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In the long and storied history of Test cricket, all-rounders have consistently held positions of unmatched value. Their dual skillset, combining the art of run-scoring with the craft of wicket-taking, has often made the difference between victory and defeat.
How all-rounders have dominated Test cricket for decades
From Sir Garfield Sobers to Jacques Kallis, Kapil Dev to Ben Stokes and Ravindra Jadeja, these cricketers have embodied balance in an otherwise specialized game. Their presence allows teams tactical flexibility, ensuring batting depth and bowling options. In low-scoring matches, they provide resilience; in high-scoring encounters, they offer breakthroughs. Whether through match-saving centuries or game-turning spells, all-rounders have repeatedly been the heartbeat of Test sides. Their ability to impact all phases of the game sets them apart, making them indispensable assets in cricket’s toughest format. Even today, with modern cricket demanding relentless specialization, all-rounders continue to be the glue that binds championship-winning Test teams.
Ricky Ponting names his choice for the next top Test all-rounder
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has praised South African pacer Marco Jansen for his competitive nature and temperament, predicting that he will rise to become one of the best Test all-rounders in the world. Ponting, who worked closely with Jansen during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with Punjab Kings, speaking to ICC Digital after Day 1 of the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord’s, praised him for his pretty laid back attitude and the way he thinks about the game.
“He’s pretty quiet and pretty laid back. Nothing really affects him too much. Regardless of if he’s had a great day or not such a great day, he remains the same person. Whether that’s internally and the way that he thinks about the game or the way that he is around the dressing room. But I think like most South Africans, you can tell there’s an ultra-competitive streak inside him. And once he gets out on the field, then it’s game on,” Ponting said.
Jansen formed a lethal new-ball partnership with Kagiso Rabada, which tore through Australia’s top order on the opening day of the final. While Rabada stole the spotlight with a five-wicket haul, Jansen was equally impressive, returning figures of 3 for 49 in 14 overs, including the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head. Despite suffering a finger injury while fielding on Day 2, Jansen returned to the crease and removed Labuschagne for 22, underlining his toughness and commitment. Ponting was quick to highlight Jansen’s maturity and composure under pressure:
“I think he’s going to be one of the best all-rounders in Test match cricket in the world in the next couple of years. I’ve loved working with him, and I just think he’s an immense talent who is still very young in his international career,” the former Australian skipper stated.
Jansen’s rise has been swift, and with his ability to contribute both with the ball and potentially with the bat, Ponting believes the best is yet to come. As the next World Test Championship cycle approaches, the former Australian skipper expects Jansen to become an integral figure in South Africa’s red-ball setup:
“There is no limit to what Marco Jansen can achieve. With the kind of attitude and talent he has, he’s a future match-winner in all conditions. I genuinely believe the world will see the best of him in the years ahead,” Ponting concluded.
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