Highest Strike Rates In A Test Innings: England has well and truly revolutionized Test cricket in a short span of time. Brendon McCullum – Ben Stokes’ pairing has lit up Test cricket. Their run of 9 wins in 10 games is a testament to the fact that they are doing something right. England scored briskly in all three games against Pakistan to set up wins. Their approach led to a whitewash which was a first for Pakistan at home. This aggressive gameplay has led to conversations of batters scoring at a faster clip.
We look at batters who played with high strike rates in a Test inning:
[Minimum balls faced – 50]
#5 Kapil Dev – 161.81
He was the original swashbuckler of Indian cricket. Kapil Dev knew just one way to play. He once smashed 4 sixes in an over to overcome a 23-run follow-on mark. There is little surprise that he features on this list. Dev in a Test against England at Lords’ in 1982 scored 89 runs off just 55 balls.
The Haryana Hurricane as he was fondly called went on a rampage scoring 13 boundaries and 3 sixes. 70 runs of his 89 came in just boundaries. His strike rate in that innings was a massive 161.81.
#4 Adam Gilchrist – 172.88
He changed the way a wicketkeeper’s role was perceived in the game. Adam Gilchrist walked in at number 7 for the mighty Australian team. He had the ability to change the game from that position too. The opposition could hardly afford to relax when Gilchrist was at the crease.
He inflicted severe damage on a tired England attack at Perth in the 2006-07 Ashes Test. Gilchrist smashed one of the fastest Test centuries ever. He helped himself to 102 off just 59 balls. His innings comprised 12 fours and 4 sixes. He struck at 172.88 in that knock.
#3 Misbah-ul-Haq – 177.19
Pakistan under Misbah-ul-Haq was a different beast in the UAE. It was almost impossible for teams to beat them in the Middle East. In one such tough game for the visitors, Misbah played an absolute blinder. The man who was known for his defensive skills mainly ended up surprising everyone with his enterprising knock. He raced his way to a 57-ball 101 notching up 11 fours and 5 sixes. Misbah struck at a whirlwind 1771.9 in that innings.
#2 Brendon McCullum – 183.54
He is the man who is credited with the new trending term in cricket – ‘Bazball’. Brendon McCullum played all his cricket in the most positive way. It has always been all or nothing with McCullum. He exited the Test arena on one such exhilarating note. McCullum stroked 79-balls 145 against Australia on a tough wicket at Christchurch in 2016. He blazed his way to all parts of the ground. McCullum hit 21 fours and 6 sixes in that knock striking at 183.54!
#1 Vivian Richards – 189.65
It is to nobody’s surprise that Vivian Richards tops the charts for holding the record of the highest strike rate in a Test inning. Viv Richards always gave an impression of being in control. He loved to dominate attacks no matter what the conditions or quality of opposition. In a Test against England in 1986, Richards hammered what was then the fastest Test century of all time. He scored 110 of just 58 balls leaving the fans completely entertained. His strike rate of 189.65 remains a record for 36 years and counting!
