Test cricket is often regarded as the purest form of cricket, as it demands skill, endurance, and tactical knowledge. All-rounders play a crucial role and provide balance to teams in this format. Over the decades, test cricket has witnessed some top all-rounders who set themselves apart from the rest of the pack.
7. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
- Test Runs: 3,781 runs
- Batting Average: 32.31
- Wickets: 421
- Bowling Average: 23.11
Shaun Pollock was an incredible Test cricketer and one of South Africa’s finest all-rounders. He played 108 Test matches, with 2 centuries and 16 half-centuries. Known for his supreme accuracy and ability to swing the ball both ways, he picked up 421 wickets. He also maintained an impressive economy rate of 2.39 runs per over. He was part of a South African team filled with all-rounders. This meant he spent two-thirds of his career at No. 8 and 9. He also remains the only batsman to score more than one century while batting at the 9th spot.
6. Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
- Test Runs: 3,124 runs
- Batting Average: 27.16
- Wickets: 431
- Bowling Average: 22.29
Sir Richard Hadlee is considered one of the most intelligent fast bowlers the world has seen. He is considered a match-winner. The New Zealand international took 36, 5-wicket hauls and 9, 10-wicket hauls in his career. He was also the first bowler to 400 Test wickets. He was considered one of the four great all-rounders of the 1980s, alongside Kapil Dev, Sir Ian Botham, and Imran Khan.
5. Kapil Dev (India)
- Test Runs: 5,248 runs
- Batting Average: 31.05
- Wickets: 434
- Bowling Average: 29.64
Kapil Dev is regarded as India’s first genuine world-class all-rounder. He was the first Indian cricketer to take 400+ wickets in Test cricket. The Harayana Hurricane holds the record for the best figures in an innings by a captain. This feat was recorded against the West Indies as he claimed 9 wickets for 83 runs conceded. Kapil Dev captained India to the 1983 Cricket World Cup. During the tournament, Kapil Dev’s remarkable innings of 175 not out against Zimbabwe pushed Team India one step closer.
4. Sir Ian Botham (England)
- Test Runs: 5,200 runs
- Batting Average: 33.54
- Wickets: 383
- Bowling Average: 28.4
Sir Ian Botham was everything you wanted in an all-rounder. He was fearless, aggressive, and flamboyant. With 5,200 runs and 383 wickets in 102 Test matches, he was a match-winner for the English team. He holds the record for the fastest player to reach the Test double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. His most iconic performance came in the 1981 Ashes, which has now been dubbed as Botham’s Ashes.
3. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
- Test Runs: 3,807 runs
- Batting Average: 37.69
- Wickets: 362
- Bowling Average: 22.81
Imran Khan is almost unanimously regarded as the cricketer Pakistan has ever produced and their most inspirational captain. He was instrumental in popularising cricket in Pakistan. He was known for his relentless fast bowling, reverse swing mastery, and strong middle-order batting. He’s only behind Kapil Dev for the best figures in an innings by a captain. His impressive innings, claiming 8 wickets and only 60 run,s is one for the history books. His career high came when he led Pakistan as the captain to their 1992 Cricket World Cup triumph.
2. Sir Garfield “Garry” Sobers (West Indies)
- Test runs: 8,032 runs
- Batting Average: 57.78
- Wickets: 235
- Bowling Average: 34.03
Sir Garfield Sobers is regarded as the very definition of a complete cricketer. He excelled at all aspects of the game, and many would even argue he is the best all-rounder of the modern era. His maiden century against Pakistan, 365 runs, was the world record at the time for a single innings. He also has the highest batting average amongst all-rounders. He also claimed 235 wickets. He mastered a variety of bowling styles: left-arm pace, orthodox spin, and wrist spin.
1. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
- Test Runs: 13,289 runs
- Batting Average: 55.37
- Wickets: 292
- Bowling Average: 32.65
Jacques Kallis is the only player with 10,000+ Test runs and 250+ wickets. He played 166 Test matches and has an impressive 45 centuries and 58 half-centuries to his name. He was considered the rock of his South African team. He could adapt to any situation and could accelerate an innings or play with patience as and when needed.
Honourable Mentions
Ravindra Jadeja
He has earned the reputation of being one of the finest all-rounders of the modern Test era. As a left-arm spinner, he is known for his accuracy as well as slight variations. In the 84 matches he has played so far, he has scored 3,824 runs with a batting average of 37.86. He has also taken 330 wickets with a bowling average of 25.06.
Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes has been the face of this defining England era. As England’s captain, he was at the forefront of revolutionizing Test cricket with its aggressive “Bazball” philosophy. In the 115 matches he has played so far, Stokes has scored 7,032 runs with a batting average of 35.69. He has also taken 230 wickets with a bowling average of 31.64.
Conclusion
Over the decades, Test cricket has been blessed to witness some individuals who excel with both the ball and the bat. The impact these players have made towards their teams success cannot be undermined. This list proves that the all-rounders have also stood the test of time, with all four of the great all-rounders of the 1980s, making this top seven.
Written by: Thillai Ritvik
