Legends galore: Five batsmen who have faced the most deliveries in Test cricket
Test cricket is all about patience. A player might have the skill set to perform in international cricket but it won’t be wrong to say that without having patience, he is unlikely to succeed in Tests. It’s all about surviving and then cashing on it. Over the years, Test cricket has been blessed with several players who have redefined patience. So through this article, we are taking a look at the top five batsmen who faced the most number of deliveries in their Test career.
5. Allan Border – 27,002 deliveries
At number five in this list is former Australia skipper Allan Border. The legendary batsman faced a total of 27,002 deliveries during his illustrious Test career. The first Australian to cross the 10,000-run mark in Tests, Border is the second-highest run-scorer for his country in the format. Overall, he played 156 Tests and scored 11,174 runs with a high score of 205 runs. He scored 30 tons and 102 half-centuries during his glittering career. Border also played 273 ODIs and scored 6,524 runs.
4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 27, 395 deliveries
At number four in this list is former West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul. The former batsman played international career at a time when West Indies cricket was on a decline. In an era where very few West Indies players managed to make a name for themselves, Chanderpaul was one of them. He faced a total of 27, 395 deliveries in Tests. Chanderpaul represented the West Indies in 164 Tests and scored 11,867 runs with the help of 30 centuries and 66 fifties.
3. Jacques Kallis – 28,903 deliveries
One of the greatest allrounders to have graced the game, Jacques Kallis is third in this list. The former South Africa cricketer faced a total of 28,903 deliveries in his glittering Test career. Kallis made his mark in both Tests and ODIs. In Tests, he played 166 games and amassed 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37 in addition to taking 292 wickets. In ODIs, he scored 11,579 runs at an average of 44.36 and picked up 273 wickets in 328 games. Kallis is the only cricketer to score in excess of 10,000 runs and take 200 plus wickets in both Test and ODIs.
2. Sachin Tendulkar – 29,437 deliveries
Holder of almost all the major batting records, batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar is second in the list. The former India batsman faced a total of 29, 437 deliveries during his illustrious Test career. Tendulkar has also scored the most number of runs and centuries in both Tests and ODIs. In Tests, he played 200 games and scored 15,921 runs with the help of 51 centuries and 68 fifties. In 463 ODIs, he scored 18,426 runs with the help of 49 centuries and 96 half-centuries.
1. Rahul Dravid – 31,258 deliveries
Former India skipper Rahul Dravid holds the record for facing the most number of deliveries in Tests. One of the best batsmen to have graced the game, Dravid faced a total of 31,258 deliveries in the longest format of the game. Dravid faced an average of 190.6 balls per Test match across his career. Having represented India for nearly two decades, the batting legend played 164 Tests and scored 13,288 runs with the help of 36 centuries and 63 fifties. He also played 344 ODIs and scored 10,889 runs.
