I think Clarke deserves his top spot. Though Cook comes second with 1200 runs, I think Hashim Amla should be ranked second, both in terms of average and the less number of tests played. That said, I could see one thing that is common among all these players, probably with an exception of KP - their exceptional temperament and committment on the pitch. They would never throw their wicket away. Even in cases where they got out cheaply, it was a superb delivery from the bowler or an exceptional piece of fielding from the fielder. If we consider the Indian players, I can think of only Dravid who can match the temperament and skill of these players.
Australian and English captains of the Test team did well as the batsmen and scored more than 1000 runs in the year-2012.Dhoni's replacement has to be either Sehwag,Gambhir or Virat Kohli.
