Top 5 Impactful Test Cricket players in the world today

Test cricket is the pinnacle of the sport and requires exceptional skills, both physical and mental. It is a format that tests the patience, temperament, and endurance of players, and only a select few have been able to leave their mark on the game. In this blog, we take a look at the top five most impactful Test cricket players in the world today. These players have not only performed consistently but have also made a significant impact on their teams’ fortunes in recent years.

 

Number 1. Jonny Bairstow

 

 

Jonny Bairstow is a prominent member of the English cricket team who has earned a reputation for his excellent batting technique in Test cricket. He has played several match-winning innings for England during his ten-year-long career in the longest format of the game. Bairstow has proven his mettle against some of the best teams in the world, including India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. With 12 centuries to his name, Bairstow has been a consistent performer for England, especially against tough opposition.

Recently, he played a crucial role in England’s success with their new ‘Bazball’ style of play and scored six centuries and a half-century in the 10 Tests he played in 2022. Bairstow also achieved the feat of scoring centuries in both innings of a Test match against India during the Pataudi Trophy in 2021-22, cementing his position as one of the most impactful Test players for England.

 

Number 2. Steve Smith

 

 

Steve Smith is undoubtedly one of the greatest Test cricket batters of all time, with an impressive track record that speaks for itself. The Australian stalwart has been an integral part of the national team for over a decade and has made a significant contribution to their success in the longest format of the game. In his 13 years of Test career, Smith has amassed a staggering 8,718 runs, including 30 centuries and 37 half-centuries in 166 innings.

The year 2022 was no different for the veteran, as he continued to pile on the runs and showcase his batting prowess. In 11 Tests, he scored a whopping 876 runs at an impressive average of 58.40, including two centuries and five half-centuries. During Australia’s tour of Pakistan, Smith’s vast experience came to the fore as he finished as the second-highest run-scorer for his team with 226 runs in three matches.

Smith’s batting exploits were not limited to Pakistan, as he also emerged as the leading run-getter for Australia during their tour of Sri Lanka. In 2017, he showcased his batting talent in India by scoring two centuries in Pune and Ranchi, respectively, during Australia’s tour. With such impressive performances, Smith continues to be a vital cog in Australia’s Test cricket setup.

 

Number 3. Harry Brook

 

 

In a spectacular start to his international Test career, Harry Brook made a name for himself in the world of cricket with an outstanding performance in the three-match Test series against Pakistan led by Babar Azam. The young cricketer scored an impressive 468 runs, including three centuries and a fifty, in just five innings, thereby becoming the highest run-scorer in the competition.

Despite playing on the turning wickets of Pakistan for the first time, the 24-year-old displayed remarkable composure and confidence against the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, and Zahid Mahmood. His performance was even more noteworthy given the challenging sub-continent conditions.

Following his success in Pakistan, Brook continued to showcase his batting prowess with an exceptional performance against New Zealand. He scored 329 runs in four innings across two Tests, thereby establishing himself as England’s most successful batter in two consecutive Test series.

 

Number 4. Ben Stokes

 

 

Ben Stokes is widely recognized as one of the premier all-rounders in Test cricket. He made his Test debut for England against Australia in The Ashes series of 2013, and quickly established himself as a dependable player for the team with his exceptional all-round abilities. In 2016, he achieved great renown after scoring his highest Test batting score of 254 against South Africa in the Cape Town Test.

To date, the veteran cricketer has accumulated 5,712 runs, including 12 centuries and 28 fifties, in 166 innings across 91 Tests. He has also taken 194 wickets in 142 innings, with his best bowling figures of 6/22 coming against the West Indies at the iconic Lord’s in September 2017. In the 2019 Ashes series, Stokes played an unforgettable innings of 135 against Australia in Leeds, leading England to a dramatic victory.

Impressed by his abilities and contributions, England appointed him as their Test captain after Joe Root stepped down from the post. Since then, Stokes has continued to shine as England’s leader, winning series against formidable opponents. However, his leadership skills will face a tough test when England takes on Australia and India later this year. In his illustrious cricketing career, Stokes has toured India twice and has amassed 548 runs in nine Tests, while also taking 13 wickets.

 

Number 5. Nathan Lyon

 

 

Nathan Lyon is renowned for his crafty offbreak bowling, which often bamboozles batsmen and traps them in his snare. Even on the fast-paced pitches of Australia, Lyon easily hunts down batters with his deceptive bounce. Over his 12-year international Test career, Lyon has represented his national team in 117 matches.

To date, he has captured 468 wickets in 220 innings, with his career-best figures of 8/50 coming against India in the Bangalore Test of 2017. The 35-year-old has a remarkable record against India, having taken 102 wickets in 44 innings across 14 Tests. Lyon has also claimed eight five-wicket hauls against India, and was the first Australian to reach 100 Test wickets against India, achieving the feat in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the 2016-17 edition of the same tournament, Lyon gained widespread recognition in India for his outstanding performance against the Indian batsmen. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker for his team alongside Steve O’Keefe, with 19 scalps in seven innings across four matches. Lyon played a crucial role in helping Australia put up a stiff fight against the hosts.