Three teams with best contributions from tail-enders in Tests since 2018

Test cricket is indeed a hard format to thrive as it takes a wholesome team effort to earn a victory in the purest format. While bowlers need to take 20 wickets, batters have the onus to put up runs on the board. Meanwhile, runs from tail-enders have emerged as a crucial aspect in Test cricket. Fielding sides tend to get a bit complacent after wrapping up the top-order.

Utilizing the same, the tail-enders, who are in the team primarily for their bowling abilities, walk away with handy runs. These contributions can even change the course of the entire Test match. Hence, the team management nowadays also considers the batting abilities of bowlers while selecting a line-up.

Meanwhile, let’s look at 3 Teams with best contribution from tail-enders (8-11) in Tests since 2018 (Min. 20 Tests):

South Africa – 15.25 %

It won’t be wrong to say that South Africa aren’t the team they were a few years ago. However, there are still some potent players in the team, who have proven their mettle at the highest level. In Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Keshav Maharaj, the Proteas side also has some fine bowlers. Interestingly, these names are pretty handy batters as well. Since the start of 2018, South African tail-enders have contributed 15.25 % to the team’s total.

England – 16.31 %

While England have emerged as a formidable force in white-ball cricket, the Test team has endured a hard time in recent years. Not having a solid top-order has been the biggest headache of the Joe Root-led side. Nevertheless, the lower-order batters of the team have done their job exceedingly well. England tail-enders have contributed 16.31 % to the team’s runs since 2018.

West Indies – 19.73%

It might be surprising but West Indies top this unique list. The side has largely been at the bottom of the Test team rankings in recent years. In fact, the side has struggled to win Test matches even in home conditions. However, the contribution from the lower order is one of the few positives the Caribbean side can take out.  West Indies tail-enders have 19.73% of the share in the team’s runs in Test matches since 2018.