All-round stars: Top 5 Current All-Rounders in Test Cricket
Test Cricket is the real character test of a cricketer. It is the purest format and is the best way to evaluate a player’s determination and patience. All-rounders are extremely important in this format as well. The likes of Richard Hadlee, Kapil Dev, Gary Sobers, Imran Khan, and Jacques Kallis have been some of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the sport. This article talks about some of the best all-rounders in the business currently.
5. Ravichandran Ashwin
Indian off-spinner and right-handed batsman Ravichandran Ashwin sits at number 5 on this list, with 281 rating points. He is also 12th on the ICC Test Bowler Rankings. Since January 2019, Ashwin has taken 23 wickets in the last 6 Test Matches. However, he has not scored a single half-century since August 2017 and has generally remained out of contention in the playing XI in away games. He still plays a pivotal role in the subcontinent pitches. Ashwin took 15 wickets in the home series against South Africa last year. India would be hoping for him to regain his form with the bat.
4. Mitchell Starc
Australia’s left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc is fourth on the list of the all-rounders, with 298 rating points. He is also 7th on the ICC Test Bowler Rankings. Since January 2019, Starc has scored 193 runs in 9 innings and has taken 46 wickets in 9 Test Matches. His best performances include 6/66 against Pakistan in Adelaide and 54* in the 4th Ashes Test. He is primarily an asset for Australia with the ball but has been consistent with handy contributions with the bat lower down the order.
3. Ravindra Jadeja
Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has 397 rating points to his name. He is also 18th on the ICC Test Bowler Rankings. Since January 2019, Jadeja has taken 23 wickets and scored 465 runs in 9 Test Matches. His most notable performances include 13 wickets in the home series against South Africa, and a quickfire 81 against Australia in Sydney. He has 5 half-centuries to his name, which shows that he has chipped in with crucial runs lower down the order. He has been Kohli’s first choice all-rounder in overseas conditions.
? RANKINGS UPDATE ?
Ben Stokes is the new No.1 all-rounder ?
He is the first England player since Flintoff to be at the top of the @MRFWorldwide ICC Men’s Test Player Rankings for all-rounders.
Full rankings: https://t.co/AIR0KN4yY5 pic.twitter.com/viRzJzuGiC
— ICC (@ICC) July 21, 2020
2. Jason Holder
West Indies Test captain Jason Holder sits on top of the ICC Test All-Rounder Rankings, with 447 rating points. He is also 5th on the ICC Test Bowler Rankings. Since January 2019, Holder has taken 30 wickets and scored 458 runs in 9 Test Matches. His most notable performances include 6/42 against England in the first Test match of the Wisden Trophy, and 202* against England in England’s tour of West Indies, 2019. He has led West Indies from the front with his inspired performances.
1. Ben Stokes
The poster boy of English Cricket, Ben Stokes is not far behind in this list, with 446 rating points. He is also 8th on the ICC Test Batsmen Rankings. Since January 2019, Stokes has scored 1462 runs and taken 41 wickets in 18 Test Matches. His most notable performance was in the Headingley Ashes Test where he scored 135* and took 4 wickets in the match, which resulted in a famous 1-wicket victory. He also scored a double hundred in the South Africa Tour. Stokes has hit a purple patch since the past couple of years, and England would be hoping it stays that way with the ICC Test Championship going on.
