Test cricket is the most classical format of the game. Discipline, dedication, and patience are the most important virtues, one should have in order to thrive in Test cricket. Batsmen tend to leave the ball frequently and don’t chase balls, which are bowled outside off stump. Smashing the bowlers is not the cliché of Test Cricket. But there are some players, who like to hit the bowlers irrespective of the format. In today’s article, we are gonna tell you about the players with the highest strike rate in Test cricket. 

Shahid Afridi

Daring and invasive, former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi tops the chart with a strike rate of 86.97. From 1998 to 2010, he only played 27 test matches due to more success in white-ball cricket, comparing to the red ball, and amassed 1716 runs with a decent average of 36.5. Known as “Boom Boom”, scalped 48 wickets too. As a batsman, he scored 5 centuries and 8 half-centuries. 156 against India in 2006 was his best score in the longest format of the game. 

Tim Southee

Kiwi swing bowler Tim Southee holds the record of having the 2nd highest strike rate in Test, it might astonish you but this is the truth. Playing 88 Test matches for New Zealand, the 6.3 feet guy has scored 1855 runs at a commendable strike rate of 82.81. Being one of the best swing bowlers in the world, Southee has grabbed 347 wickets so far. So simply, the kiwi likes to smash the bowlers hard during batting, which makes him more of a bowling all-rounder than a bowler. Recently Tim Southee won the Test Championship by beating India in the final at Southampton. 

Virender Sehwag

Ex Indian swashbuckling opener Virender Sehwag gets third place in terms of keeping the highest strike rate in the test. Having an excellent strike rate of 82.23, Sehwag made 8586 runs with an impressive average of 49.3 in 104 matches. He had 23 tons and 32 fifties in his Test career, while he smashed two triple centuries over a strike rate of 100. Sehwag knew only one mantra, smashing the bowlers from the very first ball. The Delhite hit 1233 fours and 91 sixes, as he would like to deal with boundaries. 

Adam Gilchrist 

One of the best wicket-keeper batsmen of all time, Adam Gilchrist finds himself at 4th place on the chart of the highest strike rate in Test cricket. Gilly used to open the innings in the limited over formats, but in test, he batted at No 5 and struck the best bowlers around the world recklessly. The southpaw accumulated 5570 runs in 96 test matches at a captivating strike rate of 81.95. Averaging 47.60, he hit 17 centuries and 26 fifties. His highest score in the format was 204*. 

Graeme Swann

Ex English off-spinner Graeme Swann is another surprising name on the list, with a strike rate of 76.49 in the Test. Swann played 60 matches for England in the longest format and made 1370 runs batting down the order, while with the ball he picked up 255 wickets. He also made 5 half-centuries and 85 was his best batting figure. 

Players With Highest Strike Rate In Tests

Senior Cricket Content Editor at Skyblogs Cricket.

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