Being the oldest format ‘Test cricket’ will always remain special amongst fans across the world as it has produced so many legends and countless memories. The first Test was played way back in March 1877 between England and Australia in Melbourne where the hosts won the contest by 45 runs.
In total, there have been 4774 Tests played between different nations, including one game which was held between Australia and ICC World XI.
Needless to say in that many matches, several batsmen have scored a mountain of runs. However, there are very few who remain the leaders with a maximum number of runs. To name some, batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Alaister Cook, Brain Lara are such who have amassed more than 10,000 runs – a feat which has been accomplished by only 13 players.
These toppers have shown magic with the ball as well and taken quite a few wickets. However, some players have collected massive runs in their account but haven’t ever taken a wicket in their long red-ball careers.
Let’s have a look at five such players who have clubbed maximum runs but haven’t felt the joy of taking a wicket:
5.) Matthew Hayden
The Australian opener Matthew Hayden had played in the era when the Australian team dominated and wholly-owned the rest nations. The staggering career of Hayden itself showed how phenomenal he was as the top-order batsman for the Aussie squad.
The left-handed batsman accumulated 8625 runs in the longest format of the game with an outstanding average of 50.73. He scored 30 hundreds and 29 half-centuries in his Test career. The southpaw also tried his luck in bowling but didn’t achieve success there. Hayden bowled 54 deliveries in his career and gave 40 runs with an economy of 4.44, but he never got any wicket.
4.) Inzamam-ul-Haq
The class batsman from Pakistan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who went on to become one of the most successful captains, was undoubtedly a genius with the bat. The Multan-born dominated in Test cricket with his willow, scoring as many as 8830 runs with a brilliant average of 54.02. Inzi smashed 25 tons and 46 fifties in his career.
The triple-centurion in red-ball cricket wasn’t interested in bowling at all, and it shows with the statistics as well. Inzamam only bowled 9 deliveries in Tests and gave 8 runs with an economy of 5.33. He finished his career without a wicket.
3.) Hashim Amla
The batting genius from South Africa, Hasim Amla was known for his class, calmness and of course the most beautiful and stylish cricketing shots. His wristy leg-side flicks and excellent cover drives impressed many cricket fans across the globe.
The first South African to score a triple century in Test cricket, clubbed 9282 runs in his career with 28 centuries and 41 fifties to his name. The Durban-born cricketer bowled 54 deliveries with an economy of 4.11 but never got a wicket.
2.) Brian Lara
The thrilling stance, high raised bat, bent front knee and perfect hand-eye coordination, Brian Charles Lara, was an absolute genius the cricketing world has ever seen. The Trinidadian cricketer was all class whenever he came in the middle and showcased some of the most high-quality display of batting.
The only man on the planet to score 400 runs in an innings, Lara, has accumulated 11,953 runs in the longest format of the game with a breathtaking average of 52.98. The left-handed batsman has smashed 34 hundreds and 48 half-centuries in red-ball cricket. In 131 Tests, Lara bowled 60 deliveries with an economy of 2.80, but he was unsuccessful in claiming a wicket.
1.) Kumar Sangakkara
The batting maestro and the highest run-scorer for Sri Lanka in Test cricket, Kumar Sangakkara is a household name amongst cricket fans all around the world. The classy left-handed batsman smashed 11 double centuries in red-ball cricket which is the second-highest after the legendary Sir Donald Bradman who scored 12 in his career.
With a magnificent average of 57.40, Sangakkara has amassed 12,400 runs with 319 being his best. The dexterous batsman has 38 tons and 52 half-centuries to his name. In 134 Tests, the part-timer off-break bowler has bowled 84 deliveries in his career but remained wicketless.
