The fourth innings of a Test match often presents the toughest challenge for batsmen. By this stage, the pitch has worn down and cracks can make batting difficult, especially on subcontinent pitches where spin bowlers can dominate.
Amid these challenges, a select group of batsmen have excelled and scored runs in these crucial situations. These batsmen, who have thrived in these tough situations are often regarded as legends of the game.
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The Sporting News takes a look at the top 10 batsmen with the most runs in the fourth innings of Test matches.
Most runs in the 4th innings of a Test match
The great Sachin Tendulkar tops the list with 1,625 runs in the fourth innings. Playing for India, Tendulkar's highest score in this phase is 136, with a batting average of 36.93. He is followed by England's Alastair Cook, who has scored 1,611 runs.
More: List of players with most fifties in Test cricket: Joe Root closing in on Sachin Tendulkar
Tying Cook is South Africa’s Graeme Smith, who has also scored 1,611 runs. Smith’s highest score in this phase is 154*, which is remarkable given the nature of 4h innings. Sunil Gavaskar of India has scored 1,398 runs with an average of 58.25, the highest in the list.
Let's take a look at the full list of batsmen with most runs in the fourth innings.
Player | Inns | Runs | HS | 100s | 50s | Avg |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Sachin Tendulkar | 60 | 1625 | 136 | 3 | 7 | 36.93 |
Alastair Cook | 53 | 1611 | 116 | 2 | 9 | 35.80 |
Greame Smith | 41 | 1611 | 154* | 4 | 9 | 53.70 |
Joe Root* | 47 | 1589 | 142* | 2 | 8 | 41.82 |
S Chanderpaul | 49 | 1580 | 116* | 2 | 11 | 41.58 |
Rahul Dravid | 56 | 1552 | 103* | 1 | 9 | 40.84 |
Younis Khan | 40 | 1465 | 171* | 5 | 6 | 50.52 |
Ricky Ponting | 43 | 1462 | 156 | 4 | 6 | 50.41 |
Brian Lara | 45 | 1404 | 153* | 2 | 7 | 35.10 |
Sunil Gavaskar | 33 | 1398 | 221 | 4 | 8 | 58.25 |