The Australian players have always been known for their dominance in the world of cricket. The nation has produced some great batters, including Sir Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, and Steven Smith. The Aussies have played an aggressive brand of cricket over the years, which has proved to be beneficial for them. The nation has won the most World Cups in the ODIs. No other country has won more than two World Cups, while the Aussies have five in their cabinet. The Border Gavaskar Trophy always brings out the best of their players due to the fierce competition between the two teams. This article is about the top 10 Australian batters with the most runs in the Border Gavaskar Trophy, which started in 1996 and is played every two years.
1. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was the best batter for Australia in the longer formats. The former skipper led the nation to two consecutive World Cup titles in 2003 and 2007. Ponting was one of the finest batters of his generation alongside the master, Sachin Tendulkar. He made his test debut against Sri Lanka at Perth in 1995 and established himself as a young prodigy in the team. Ponting made 13378 runs in his test career, including 41 centuries at an average of 51.85. Against the Indians in the BGT, Ponting smashed 2555 runs and eight centuries.
2. Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke was a former right-handed middle-order batter for Australia across formats. He was also a former skipper, who led his nation to World Cup glory at home in 2015. One of the most consistent performers with the bat, Clarke was one major asset for Australian cricket. Clarke made his test debut against India at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. One of the rare cricketers in Australia who saw all the ups and downs of the game, Clarke was a committed player who played with passion and fire to win every game. He scored 8643 test runs for Australia, out of which, 2049 came against India in the BGT.
3. Matthew Hayden
Matthew Hayden was one of the finest attacking batters in the Australian camp. He would play one way, and that was to smash every bowler he faced. A tall left-handed batter with a beautiful bat swing made himself a regular inclusion in the national side through consistent performances with the bat. The southpaw, with minimal foot movement, dispatched even the finest bowling attacks, for fun. Hayden was more successful in the shorter formats. He opened the innings for his team in all three forms and was known to give fiery starts. Hayden scored 8625 runs in the test format and 1888 against India in the BGT.
4. Steven Smith
The most consistent test batter in modern-day cricket, Steven Smith, is a right-handed top-order batter for Australia across formats. With an unorthodox style of play and perfect hand and-eye coordination, Smith has dominated world cricket by scoring runs for fun, irrespective of the venue. What stands out is his ability to adapt to different conditions quickly, and execute his plans accordingly. Smith made his test debut against Pakistan in 2010. A leg-spinner turned batter; Steven Smith has come a long way in his test career. In 102 matches, he has scored 9320 runs including 1887 against India in the BGT.
5. David Warner
David Warner is a left-handed opening batter for Australia across formats. One of the best-attacking batters in all three formats, Warner, is a perfect example of how to pace an innings. Also, among the most competitive cricketers in the world, Warner put in all the hard work on the field. A great fielder as well, he has taken some exceptional catches in his career. He made his test debut against New Zealand in 2011 at the Gabba. Warner has made 8487 runs in his test career and 1174 in the BGT.
6. Simon Katich
Simon Katich was a former left-handed batter for Australia across formats. He made his test debut against the arch-rivals England in 2001 at Headingley. Known to score most of his runs on the on-side, Katich was a middle-order batter, and could score big runs consistently. He scored 4188 runs in his test career, out of which, 1088 came against India in the BGT.
7. Michael Hussey
Michael Hussey was another left-handed middle-order batter for Australia across formats. His ability to hit big shots and score runs consistently earned him the title, “Mr Cricket.” Hussey had a brilliant bat swing, which helped him to hit big sixes quite often. He played for his test side for five years and represented Australia in 79 test matches. The southpaw retired with 6235 runs in his test career and 1078 against India in the BGT.
8. Justin Langer
Justin Langer was a former left-handed batter for Australia in the ODIs and the test format. A true fighter and a temple of mental stamina, Langer, was a calm customer at the crease and scored runs without any scoreboard pressure. He also served as the head coach of the Australian team in all three formats. The southpaw made his test debut against the West Indies in 1993 and played 105 test matches. He scored 7696 runs in his test career and 1047 in the BGT.
9. Steve Waugh
Steve Waugh was the second captain who led Australia to glory in the World Cup in 1999. Steve made his test debut against India in Melbourne in 1985. Steve played 168 matches in the test format for Australia. In thirteen matches and 23 innings against India in the BGT, the former skipper scored 1005 runs.
10. Adam Gilchrist
The former wicketkeeper and a left-handed middle-order batter for Australia was one of the finest wicketkeepers in the game’s history. A free-flowing batter who gave his best each time was successful in the shortest format of the game. He made his test debut Vs. Pakistan in 1999 and played 96 games in his career. In the BGT, Gilchrist scored 809 runs.
