The test format is the most challenging format for each team in the world. The various venues across different countries offer new challenges that test the player's ability to adapt to the conditions. The batters especially in the subcontinent face the challenge of tackling spin. On the other hand, nations like England, Australia, South Africa, and New Zealand offer pace, bounce, and swing to the bowlers. Even the best teams face different challenges in the test format. The longest format of the game is concluded within five days and demands mental and physical strength from players of both teams. In the past few years, the test cricket has changed drastically. In this article, we will tell our readers about the top 10 batters with the most fours in the longest format of the game.
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar was the most successful batter in the history of cricket. Known as the “Master Blaster,” Sachin made his test debut vs. Pakistan in 1989 against the likes of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram. The 16-year-old had no idea of Pakistan’s world-class bowling attack. He still somehow managed to come out on top and establish himself as a young prodigy in the team. The former India batter is regarded as the “God of Cricket” in the nation and is enormously respected in the world of cricket. The little master smashed an unbelievable 100 international centuries in his career including 49 in the ODIs and 51 in the longest format. He ended with 2058 fours in his test career.
2. Rahul Dravid
Rahul Dravid was among the best batters in both formats for India. He was named “the wall” by his fans because of his ability to approach the batting defensively. He was one rare product who could bat all day long without getting tired. His knocks in the longest format of the game would define his talent, calmness, and pressure-absorbing mentality. The right-handed top-order batter was also a handy wicketkeeper and used to keep the wickets when needed. The former Indian batter made his test debut against England at the Lord’s. Dravid is currently the head coach of the Indian cricket team. He ended his career with 1654 fours in test cricket.
3. Brian Lara
Brian Lara was undoubtedly among the best batters of his generation. The stylish left-handed top-order batter was born in Trinidad in 1969 and made his test debut against Pakistan in 1990. He was one of the best batters ever produced by the West Indies who dominated the world with the best of his batting abilities. He was also one of the prolific skippers for the West Indies. Lara retired in 2006 with 1559 fours to his name in test cricket. His awe-inspiring batting skillset and his style of playing is an inspiration to many.
4. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was a former Australian skipper and a top-order batter. He was among the best batters and skippers in the world. His dominance in the world of cricket was unmatched and so was his consistency while scoring runs. Widely considered the best Aussie skipper, Ponting made his test debut against Sri Lanka in 1995 and established himself as a player to look out for. He scored 13378 runs in his test career which lasted seventeen years. The player also led the team to two consecutive WC wins in 2003 and 2007. He retired from test cricket in 2012 with 1509 fours to his name.
5. Kumar Sangakkara
Kumar Sangakkara was the most important batter in the Sri Lankan team in his era. Counted among the best top-order batters in the world, Sangakkara was a different entity when he batted in full flow. His elegance while playing was unmatched and so was his hunger and consistency while batting. He was also a former captain of his nation and was considered among the best wicket-keepers in the world of cricket. In his 15-year-long career, the southpaw scored 12400 runs in the tests He also smashed 1491 boundaries in his test career. The wicket-keeper batter retired in 2015.
6. Jacques Kallis
Jacques Kallis was one of the best all-rounders in the game of cricket. His dominance with bat and ball was there across formats. One of the best players to ever play the game of cricket, Kallis was a rare product whose ability in every department was commendable. The right-handed batter and a right-arm medium-fast bowler for South Africa made his test debut against England in 1995 and became an important member of the squad. In his eighteen-year-long test career, the all-rounder scored 13289 runs. He retired in 2013 with 1488 fours to his name in the longest format.
7. Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook was a former English skipper and an opening batter. The left-handed batter was the epitome of elegance and consistency. In a nation like England, a test opener does not always leave a big impression in the game of cricket. Cook was a different entity altogether. He scored runs in swinging conditions in his own backyard, in England. The former skipper is also one of the best test skippers for his nation. He retired from test cricket in 2018 with 1442 fours to his name.
8. Mahela Jayawardene
Mahela Jayawardene is one of the rare players to score a ton in the World Cup final. This came against India in the 2011 WC. He was among the prolific batters around the world. The former Sri Lankan skipper made 11814 runs in his test career which includes 1387 fours. He retired from test cricket in 2014.
9. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
One of the most unorthodox batters to ever play the sport, Chanderpaul was an opening left-handed batter who made his test debut against England in 1994. He was one of the best batters for the West Indies and would often give them good starts. He retired from test cricket in 2015 with 1285 fours to his name.
10. Joe Root
Joe Root was a former skipper for England in the test format. He currently bats at no.4 for his team in the red ball format. One of the best red ball batters, Joe Root made his test debut against India in 2012. The batter is also considered among the fab four batters in the world alongside Virat Kohli, Steven Smith, and Kane Williamson. He has smashed 1247 fours in his test career so far.
