Asian nations dominate The Nightwatchman ODI Team of the Year, with 7 of 12 players coming from the sub-continent. Players have been selected based on performances during the 2018 Calendar year. Here are the results.

1. ROHIT SHARMA, INDIA 19 Matches, 1030 runs at 73.57, S/R 100.09. 100’s – 5, 50’s – 3

Rohit Sharma finished off 2017 hitting his THIRD ODI double-century (no one else has hitmore than one) and has been unstoppable since. Although not adding to his double-century list, he has been incredibly impressive for India, finishing the year second on the run-scorers list for ODI Cricket.

2. JOHNNY BAIRSTOW, ENGLAND 22 Matches, 1025 runs at 46.59, S/R 118.22, 100’s – 4, 50’s – 2

No batsman who scored over 400 runs in the qualification period did so at a better strike rate than the Englishman. He took apart bowling attacks with for the most part traditional cricket strokes, particularly in the powerplay, built on these solid starts to score four centuries in the space of 6 innings. Three of these were in a row. Bairstow finished the calendar year third on the run-scorers list.

3. VIRAT KOHLI (C), INDIA 14 Matches, 1202 runs at 133.55, S/R 102.55, 100’s – 6, 50’s – 3

The numbers speak for themselves. Not only did he top the run-scorers and average for ODI cricket in 2018, but these numbers would stack up against the best the format has ever seen, from any era. Kohli’s 6 centuries in 2018 saw him move his career total to 38 tons from 216 innings’, which is just 11 shy of Sachin Tendulkar’s record. With ‘King Kohli’ not giving any indication that he plans on slowing down any time soon, he is building an impressive case to overtake Tendulkar as India’s best ever batsman.

4. JOE ROOT, ENGLAND 24 Matches, 946 runs at 59.12, S/R 83.93, 100’s – 3, 50’s – 5

After beginning the year with modest returns during England’s 5-0 hammering of Australia, Root showed his worth to the England side during their series against India, mastering the left-arm wrist spin of Kuldeep Yadav to notch back-to-back unbeaten centuries to surpass Marcus Trescothick’s record for most One Day International centuries by an English batsman.

5. BRENDAN TAYLOR, ZIMBABWE 21 Matches, 898 runs at 42.76, S/R 87.60, 100’s – 2, 50’s – 4

A contentious inclusion, particularly over Fakhar Zaman of Pakistan who scored 875 runs from 17 matches at 67.30, however Taylor’s performance after a three year absence from International cricket, into the lowly ranked Zimbabwean’s failed ICC World Cup Qualification campaign, was worthy of selection. Taylor almost carried the Zimbabwe top order through to the 2019 World Cup, with centuries against both the West Indies and Afghanistan, who both eventually qualified. His brilliant form saw him return to the Test side in November, where he hit two centuries in the same test against Bangladesh to prove that he is a rare talent within Zimbabwe Cricket.

6. JOS BUTLER (WK), ENGLAND 23 Matches, 671 Runs at 51.61, S/R 113.53, 100’s – 2, 50’s – 4, 35 Dismissals (26c, 9s)

Coming into the crease at 4-27 in the fifth ODI against Australia, Butler crafted his best ODI innings to date and his 6th ODI century, 110 not out, to lead England to chase down 207 set by Australia. He was often asked to provide the polish to an innings in the dying stages, but his most valuable innings in 2018 were when his team needed them the most. 7. THISARA PERERA, SRI LANKA 17 Matches, 415 runs at 34.58, S/R 115.59, 100's - 0, 50's - 2, 25 Wickets at 20.72, Economy 5.78, 5-fors - 1

An unexpected selection, but it's hard to question the numbers in the specialist all-round position. Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan (497 runs at 38.23, 21 wickets at 26.8) and Zimbabwe's Sikandar Raza (633 runs at 39.56, 22 wickets at 29.5) both had impressive numbers, however Perera had the best net average (+13.86) of any all rounder in 2018. In a year where Sri Lanka lost more than they won, their year would have been much worse if it was not for the late order hitting, and consistent wicket taking of Perera during 2018. 8. RASHID KHAN, AFGHANISTAN

20 Matches, 48 wickets at 14.45, Economy 3.89, 5-fors - 2

The Afghani pocket rocket's extraordinary numbers benefit somewhat$ from playing a larger proportion of matches against weaker sides, a series against Zimbabwe and the ICC World Cup Qualifiers, both helped boost his numbers. However, he showed in the Asian Cup in September that he is a world class bowler, remaining parsimonious and prolific against the best in the world, finishing as the tournaments joint equal wicket-taker. In 2018, he become the fastest ever to 100 ODI wickets, surpassing the feat in just his 44th match. 9. KULDEEP YADAV, INDIA 19 Matches, 25 wickets at 17.77, Economy 4.64, 5-fors - 1

Claiming 17 wickets at just 14 with his left arm wrist spin, Kuldeep was the chief architect of India's first bilateral ODI series win in South Africa. He carried this form throughout the year, first to England were he collected his best ever figures of 6-25 at Trent Bridge, before finishing as the joint highest wicket-taker at the Asia Cup alongside Rashid Khan.

10. MUSTAFIZUR RAHMAN, BANGLADESH 18 Matches, 29 Wickets at 21.72, Economy 4.20, 5-fors - 0

A year dominated by spinners, you have to look a fair way down the leading wicket-takers list to find a quick bowler, however, 29 wickets at 21.72 are numbers worth looking for. The left-arm quick was a constant threat for the Bangladesh side with his form in the Asia cup pivotal for his nation. His spell of the year easily his 4-43 against Pakistan, where he displayed his ability to bowl with both the new and old ball. 11. JASPRIT BUMRAH, INDIA 13 Matches, 22 Wickets at 16.63, Economy 3.62, 5-fors - 0

Currently the No.1 Ranked ODI bowler in the world, Bumrah offers a constant wicket taking threat while simultaneously refusing to give up runs. He has quickly established himself as India's most reliable weapon taking a wicket in all bar one match he played this year. Noting his form during the recent Border-Gavaskar Trophy, we expect Bumrah to have another fantastic year in 2019.

12th MAN: LUNGI NGIDI, SOUTH AFRICA

13 Matches, 26 Wickets at 23.03, Economy 5.56, 5-fors - 0

Incredibly unlucky not to have made his way into the side, we thought his figures were worth a mention. Ngidi's strike-rate was second best amongst fast bowlers with over 25 wickets, with only Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera's strike rate marginally better. Ngidi's debut year in ODI and Test cricket gives us much hope for the quality of fast bowling we are going to see from the next generation. Alongside Bumrah, expect Ngidi to be one of the top bowlers in the world by the end of 2019.