5 Test centuries with the lowest control percentage – Sam Konstas’ wild 60 at MCG joins the list

Test cricket is a book that evolves with each debut, adding a new chapter to its story.
This winter, we have said goodbye to Tim Southee of New Zealand, the most prolific six-hitter in the history of Test cricket.
But step forward Sam Konstas – a 19-year-old free spirit from New South Wales, now fills a hole left by the Black Caps paceman in the area of destruction.
The evolution of Test cricket has changed the way the game is played, a desire for a result and mentalities devoid of risk fill the stage once owned by those who saw the game as a marathon, not a sprint.
The unknown of the outcome of the next Ashes series down under fills us with mixed emotions of excitement and doubt with the prospective matchups of Konstas and Crawley having a different feel to those of Warner and Cook.
Players around the world are performing with an emphasis on putting on a show and entertaining, heating the battle between bat and ball and giving us those moments of magic like Konstas vs Bumrah just last month.
However, risk sacrifices control and riding your luck is becoming more and more common in the long form.
Here are the least controlled Test half-centuries, all being struck since 2015.
5. Sarfaraz Ahmed – 58.46% control
Sarfaraz’s 68 runs in a match-winning innings over Sri Lanka in 2017 highlighted his ability to take the game on and flip the pressure onto the bowlers.
His ability to anchor the innings whilst playing expansive shots showed balance at the crease.
4. Niroshan Dickwella – 57.69% control
Faced with one of the most ruthless Australian bowling attacks in recent times, the Sri Lanka star played on the front foot to unsettle the bowlers.
This 64 in 2019 was vital in posting a competitive total but his country didn’t get over the line.
Also read: The 25 bowlers who took a wicket with their first ball in Test cricket
3. Neil Wagner – 57.14% control
Known for his aggressive fast bowling, Wagner showed similar intent with bat in hand for the Black Caps against the West Indies in 2020.
His 66 came through thrashing groundstrokes and absolutely no fear of dismissal as he frustrated the West Indian bowlers and helped New Zealand to a healthy total.
2. Sam Konstas – 56.92% control
The only opener on this list and the only player on debut, Konstas’ fearless approach in his first Test match innings for Australia certainly raised eyebrows.
His confidence certainly paid off with 60 on debut in the Boxing Day test at MCG but some may argue he rode his luck with a significant 28 plays and misses against Jasprit Bumrah who he ramped confidently, with utter fearlessness.
1. Tim Southee – 53.42% control
It’s rare that lower-order batters can have such an impact on Test matches but Southee’s 98 sixes in the long format devastated many a tired bowling attack.
His explosive 65 against India in New Zealand‘s 2024 whitewash heaped misery on the weary host bowlers.
With risk often comes reward and despite his carefree approach that often lacked control, Southee has delivered vital runs for the Black Caps that have turned matches on their head.
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