Top 5 batsmen and their highest batting average in Test cricket
Here we look at top 5 batsmen in Test cricket and their batting average at peak.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – 58.94:
Kumar Sangakkara’s Test career in the first five years was all about big knocks and low scores as his average in the format kept fluctuating close to 50. His big moment came across 2006 and 2007 as he struck 8 centuries in 29 innings. The Sri Lankan amassed 2210 runs at an impressive average of 88.4 in those two years. This period included three double centuries and four 150+ scores. As a result, his Test average touched 57 as Sangakkara scored 5985 runs by end of his 69th Test match.
The left-hander kept scoring runs in the next five years but that wasn’t enough to get past the average of 57. Sangakkara scored 4013 runs across 44 Test matches at an average of 54.97. He went into 2013 having joined the 10000-run club in 115 Tests at an average of 55.8. He reached the milestone in 195 innings; the joint-fastest player ever. Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar also completed 10k Test runs in 195 innings only. Sangakkara’s golden run across all formats started in 2013 and continued till CWC 2015.
In this period, Sangakkara amassed 2158 runs in 15 Test at an average of 77.07. He struck 8 centuries including two double centuries and the best score of 319 across 29 innings only. This golden run helped the Lankan batsman to touch a career-best average of 58.94. Post the 2015 CWC, Sangakkara played only four Tests before announcing retirement from international cricket. He scored only 197 runs at an average of 24.62. An early retirement ensured Sanga’s average didn’t dip more than 57.4.
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