The Test match cricket for 2019 is done and dusted. It was a fine year for the red ball version of the game which saw many scintillating performances. Kusal Perera scored a match-winning knock of 153 runs at Durban to help Sri Lanka win the first Test by one wicket. Subsequently, the Ashes between England and Australia saw some thrilling action. Steven Smith smashed 774 runs at an average of 110 in the Ashes and made a roaring comeback in the red ball version.
England’s all-rounder Ben Stokes then played the knock of the year as he scored 135 against Australia in the Headingley Ashes Test match. There were some brilliant performances from the bowlers as well, especially the fast bowlers. The year saw pacers take giant strides in the red ball version and they were right on the money with their line and length.
What a fine year it has been for Test cricket!
Pat Cummins ended the year as the leading wicket-taker with 59 wickets as he bowled at the top of his game. On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne scored most runs as he amassed 1104 runs in the year.
Meanwhile, Australia has taken an impregnable lead of 2-0 against New Zealand in the three-match series. Australia now has 256 points under their belt in the ICC Test championship. On the other hand, South Africa was able to open their account as they defeated England in the first Test at Centurion by 107 runs and got the much-needed 30 points under their bag.
India continued to dominate the Test format as they played most of their cricket in the home conditions. The Virat Kohli-led side defeated West Indies 2-0, South Africa 3-0 and Bangladesh 2-0 to prove their supremacy. West Indies and Bangladesh are the only two sides that are yet to get on the board.
Here is the ICC Test championship points table.
| Rank | Teams | Matches | Wins | Losses | Draw | Points |
| 1 | India | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 360 |
| 2 | Australia | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 256 |
| 3 | Pakistan | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 80 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 80 |
| 5 | New Zealand | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 60 |
| 6 | England | 6 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 56 |
| 7 | South Africa | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 30 |
| 8 | West Indies | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 9 | Bangladesh | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |