Who are the only 7 batters with 5,000+ Test runs at an average of 50+ since 2000? No.5 is surprising
An average of over 50 in Test cricket is the sign of an elite-level player. There are not many who manage to achieve this. For most, that 50-plus mark is something that can be sustained for a short period of time, but doing so over a career or a large number of games is where it gets tricky.
Inevitably, a player’s form is up and down – it means that to average over 50 per knock, your highs need to be exceptional, and your low patches limited.
With that in mind, let’s go back to the turn of the century and see which players who debuted from 2000 onwards, and who have scored more than 5,000 career runs, are able to claim an average of more than 50 in Test cricket.
What’s nice about these parameters is that we are looking at modern cricketers – in short, the best Test batsmen of the last 25 years.
7. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 8,765 runs from 191 innings at an average of 50.66
Proteas star AB de Villiers was the ultimate modern cricketer – a player who could dominate in all three formats. In Test cricket, his ability to shift gears, batting both defensively and aggressively, made him a unique challenge for bowlers.
His legendary innings, such as his marathon 33 off 220 balls against Australia and his explosive 278* against Pakistan, demonstrated his wide range.
6. Joe Root (England) – 12,972 runs from 278 innings at an average of 50.87
Joe Root is one of the standout batsmen of the modern era. Despite the pressures of captaincy for much of his career, he has maintained a remarkable level of consistency.
Known for his impeccable technique and ability to accumulate runs in all conditions, Root has been England’s backbone for over a decade. Still playing, Root will have the opportunity to add to his impressive body of work in the upcoming England summer with a single Test against Zimbabwe and a five Test series against India.
5. Mike Hussey (Australia) – 6,235 runs from 137 innings at an average of 51.52
“Mr. Cricket,” as Mike Hussey was affectionately known, was a player who made the most of his relatively late start to international cricket.
His technique against both pace and spin was exceptional, and his ability to rescue Australia from difficult situations became his hallmark. Although most people associate Hussey with white-ball cricket, he was an exceptional and highly versatile Test player.
4. Younis Khan (Pakistan) – 10,099 runs from 213 innings at an average of 52.05
Younis Khan is Pakistan‘s all-time leading Test run-scorer, and his average of over 50 is a testament to his incredible ability.
He was a master of playing spin, and his hunger for big scores was evident with his 34 Test centuries, including a triple hundred against Sri Lanka.
3. Kane Williamson (New Zealand) – 9,276 runs from 186 innings at an average of 54.88
Kane Williamson has been the cornerstone of New Zealand’s batting lineup for over a decade. His technique, calm demeanour, and ability to bat for long periods have made him one of the most respected batsmen in the world.
Williamson’s performances against top bowling attacks, both home and away, underline his class. Williamson will be looking to add to his run tally when Zimbabwe hosts the Black Caps at the end of July.
2. Steven Smith (Australia) – 10,271 runs from 206 innings at an average of 56.74
Steve Smith’s unorthodox technique has baffled bowlers but brought him immense success. His rise from a leg-spinner who batted at number eight to one of the greatest batsmen of the modern era is a remarkable story.
Smith’s consistency, especially in the Ashes, where he has tormented England, is a standout feature of his career.
1. Kumar Sangakkara (Sri Lanka) – 12,400 runs from 233 innings at an average of 57.40
Kumar Sangakkara is the epitome of class and elegance in Test cricket. His ability to compile big scores made him the mainstay of Sri Lanka’s batting for over a decade.
With 38 centuries and 52 fifties, Sangakkara’s hunger for runs seemed insatiable. Even in the final years of his career, he maintained a stunning level of performance, which is reflected in his outstanding average.
A captain, a wicketkeeper and a phenomenal batsman, Sangakkara is one of the most under-rated heroes of the modern game, deserving far more acclaim than he normally gets.
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