Test cricket’s best number 4s since 1980:
1. Sachin Tendulkar
Positives: The most prolific number 4 in history, he made 13492 runs at 54.40 there. Averaged over 50 in Australia, England and NZ. Made 10 test hundreds against Australia including two double centuries.
Negatives: Average of 36.91 from 23 tests against South Africa was down on overall record.
2. Greg Chappell
Positives: Outstanding average of 59.12 at this preferred position of number 4. Excellent away record including at average of 57.31 outside of Australia. His highest score of 247* was made in NZ.
Negatives: Averaged 38.78 in 15 tests in England. Didn’t go on some tours later in his career.
3. Brian Lara
Positives: A pure match winner Lara was outstanding against strong attacks. He averaged 58.16 against Australia and 56.80. Made his breakthrough score of 277 against Australia at 4.
Negatives: Struggled against NZ (Av: 28.37) and India (Av: 33.35). His best work was done batting at 3.
4. Jacques Kallis
Positives: Amazing record where he averaged 61.86 which included 35 centuries. Brilliant average of 63.29 in Asia from 25 tests.
Negatives: Struggled in England making just 1 century in 15 tests with an average of 30.86.
5. Allan Border
Positives: Averaged 50.44 in a tough era of test cricket. Averaged 74.84 in England and made his top test score of 205 vs New Zealand at 4.
Negatives: Only averaged 28.80 against Pakistan in 8 tests.
6. Javed Miandad
Positives: Made 19 centuries at a stunning average of 54.10. Both home and away records were excellent, averaging 58.00 at home and 51.16 away.
Negatives: The might of the West Indies was difficult for Javed, he averaged 34.81 in 15 tests against them.
7. Steve Smith
Positives: The best average for a number 4 in history, with an average of 70.42. Away from home averages 63.38 including more than 100 in England and New Zealand.
Negatives: A shocking series against South Africa in 2018 where he averaged 23.66 and got a 12 month suspension from that series.
8. Virat Kohli
Positives: His best work in test cricket has been at 4, where he averages 55.61. Has made a double century against 6 of the 7 test nations he has played against.
Negatives: His record against the moving ball in New Zealand (35.66) and England (35.66) are both down on his overall record.
9. Younis Khan
Positives: Superb record over 62 tests where he averages 53.03 there. Outstanding record against Australia (av: 65.83). Overall record in Asia (60.14) is superb.
Negatives: Record is poor in the West Indies (21.85) and England (20.33).
10. Joe Root
Positives: Excellent record with 4821 runs at 53.56. Average of 69.30 this calendar year. Very good average of 52.38 away from England.
Negatives: Failed in 5 of his 6 innings in the West Indies in a losing series.
11. Martin Crowe
Positives: A very good record averaging 49.39. 16 of his 17 test centuries were at 4. Marvellous record in Australia (66.92) and Pakistan (60.00).
Negatives: Last 2 years of his career averaged 29.15 at second drop.
12. Inzamam-Ul-Haq
Positives: Tremendous record at 4 averaging 52.90 there. Averaged above 50 against Bangladesh, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies. Made his highest test score of 329 there.
Negatives: Didn't excel against Australia (33.00). Average in South Africa (25.80) was not great.
13. Mahala Jayawardene
Positives: 30 of his 34 tons at 4. Had a superb average of 52.24 at 4. Great records against South Africa (61.00) and England (61.26). Made 13 centuries against those two countries. Marvellous home record where he averaged 66.68.
Negatives: Struggled in Australia (25.66) and overall record against Pakistan not great (32.41).
14. Kevin Pietersen
Positives: Very good average of 48.43 batting at 4. Did very well against India (63.16) and the West Indies (64.37).
Negatives: Controversial character, went backwards towards end of career. Last 12 tests averaged 31.95.
15. Aravinda De Silva
Positives: Carried Sri Lankan batting in the 1980's and 90s. Had a good average of 44.10 at number 4. Excellent record against India averaging 52.00 against them.
Negatives: Struggled in Australia (23.00) and overall away average of 36.37 well down on what he did at home.
You can follow Cricket Buffett on facebook - click here
Join the cricket network to promote your business and expertise. Make it easy for people to search and find the people and services they need through people they know and trust.
Join the network
