Test cricket is where batsmen typically play in a circumspect way and put a high price on their wickets. However, with the arrival of white-ball cricket, there have been players in the recent past who have brought their natural attacking style of batting to the fore in Tests also.They have not only put bowlers under pressure but have also escalated the entertainment value of the longest format in the game. Here are 5 such batsmen who combined their aggression with consistency:
1. Brendon McCullum (Runs – 6453, Avg – 38.64, S/R – 64.6)
He holds the record for the fastest hundred in Tests – scored off just 54 deliveries. He also holds the record for the most sixes hit in the longest format of the game – 107.
Sanath Jayasuriya (Runs – 6973, Avg – 40.07, S/R – 65.13)
He took a particular liking to India, against whom he averaged 67, as opposed to a career average of 40. He once held the record for the highest partnership in Test history – of 576 runs – which he created with Roshan Mahanama, against India.
Tillakaratne Dilshan (Runs – 5492, Avg – 40.99, S/R – 65.55)
He is the only Sri Lankan, besides Mahela Jayawardene, to score centuries in all three formats of international cricket. He also captained Sri Lanka in 11 Test matches.
Adam Gilchrist (Runs – 5570, Avg – 47.61, S/R – 81.96)
He was the first player to hit 100 sixes in Test cricket and held the record for maximum sixes at the time of his retirement, which was later surpassed by McCullum with 107 sixes.
Virender Sehwag (Runs – 8586, Avg – 49.36, S/R – 82.21)
With a batting average of around 50 and a strike rate of over 82, he gave a hard time to the bowlers while at the crease. He holds the record for the fastest triple century, scored off just 278 balls. He has scored a century in a session thrice, a record bettered only by Sir Don Bradman.
