যার টেস্ট ক্রিকেটে সর্বোচ্চ গড় রয়েছে
With a history that stretches back to the 16th century, cricket holds an important place in many cultures. The Test format of the game is particularly revered for its strategic depth and thrilling spectacle. One measuring stick of greatness in Test cricket has always been the batting average, a simple but telling statistic that represents the typical score a batsman achieves. The highest batting average in test cricket is often spoken about with religious reverence.
What Is A Batting Average?
In simpler terms, a player’s batting average is calculated by dividing their total runs scored by their number of times out. Given the capricious nature of cricket, where one minor mistake can cost a batter their wicket, maintaining a high average over time requires consistent excellence against some of the world’s best bowlers.
Highest Batting Average in Test Cricket: Sir Donald Bradman
The crown for the highest batting average indisputably goes to Sir Donald Bradman of Australia. Across his Test career from 1928 to 1948, he managed an astonishing average of 99.94 runs per dismissal – almost twice as high as most other exceptional batters.
The Don’s Phenomenal Record
Over Bradman’s illustrious career, ‘The Don’ played 52 Tests and accomplished what is considered impossible today; ending with an average just shy of three figures. This extraordinary feat becomes even more impressive considering that the next highest averages are all in the mid-50s or lower which makes Bradman’s performance truly phenomenal.
Even though players like Graeme Pollock and George Headley have excellent averages (60.97 and 60.83 respectively), they still fall short by such an extent that it really highlights how much better Bradman was than anyone else who has picked up a bat in Test match cricket.
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The Tragic Missed Century
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching aspect of Bradman’s 99.94 average is that he came so close to a career average of 100. In his final Test match innings against England, he needed just four runs to secure this extraordinary feat, but was out on the second ball.
Others Who Came Close
While no one can rival Bradman for sheer batting dominance in cricket history, several other class players deserve their recognition too. The South African genius Graeme Pollock (60.97) and the stylish West Indian George Headley (60.83) stand heads and shoulders above many others with averages that would be considered extravagant by any means apart from comparison to Sir Donald Bradman.
Indian run-machine Virat Kohli, who currently holds an average hovering around 52, has been impressive consistently over more than a decade now and well past 90 Tests. It remains a chance however slim, that before he calls time on his career, he might overtake some illustrious names on this list.
The Current Scenario
In contemporary cricket, players like Steve Smith from Australia hover at an average of nearly 63 which approaches the heights achieved by Pollock and Headley but it s still quite far behind Bradman’s score. However, given how recently he started playing Test cricket in relation to these gentlemen, Mr Smith may yet improve upon his already remarkable figures.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether any batsman comes even remotely close to Sir Donald Bradman’s stellar record in future or not; there will only ever be one true ‘Don’ of cricket – Sir Donald Bradman.
