Who's the best all-rounder? - Statistical comparison of Ben Stokes, Jason Holder and Ravindra Jadeja in Tests

Batters and bowlers often grab the limelight for their performances in cricket but then there are all-rounders who bring value to their side with both bat and bowl in hand. Especially in Tests, cricket’s oldest and longest format, the importance of the all-rounders increases more. The multi-dimensional capabilities of these players are really important for the team as they play an integral part in it. Talking of such skills, players like India’s Ravindra Jadeja, England’s Ben Stokes, and West Indies Jason Holder are modern-day all-rounders who perform consistently for their respective sides.

Speaking of these three players’ records, Ravindra Jadeja has played 57 Tests scoring 2195 runs with an average of 33.76. Jadeja has accumulated  232 wickets with a good average of 24.84. Nine times Jadeja has managed to achieve a five-for in an innings in Tests. In recent years Jadeja’s batting has improved significantly in all formats of the game. With bowl in hand, Jadeja has always been a threat mainly in the home conditions. With improved batting performances, Jadeja has become undroppable especially in the Test matches in India.

England’s star Ben Stokes is also another modern-day great who has played 72 Test matches scoring 4636 runs with an average of 36.79. Stokes has struck ten centuries too in his impressive Test career. Ben Stokes has taken 163 wickets in Tests with four five-for to his name too. Stokes has been a key middle-order player for the British side as the top order struggles in recent times haven’t stopped. With inconsistent top order, England depends a lot on Stokes along with captain Joe Root to do the bulk of the scoring.

All three with over 2000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests

All three players have scored over 2000 runs and also taken over 100 wickets in Test matches. Ben Stokes has scored more than the other two with its Ravindra Jadeja among the three who also has most wickets with Test 232 scalps. Ben Stokes who has 163 wickets while Jason Holder is approaching 150 wickets mark with 138 wickets. Three out of top four players in ICC All-Rounder Test ranking are occupied by these three skillful players. While Holder is ranked no.1, Stokes is on no.three with Jadeja at no.four.

With West Indies continue to suffer miserably with batting in Tests, its Jason Holder who comes out and score the runs for them in recent years. In 2019, Holder even scored a terrific double century against England at Bridgetown helping the Caribbean side thrashing England by massive 381 runs. 53 Test matches old, Holder has scored 2477 runs with an average of 30.96. He has three centuries to his name with 138 wickets also to his name. Holder has taken five-for an impressive eight times in his Test career.Having such all-rounders is really paramount for teams as they bring the all-round efforts. Occupying top three of four places in ICC rankings just shows the talent which these three possess. All three would love to perform and contribute more for their respective teams in the coming years.

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