Hi folks! We all have a fancy for statistics, don’t we? Don’t you constantly keep an eye on the ICC rankings to see whether our very own Virat is at the top of the pile among ODI batsmen, or whether Ravindra Jadeja is among the best all-rounders in the world? To satiate our hunger for these statistics, SPORTZWIKI presents to you an all-new section ‘STATS’ in which we would cover the most interesting stats in the cricketing world.
Today, we take a look at the Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average. Test cricket is the ultimate test of a batsman’s ability, composure, presence of mind, and more significantly, character. SPORTZWIKI has included only those batsmen who have scored a minimum of 1000 runs in test matches, so any one-series-wonders will probably miss out.
10. VIRENDER SEHWAG (IND) – 49.34
The Nawab of Nazafgarh is one of the most elegant players to watch in world cricket when in full flow. That gorgeous bat-swing, relying on hand-eye coordination and timing instead of feet movement, and the disdain in which he goes about destroying bowling attacks around the world makes Virender Sehwag one of the best of his generation.
9. GRAEME SMITH (SA) – 49.56
Unlike some of the other great captains of his era – Sourav Ganguly, Stephen Fleming and Michael Vaughan to nama a few, Smith’s captaincy responsibilities hasn’t diminished his aura with the bat one wee bit. An average of 49.56 in test matches is a glorious testament to Smith’s ability to draw a line between the two facets of the game.
8. MAHELA JAYAWARDENE (SL) – 50.38
There are very few batsmen in world cricket who can boast of the consistency of Mahela Jayawardene in all formats of the game. Elegant, subtle, simplistic yet prolific, Mahela Jayawardene is one of those classy batsmen with range of shots throughout the cricket field. Jayawardene is 8th in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average.
7. HASHIM AMLA (SA) – 51.34
Hashim Amla has been a rock at the top of the order for South Africa. Amla’s consistency across all continents is unmatched in recent times in world cricket and an average of 51.34 ensures the classy South African is 7th in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average.
6. YOUNIS KHAN (PAK) – 51.38
Younus Khan was a prolific performer for Pakistan in the longer format – the trio of Khan, Yousuf and Inzamam ul-Haq proving to be the bedrock of Pakistan’s successes over the previous decade. Younus Khan takes the 6th spot in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average.
5. MICHAEL CLARKE (AUS) – 51.40
Michael Clarke showed all the early sings with an impressive century on debut against India at Bangalore. Clarke’s stunning Ashes series a couple of months back proved that the Aussie skipper knows how to balance his batting and leadership roles. An average of 51.40 speaks volumes of Clarke’s ability.
4. AB DE VILLIERS (SA) – 51.71
AB de Villiers continues to set new benchmarks of consistency as he recently notched up his 12th consecutive half-century in test matches by smashing a fifty in the 2nd test against the Aussies. With an average of 51.71, de Villiers takes the 4th spot in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average.
3. SHIVNARINE CHANDERPAUL (WI) – 51.93
Chanderpaul proves there is life beyond the tried and tested coaching manuals of cricket. He rarely plays in the V, rarely off the front foot, and utilises gentle nudges and a whiplash pull-shot to maintain an unparalleled record in test match cricket. And he is still going strong!
2. KUMAR SANGAKKARA (SL) – 56.45
Kumar Sangakkara’s recent triple century against Bangladesh proved beyond doubt that the Sri Lankan remains a vital cog in the Sri Lankan line-up. The stylish Sri Lankan left-handed batsman has an impressive watertight technique and has an affection for the occasional marathon innings, and with an average of 56.45, Sangakkara is 2nd in SPORTZWIKI’s Top 10 current test batsmen with highest average.
1. CHETESHWAR PUJARA (IND) – 66.25
Hailed as the next Rahul Dravid, the early signs suggests that Cheteshwar Pujara is more than capable of taking the baton and running with it. The Indian No.3 has an average of 66.25 and with his ability to play the long innings, Pujara is likely to be the glue that holds the Indian middle order together over the next decade.