It is sternly believed by a majority of cricket viewers that the batting position of the openers is the trickiest in Test cricket. But that definitely is not the case, but is rather just a myth. More than the openers, it is the number 3 slot, which is undoubtedly the most tedious for a batsman. There are a few reasons and factors that make the number 3 slot the most uphill in test cricket.
The beauty of batting one down is such, that the batsman might have to face either the second ball of the innings, or there could even be a situation where the number 3 batsman has to remain padded up for hours while the openers are on their vigil. Thereby, along with the accurate and solid technique needed to bat at number 3, psychology too plays a crucial role.
It is the duty of the batsman batting one down to steady the innings in case of an early wicket. Not on all days do we witness the openers alone piling up the runs and the misery. Mammoth opening partnerships happen once in a while. As a consequence, the number 3 batsman has to set the platform for the remaining batsmen, if the team is to get to a colossal total.
Rahul Dravid, the Wall, in several ways rewrote the fundamentals of batting at number 3. Dravid changed the complete perception of batting at 3 as he made viewers aware about the characteristics of batting at that position. But it is none other than Kumar Sangakkara, who tops the run charts while batting at number 3.
As Sangakkara, the most successful batsman at number 3 calls it a day; we rewind and have a look at the five batsmen with most test runs while batting at number 3.
1. Kumar Sangakkara:
The Don Bradman of the modern era, as termed by many has the most Test runs for a batsman batting at number 3. The Sri Lanka legend has 11629 runs while batting one down, and he has an opportunity to better that when he plays the second Test against India in Colombo. While batting at this position, Sangakkara has 37 tons to his name, which is once again a record in itself. For more than a decade, the mantle of the Sri Lankan batting has been looked after by Sangakkara while batting at number 3. While batting at 3, Sangakkara usually set the perfect platform for the likes of Jayawardene and others to build upon. His loss will surely leave a void at the position for Sri Lanka.
2. Rahul Dravid:
Beginning his career as a middle-order batsman, he soon was promoted to the prestigious number 3 slot. Dravid scripted several memorable wins for India while batting at this position. He was aptly called as “The Wall” while batting here, as demolishing him was a task too difficult for the bowlers. Dravid has 10524 runs to his name while batting at number 3, at a stunning average of 52.88, with 28 centuries. Dravid’s most memorable knock at number 3 was against Australia in Adelaide, when he scored 233, winning the match for India.
3. Ricky Ponting:
What Dravid was for India, ditto was Ponting for Australia! Ponting batted at number 3 in 196 test innings and made as many as 9904 runs. Ponting’s best score at this position was 257, which was a brilliant knock in itself. While batting here, Ponting had 32 test centuries to his name, second only to Kumar Sangakkara. Post his retirement, several batsmen in the form of Shane Watson; Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh were tried at number 3, but all failed to grasp the opportunity.
4. Hashim Amla:
Without fuss, Amla has piled up a mountain of runs while batting at number 3. Amla always craved for a number 3 slot, and when he was given an opportunity to showcase his talent there, he didn’t disappoint one bit. Amla has 5753 runs while batting one down at an average of 56.40. To go along with that, the elegant South African also has 20 tons to his name while batting here. But with South Africa promoting Faf Du Plessis at number 3 in recent times, Amla’s dominance at this position might well be over.
5. Don Bradman:
No test batting record can be complete without the greatest batsman of all time, Sir Donald Bradman! Bradman simply relished his number 3 slot, and without second thoughts made it his own! His mind-boggling numbers speak for themselves, as the great Australian has 5078 runs to his name at number 3 with a jaw-dropping average of 103.63. In 56 innings while batting at number 3, Bradman had 20 centuries. Now that is a century every 2.8 innings! Words simply are not good enough to describe the greatness of this man!
|
Player |
Matches |
Innings |
Runs |
Average |
Highest |
100’s |
|
Kumar Sangakkara |
124 |
205 |
11629 |
61.20 |
319 |
37 |
|
Rahul Dravid |
136 |
219 |
10524 |
52.88 |
270 |
28 |
|
Ricky Ponting |
113 |
196 |
9904 |
56.27 |
257 |
32 |
|
Hashim Amla |
71 |
113 |
5753 |
56.40 |
311* |
20 |
|
Don Bradman |
40 |
56 |
5078 |
103.63 |
334 |
20 |
*Stats are updated till 20th August 2015