Sachin Tops the Coveted List
London, Aug 03: Legendary batters have featured in the red-ball format to make a mark at international level by scoring centuries and fifties against quality pacers and wily spinners.
NewsnViews picks world’s five top run-getters in Test cricket. India’s Sachin Tendulkar was known for statistics and longevity, he tops the coveted list with nearly 16,000 runs.
1. Sachin Tendulkar— Making his Test debut in 1989, the Indian batter played for 24 years at international level. In 200 Tests, Tendulkar amassed 15,921 runs, laced with 51 centuries, at a healthy batting average of 54. He continues to hold a world record for most runs scored and most centuries in Test cricket.
2. Ricky Ponting –Australia’s stylish one-drop batter scored 13,378 runs in 168 Tests at an average of 52. Ponting scored 41 tons in Tests.
3. Jacques Kallis–Perhaps the world’s best all-rounder, the South African player amassed 13,289 runs in 166 Tests, two matches less than Ponting. Kallis made 45 centuries, four more than Ponting. Kallis averaged 55+. Additionally, Kallis took 292 wickets in the red-ball format.
4. Rahul Dravid–India’s Mr. Dependable, Dravid made 13288 runs in 164 Tests. He scored 36 hundreds and averaged 52 with the bat.
5. Alastair Cook–England’s Wall, Cook made 12472 runs with 33 centuries at a batting average of 45. He featured in 161 Tests for his country.
Other top run getters in the list are Kumar Sangakkara, Brian Lara, Chanderpaul and Mahila Jayawardane.
From Pakistan, Younis Khan made 10099 runs in only 118 Tests at a decent batting average of 52. Khan scored 34 centuries.
