Consider his 1136 runs in 18 innings, at 63.11 apiece. For an opener, those are outstanding numbers. They include six centuries, with a brace at Centurion setting up a 245-run win over South Africa - 280 runs off 308 balls off Dale Steyn, Vernon Philander and Morne Morkel; two in Adelaide teed up Australia to take an early lead against India in the current series.
Brendon McCullum to open with Warner. His year has been well documented - 1164 runs at 72.75, four big centuries, topped by the first triple-ton by a New Zealander. Throw in five test wins, a record, and it was some year for the man who can bat anywhere.
No3 is a problem. Kane Williamson has had a special year, yet trails Kumar Sangakkara by more than 500 runs.
Sangakkara's four hundreds among a table topping 1493 runs at 71.09 did include a triple against Bangladesh but he is all class, and was world No1 ranked batsman until a couple of days ago.
He's 37 but age seems not to be wearying him, even though, after 129 matches, his test journey has just about run its course.
Younis Khan is unlucky here but Sri Lanka's skipper Angelo Mathews appeals as a heroic leader for his country. His two centuries in England, 102 at Lord's to save a test; 160 at Leeds to help Sri Lanka to a 100-run win, were key parts in his 1317 runs at 87.8. Six of his last 10 innings have produced 50 or more.
Australia's new, if temporary, captain Steve Smith scored 1146 runs at 81.85 with five centuries. He began his year with 115 against England at the SCG, added a ton at Centurion against South Africa before touching up the Indians to the tune of 162 not out, 52 not out, 133, 28, 192 and 14 as he dipped his toes into captaincy for the first time.
Wicket-keeper has to be AB de Villiers, who doubles as the world's No1-ranked batsman. Only 631 runs in 2014 at 48.53, but he ensures a formidable batting lineup and reliable glove work.
One spinner only and it has to be Sri Lanka's Rangana Herath, who snared a table-topping 60 wickets at 27.45. He took 14 for 184 against Pakistan in Colombo, indeed 32 wickets in his last three matches.
Economical, rarely bowled a poor ball, and grabbed 13 more wickets than anyone else. That'll do.
Australian Mitchell Johnson brought pace and hostility, plus 47 wickets at 23.27 in the year. He took 22 in three tests in South Africa and put serious wind up opponents.
Dale Steyn is not ranked No1 without good reason. He took 39 wickets at 19.56, including 13 in two tests in Colombo, 12 in three against Australia. He's got the eyes for the job and is at the top of his game.
Jimmy Anderson took 40 at 22.15 for England, but all were in England, so no variety of workplace to test him further. Still he's proven and is in.
Finally, let's make a home town call. Trent Boult it is, by a whisker from Tim Southee. Boult took wickets in the Caribbean, the UAE and at home and his new ball swing work is as good as there is going around.
Boult and Anderson swinging away at both ends would be a real treat.
A 12th man: It has to be Williamson.
