Top 5 Highest Run Scorers in World Test Championship

The inaugural edition of the World Test Championship (WTC) is set to come to an end with just one match remaining – the all-important one at that. The summit clash will see India and New Zealand going head-to-head for the coveted trophy – possibly the most important in Test match cricket history so far. Played at the Ageas Bowl in Southampton, the clash could turn out to be one for the ages.

The final marks the culmination of a two-year-long tournament that took place in the form of bilateral series between the contesting nations. The format and qualification criterion underwent changes as well, but in the end, it was the strongest two sides that prevailed, beating out stiff competition from England and Australia who weren’t too far behind in the points table.

Ahead of the final, we take a look at the top 5 highest run scorers in World Test Championship.

5. Ajinkya Rahane

The Indian vice captain Ajinkya Rahane is the only Indian to feature in the top 5 of the run scorers list. Despite being in patchy form over the last couple of years, Rahane is the highest run getter in the WTC in the list. In the 17 games he has played in the tournament, the Mumbai batsman has smashed 1095 runs at an impressive average of 43.80.

The numbers itself should b enough to shutdown the critics who have been calling for Rahane’s removal from the side following couple of poor knocks. The vice captain will be looking to better the numbers when India take over New Zealand in the final of the tournament.

4. Ben Stokes

Ben Stokes has been arguably the best all-rounder in the World lately. He has been magnificent for England across formats, let it be the 2019 World Cup Final or the Headingly Test later that year. Off late, Stokes’ batting prowess has increased exponentially and him featuring in the list of highest run-getters is no surprise.

Stokes has amassed 1334 runs in the 17 games he played with an incredible average of 46. He smashed four centuries and 7 fifties during the phase. His highest score of 176 in WTC came against West Indies in 2020.

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3. Steve Smith

Former Australia captain Steve Smith is often hailed as the best Test batsman of the generation. Smith was recently named the Test cricketer of the decade award. Smith made his comeback after one year ban with a century against England in Ashes 2019, which was also the first game of WTC 2019-21.

He then went on to score 1341 runs in 22 innings at an average of 63.85 to finish as the third highest run scorer in the tournament. He smashed four centuries and seven fifties in the period. Unfortunately, one of the best batsman of the format will be missing the final after Australia’s tour of South Africa was called off. 

2. Joe Root

Around the start of the WTC, Joe Root‘s place in the illustrious Fab Four was questioned as he struggled to convert his starts. The English skipper decided to give it back with the bat and he did so in style. Root was among the runs throughout the tournament as he led his side from the front.

He aggregated 1660 runs at an average of 47.42 including three hundreds and eight fifties. Root smashed two double centuries as well in WTC. Despite playing the most games in the tournament, Root and Co. failed to make it to the final by the barest of margins.

1. Marnus Labuschagne

Undoubtedly, Marnus Labuschagne is the fins of the inaugural edition of the WTC. Breaking onto the international scene with a scintillating knock as a concussion substitute, Marnus never looked back since the Ashes 2019. He has been the most successful batsman in the world since his maiden knock in the WTC.

He is the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 1675 runs from 23 innings at an excellent average of 72.82. He also smashed the most number of hundreds (5), and most fifties (9) in WTC. Unfortunately he too will not be featuring in the final of the WTC in Southampton.

Batsman	Team	Mat	Inns	NO	Runs	HS	Avg	Balls Faced	SR	100	50	Ducks	Fours	Sixes
Marnus Labuschagne	Australia	13	23	0	1675	215	72.82	2999	55.85	5	9	0	186	3
Joe Root	England	20	37	2	1660	228	47.42	3037	54.65	3	8	3	168	5
Steve Smith	Australia	13	22	1	1341	211	63.85	2509	53.44	4	7	1	151	7
Ben Stokes	England	17	32	3	1334	176	46.00	2308	57.79	4	6	1	142	31
Ajinkya Rahane	India	17	28	3	1095	115	43.80	2317	47.25	3	6	2	125	6

Also Read: WTC Final: ‘We have the ability to beat any side in the world’ – Cheteshwar Pujara