Five Great Test Batsmen Who Never Achieved No.1 Ranking

Test cricket began in 1877. Since then it has grown leaps and bounds as the purest format of the game. It tests a player to the fore and various aspects come under radar. Test cricket has produced plenty of talents since its inception. As much as it is a joy to watch for any cricket fanatic it has also produced some of the legends of the game.

Today, we churn out, five great Test batsmen who never achieved the No.1 ranking.

VVS Laxman

Test great VVS Laxman was the mainstay in Indian top-order. He calmly tackled the greatest bowlers and was a joy to watch. Laxman made 134 appearances in the longest format of the game, scoring 8781 runs at an average of 45.97, laced with 17 centuries and 56 centuries. He also single-handely led Team India to plenty of victories but never achieved the top Test ranking in the longest format.

Sanath Jayasuria

Sanath Jayasuriya, the elegant Sri Lanka opener, is another name who saw plenty of success in Test cricket but never rose to the summit spot in the rankings. He played 110 Tests for Sri Lanka, scoring 6973 runs, and maintained an average of 40. He also notched up the high score of 340 in the longest format besides amassing 14 centuries and 31 half-centuries but could significantly never achieve the top spot.

Graeme Smith

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith contributed to the fore for his national team but could not ever achieve the top ranking in Test cricket. Smith had a staggering average of 48.25 in Tests, and scored 9265 runs, laced with 27 centuries and 38 half-centuries. Besides that, he also notched up the high score of 277 but even with all his contribution failed to achieve the individual summit in the purest format.

Kevin Pietersen

Kevin Pietersen did not have a smooth flowing career due to his personal relation with some of his teammates. But that did not stop him from becoming an English legend. Pietersen 8181 Test runs, and average a might over 47, with 23 centuries and 35 half-centuries to his name. He also had the high score of 227 but besides all the contribution could never achieve the top ranking.

Justin Langer

Former Australia batsman turned head coach Justin Langer is another such name who never achieved the top honours in Test cricket despite contributing to the fore. He scored 7696 runs in Tests, at an average of 45.27, with 23 centuries and 30 half-centuries to his name. Langer also played some match-winning knocks for Australia as an opener and achieved great success with his side.