Top 5 run-scorers in international cricket and the distance they covered by running
Cricket has evolved rapidly in every century. While cricket was initially played only in the longer format, 60 then 50 over cricket emerged in the 20th century and the turn of the new millennium gave rise to the shorter T20 cricket. While in T20 cricket, boundaries are a way more attractive way of scoring runs, rotating strike in ODIs and especially Tests, where the value on the wicket is much higher, continues to remain as relevant and important. Running between the wickets is an art and can get very draining for the batsmen. But those who master this art and skill go on to have successful careers. Let us have a look at the top 5 runs scorers in international cricket and approximately the distance they covered on the pitch in their career.
5. Jacques Kallis – 285.457 kms
The South African legendary all-rounder is easily one of the greats of the game. Kallis, in a glittering career of 519 matches in which he batted for 617 innings, ended up scoring in excess of 24000 runs of which 14190 runs were scored by running which accounted for a total of 285.45 km. He was a workhorse especially in Test cricket and these numbers are just the reflection of time he spent on the wicket playing percentage cricket.
4. Mahela Jayawardene – 286.081 kms
The elegant Sri Lankan batsman, Mahela Jayawardene was one of the batting mainstays for Sri Lanka for a better part of 2 decades. Mahela had this god-given gift of being able to find the gaps with effortless ease. Despite that gift, he ended up running plenty of runs in his long career. While he amassed in excess of 25000 runs in the 725 innings, he played in 652 matches, 14221 of these were earned on the 22 yards totalling up to 286.081 kms.
3. Ricky Ponting – 299.398 kms
Perhaps the most successful captain in international cricket, Ricky Ponting was not just a great leader of men but a fantastic batsman as well. His smashing ton in the 2003 World Cup finals against India is till date said to be one of the greatest ever. A super puller of the cricket ball, Ricky Ponting, in his 560-match career where he batted 668 innings, amassed in excess of 27000 runs with 71 tons. Of these 54.15% or 14883 runs came through his quick running between the wickets which was around 299.39 km.
2. Kumar Sangakkara – 301.792 kms
The atrociously talented southpaw, Kumar Sangakkara destroyed several bowling attacks year after year in his glorious career. Kumar, who smashed 4 consecutive tons in the 2015 World Cup, also has 11 double tons in Tests to his name. His cover drives were one of the most attractive sights in World cricket. In his extremely successful career, Sangakkara played 594 matches, batted in 666 innings and stroked his way to 28016 runs of which 15002 came through running, covering a distance of 301.79 kms. Sri Lanka is yet to find a replacement who can even fill half his boots.
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 331.30 kms
No surprises there. Sachin Tendulkar, the highest run-getter in Tests and ODIs, is a man whose impact, glory and brilliance just cannot be described in words. Sachin was an emotion. In his long career, he single-handedly took India to victory innumerable times. It is obvious then that in such a long career, Sachin ended playing the highest number of matches, 664, of which he batted in 782 innings. While he amassed 34,357 runs throughout his career, 48% of those, 16469 to be precise, came in singles and doubles for which he had to cover 331.30 kms.
(Players running for byes and leg-byes not considered here)
