In an astounding display of cricketing prowess, Guyanese left-arm spinner, Gudakesh Motie, marked his name in the annals of Test cricket in 2023.
His breathtaking performance against Zimbabwe in February at Bulawayo saw him achieve the best match figures of the year, weaving a spell that spun the West Indies to a decisive victory.
Motie’s Unforgettable Performance
Motie’s mastery of the cricket ball was in full display as he delivered an exceptional bowling performance. In the first innings, he captured 7 wickets for just 37 runs, demonstrating his lethal accuracy and skill. However, his magic did not end there. In the second innings, he followed up his performance by claiming 6 wickets for 62 runs. This resulted in an extraordinary match figure of 13 wickets for 99 runs, setting up an innings and four-run victory for the Windies.
Player of the Series
Motie’s overall contribution in the two-match series was nothing short of remarkable. He claimed a total of 19 wickets, leading the West Indies to a resounding series victory. His performance earned him the coveted title of ‘Player of the Series’, a fitting testament to his exceptional skill and contribution.
Other Top Performers of 2023
While Motie topped the charts, two other spinners also left a significant mark in 2023. Indian off-spinner, Ravichandran Ashwin, delivered the second-best match figures of the year. Against the West Indies in Dominica in July, Ashwin claimed 12 wickets for 131 runs.
Coming in third, Australian off-spinner, Nathan Lyon, secured his spot with 11 wickets for 99 runs against India in Indore in March. These performances highlight the year’s dominant trend of spinners leading the charge in Test cricket.