Most Player of the Match Awards in Tests
Test cricket is the purest format of the game as it requires constant attention across five days to emerge victorious. Despite the game evolving in the modern era, the challenges of Test cricket have remained the same as it tests both the physical and mental strength of an individual. Over the years, there have been legends who have risen against the odds and toppled the opposition time and again.
Courtesy of their numerous match-winning performances, these cricketers have etched their names in the record books as their efforts have been recognised with the Player of Match (POTM) awards. In the 147-year-long history of Test cricket, some players have won POTM awards more often than others. Here’s a look at three players with the most POTM awards in Test cricket history:
3) Shane Warne and Wasim Akram – 17 awards
Legendary cricketers Shane Warne and Wasim Akram share the honour of having 17 POTM awards each to their name. Representing Australia, the late great Warne bagged 708 wickets to his name in Test cricket, the second-most by any bowler in the format.
Wasim Akram, on the other hand, played 104 Test matches in history, picking up 414 wickets at an average of 23.62. Known as the ‘Sultan of Swing’, Akram led Pakistan to multiple victories during the late 90s as they were considered one of the toughest teams to face in that era.
2) Muttiah Muralitharan – 19 awards
Sri Lankan great Muttiah Muralitharan has 19 POTM awards to his name. He represented the Lankan Lions in 133 Test matches and picked up 800 wickets – the most by any cricketer in the history of Test cricket. He was part of one of the greatest generations of Sri Lankan cricket and were almost unbeatable on home turf.
1) Jacques Kallis
Arguably one of the greatest all-rounders of all time, Jacques Kallis has 23 POTM awards to his name in Test cricket. The 48-year-old represented South Africa in 166 Test matches and scored 13289 runs at an average of 55.37. With the ball, Kallis got 292 wickets at an average of 32.65.
