Best average for batters with over 100 Tests

India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as they registered a six-wicket win in the second Test in Delhi on February 19. Australian batters have struggled against Indian spin in the ongoing series with just two players scoring two fifties from four innings so far.

World no.1 and no.2 Test batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith also failed to show any resistance on Indian conditions. Smith, arguably one of the best batters of this generation, boosts a 60-plus average in Tests and close to 9000 runs as well.

Smith has played 94 Tests so far with 30 centuries and boosts the best average among the active cricketers in Test cricket. He is likely to end with the best average after playing his 100th Test as well. So, before Smith completes 100 Tests, let’s take a look at the top three cricketers with the best average after playing 100 Tests.

3. 53.78 – Sachin Tendulkar

Indian legend still holds all major batting records in both Tests and ODIs since playing his last international match almost ten years ago. He scored 15921 runs from 200 Tests at an average of 53.78 with a record 51 centuries and 68 fifties. Sachin has the third-best average in Tests among the cricketers who have played over 100 Tests.

2. 55.37 – Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis, arguably the best all-rounder to play cricket, retired in 2013 but remains the third-highest leading run-getter in Tests. He scored 13289 runs from 166 Tests at an average of 55.37 with 45 centuries. Kallis is only behind Sri Lanka’s Kumar Sangakkara’s record for best average with over 100 Tests.

1. 57.40 – Kumar Sangakkara

The Sri Lankan legend is among the only seven cricketers with over 10000 runs in both Tests and ODIs. Sangakkara finished his international career during his peak in the 2015 one-day World Cup, where he scored four centuries. However, his biggest career impact came in Tests with 12400 runs from 134 Tests at an average of 57.40 with 38 centuries.