AUSTRALIA’S TEST RESULTS IN 2014:

*Played 9; won 5, lost 3, drawn 1

*Jan: 281-run win over England in Sydney

*Feb: 281-run win over South Africa in Centurion, 231-run loss to South Africa in Port Elizabeth

*March: 245-run win over South Africa in Cape Town

*Oct: 221-run loss to Pakistan in Dubai

*Nov: 356-run loss to Pakistan in Abu Dhabi

*Dec: 48-run win over India in Adelaide, four-wicket win over India in Brisbane, draw with India in Melbourne

THE RISE AND RISE OF STEVE SMITH IN 2014

*Career Test average of 35.22 prior to 2013 Boxing Day Test, now 50.38

*Appointed Australia’s third youngest Test captain for second Test against India

*Became first Australian to post a century in their first two Tests as captain

*1146 runs from 17 innings at 81.85 in 2014

*327 runs from 9 innings at 40.87 v England in 2013/14

*269 runs from 5 innings at 67.25 v South Africa in 2014

*174 runs from 4 innings at 43.50 v Pakistan in 2014

*581 runs from 6 innings at 145.25 v India in 2014/15

TOP TEST RUN-SCORERS IN 2014

*1493 runs – Kumar Sangakkara at average of 71.09

*1317 runs – Angelo Mathews at average of 87.80

*1213 runs – Younis Khan at average of 71.35

*1164 runs – Brendon McCullum at average of 72.75

*1146 runs – Steve Smith at average of 81.85

*1136 runs – David Warner at average of 63.11

TOP TEST WICKET-TAKERS IN 2014

*60 wickets – Rangana Herath at average of 27.45

*47 wickets – Mitchell Johnson at average of 23.27

*40 wickets – Jimmy Anderson at average of 22.15

*39 wickets – Dale Steyn at average of 19.56

*38 wickets – Ishant Sharma at average of 31.36

*36 wickets – Dilruwan Perera at average of 30.08.

(NB: One day to play in South Africa’s Test against West Indies)