Watling was playing as a designated batsman in this match, but earns his place as the wicketkeeper in this side.
Mitchell Starc
Matches: 16 | Wickets: 49 | Average: 26.32 | SR: 41.2 | BB: 6-111 | 5 fa's: 2
The performance: It wasn't his biggest haul or most economical, but it sure was his fastest. Starc's lightning display in Perth against New Zealand evoked memories of the days of Lillee and Thomson crashing through batting orders for fun. Unfortunately for Starc, his deliveries were too fast for the batsmen and his fielders attempting to catch them. One spell was particularly pulsating, reaching speeds in the 150kph region until a thunderous yorker was recorded at 160.4kph.
Josh Hazlewood
Matches: 21 | Wickets: 67 | Average: 26.58 | SR: 46.7 | BB: 6-70 | 5 fa's: 2
The performance: It was a breakthrough year for Hazlewood who, unlike his peers, didn't break down. The country kid from northern NSW led the attack in all three formats, but had the most success in the five-day game, with the red and pink ball. His haul of 6-70 in the inaugural day-night Test in Adelaide swung the match in the favour of the hosts. He finished with 9-133 and his best bowling performance in Test cricket.
Nathan Lyon
Matches: 18 | Wickets: 58 | Average: 28.29 | SR: 51.7 | BB: 4-66 | 5 fa's: 0
The performance: Lyon's potency has progressed to the point where he's a threat in any innings of Test cricket. Against the West Indies in the Boxing Day Test, the off-spinner claimed 4-66 in the tourists' first-innings, then backed it up with 3-85 to be named the man of the match.
Trent Boult
Matches: 20 | Wickets: 61 | Average: 28.81 | SR: 44.6 | BB: 5-60 | 5 fa's: 2
The performance: It's a dream of any Test cricketer to have your name up on the Lord's honours board. Boult achieved that feat with 5-85 in England's second innings. While the Test didn't go the Black Caps' way, Boult finished with match figures of 9-164.