Few batters in the history of cricket have a greater Test record than their overall first-class cricket record. We list eleven batters who thrived in the international arena highlighting their batting averages.
It should be noted that Test matches also fall under first-class matches. But first-class games also include, domestic longer format of the games like Ranji Trophy in India, Sheffield Shield in Australia, County Championship in England, etc. It also includes tour games played between the touring side and a local XI before a bilateral series. All first-class games should be 3 days or longer.
Stats for players with minimum 20 Tests and players who are currently active or retired in the 21st century (after 2000). Only batting average is highlighted and compared between their Test and first-class career.
* Active players are marked with an asterisk.
Kumar Sangakkara
Tests: 57.50
FC: 52.40
One of the all-time greats of the game. It was amazing how prolific he turned once he gave up his wicket-keeping gloves to be a pure batsman. His record in Tests as a pure batter is 9283 runs at an astounding average of 66.78.
Brian Lara
Tests: 52.88
FC: 51.88
The last of the West Indies cricket greats. Once he set his eye in, it was impossible to dismiss him. He conquered almost any bowler, be it Warne, McGrath or Murali, home or away.
Steven Smith*
Tests: 58.03
FC: 55.25
A leggie who turned into batsman extraordinaire. At one point he was averaging 64.56 after 124 Test matches. In recent times, his form seems to have dipped. But nevertheless, we can never count out him hitting back to his best form any time soon.
Kane Williamson*
Tests: 55.90
FC: 51.63
A player who always seems to go under the radar, be it in the media or when batting. When Williamson scores big, the opponents hardly feel the impact until it suddenly hits them. There cannot be a more reliable for New Zealand in their cricket history.
Adam Voges
Tests: 51.87
FC: 46.42
It would have been interesting to see how Adam Voges would have fared had he continued to play more cricket. But his record is still incredible given that he debuted at the age of 35 and his career was numbered given his age.
Jacques Kallis
Tests: 55.37
FC: 54.10
A genuine all-rounder in every sense of the word. Few great batsmen matched his stats and he was as good as any genuine medium-fast bowler. A rock in one of the greatest South African cricket teams. There has never been a cricketer produced ever since.
Daryl Mitchell*
Tests: 53.46
FC: 40.79
Another New Zealand cricket who has slowly amassed runs and gone under the radar. At only 21 games old, we are yet to see how his career will pan out. At present, he is destined to do great.
Mohammad Yousuf
Tests: 52.29
FC: 47.96
The record holder for the most number of Test runs scored in a calendar year. Mohammad Yousuf was peak Pakistan Test cricket batting. Although Babar Azam is the current batting superstar, he still has not matched the reliability that was brought by Mohammad Yousuf.
Younis Khan
Tests: 52.05
FC: 49.90
Another Pakistan cricket legend who was rock solid who brought reliability in the middle-order. Younis Khan was always smiling while he brutally accumulated runs. Not always the prettiest player to watch, but boy was he effective.
Marnus Labuschagne*
Tests: 50.82
FC: 45.87
If there was one player who grabbed his second chance emphatically, it was Marnus Labuschagne. The 2019 Ashes was where he made his mark and made everyone sit and take notice of his talent. Coming in as a concussion substitute to Steven Smith, he made an immediate contribution with a half-century and made Smith’s absence have a less impact.
AB de Villiers
Tests: 50.66
FC: 49.71
A true all-format player and a batting superstar admired all over the world. While his limited over batting skills is talked about the most, fans rarely acknowledge how great of a Test batsman he was. He could defend like a Rahul Dravid but also attack like a Virender Sehwag. A talent that comes once in a lifetime.
Stats does not include the 1st Test between Australia and New Zealand held between February 29 – March 04, 2024.