5 Batsmen Who Have Faced Most Balls In Test Cricket Since 2016

Updated - 27 Nov 2023, 04:32 PM

Cheteshwar Pujara
India's Cheteshwar Pujara (Credits: Getty)

Test Cricket can be a boring game at times, but it involves a lot of concentration and patience to be successful and the batsmen do realize the importance of their wicket. The format has evolved a bit, to be frank with a lot of tests producing results and it can be very helpful for the growth of the game.

Only, few of the batsmen have been willing to spend a lot of time in the crease while most have found it tough. There have been a lot of doubts over the game losing its viewership but it is still the best format in the game. Here are 5 batsmen who have faced the most balls in test cricket since 2016.

5 Batsmen Who Have Faced The Most Balls In Test Cricket Since 2016:

Azhar Ali:

Azhar Ali. (Credits: Twitter)

Azhar Ali is a Pakistan top-order batsman who bats at three in test cricket and he was a former captain of the side too. Azhar Ali had always a good technique and there is no doubt about his temperament too. The 36-year-old has played 87 tests and has scored 6579 runs at an average of 43.28.

He has scored 18 centuries and 33 half-centuries with a top score of an unbeaten 302 and has faced the fifth-most number of balls in test cricket since 2016 with 7230 deliveries. Azhar Ali can be a game-changer with the bat and his patience is always an added advantage in the test format especially.

Steve Smith:

Steve Smith
Steve Smith (Image Credit: Twitter)

Steve Smith is one of the best batsmen going around in the world at the moment, and it is not a surprise that he makes the list. Smith is second in the ICC test rankings at the moment and the 32-year-old still has a long way to go in tests.

He has played 77 tests and has scored 7540 runs at a splendid batting average of 61.80 and he has been scoring centuries for fun. Smith is fourth in the list of most balls faced in Test cricket since 2016 with 7387 deliveries and it is an astonishing fact considering that he did not play international cricket for a year in 2018.

Virat Kohli:

Virat Kohli, Monty Panesar
Virat Kohli (Image Credit: Getty)

Virat Kohli is one of the consistent batsmen in all the formats and he is one of those players who prioritize test cricket over other formats. The Indian skipper has captained the side exceedingly well and has taken them to the finals of the inaugural World Test Championship with some excellent knocks in the last two years.

Kohli’s overall numbers in tests are staggering with 7490 runs in 91 Tests at an average of 52.4. He likes to score those big daddy hundreds that win the game for the side on most occasions and he has faced the third most number of balls in the longest format since 2016 with 7455 deliveries.

Cheteshwar Pujara:

Cheteshwar Pujara
Cheteshwar Pujara. Image-Twitter.

Cheteshwar Pujara loves batting and he spends a lot of time at the crease even if he isn’t scoring swiftly. He has been a warrior for the Indian side and the 33-year-old has been very consistent at the number three position for India. Pujara’s overall numbers have dropped down in the last few years but he has played a lot of important knocks.

Pujara having made his test debut in 2010 has played 85 tests scoring 6244 runs at an average of 46.6 and he has scored 18 centuries and 29 half-centuries so far in his Test career. Pujara has faced the second most number of balls in test cricket since 2016 with 8981 deliveries.

Joe Root:

England cricket team
Joe Root (Image Credit: Twitter)

Joe Root has been a big player for England in the test format and the England skipper is always renowned for scoring consistently in all formats. The 30-year-old has already played 100 tests and he could well go on to surpass the likes of Alastair Cook to become the best England batsman ever.

Root plays a lot of conventional shots and he is more suited to test cricket. He does have the attacking game against the spinners and he is a busy player. Root has faced the most number of deliveries in test cricket since 2016 with 9946 deliveries and he is fourth in the ICC test rankings for batsmen.

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Joe Root Steve Smith Virat Kohli