Scoring runs for fun is not just an old cliché but carries a deep meaning within it. It points towards the impeccability of the batsmen, who braved the odds, be it the invincible opposition or the conditions to rise on top and garner hefty runs in the favour of the team. The sport of cricket has seen several such great batsmen, both of yesteryears and current generation, who have churned out runs come every game and thus, wrote a unique record against their name. The world certainly identifies them with the magnitude of impact they had on every encounter they featured in and not just by the records, which in itself is an indication of their greatness. We will be talking about one such record in this article. In the below piece, we look at 5 batsmen, who crossed the tally of 600 runs at an average of over 100 most times in a single Test series:
1. Sir Don Bradman – 3
The greatest batsman of all times, Bradman achieved the particular feat thrice in his illustrious career. The first one came against arch-rivals England in their own backyard in 1930. The batting colossus smacked 974 runs from 7 innings at an average of 139.14 and a best score of 334. The man scored 4 centuries on that tour and this huge tally is still the highest in the history of cricket.
His second memorable outing came against the South Africans on their tour of Australia in 1931-32. The man piled up 806 runs from 5 innings at an enormous average of 201.50 and a best score of 299. Bradman yet again scored 4 centuries in the series and helped Australia gain an upper hand over the Proteas.
The last such feat came against the Indians on their tour of Australia in 1947-48. Bradman, who had already rose to prominence by then, hammered 715 runs from 6 innings at an average of 178.74 and best score of 201. The man had 4 centuries and a fifty against his name in the series.
2. Sir Garry Sobers – 3
A West Indian legend, also known as the greatest all-rounder the world had ever seen, Sobers left the world awestruck with his multi-dimensional skills and there is no surprise that he pulled off this feat thrice.
The first of the lot came against Pakistan on their tour of West Indies in 1957-58. The aggressive batsman smashed 824 runs from 8 innings at an average of 137.33, with 3 hundreds and 3 fifties. His highest score of 365 then made its way into record books of cricket before Lara eventually broke it.
The second feat was achieved during England’s tour of the Windies in 1959-60. The immaculate all-rounder contributed 709 runs from 8 innings at an average of 101.28, with 3 centuries and a fifty. His best effort during the series was a mammoth 226.
The last one came against England in their own backyard in 1966. Sobers galored 722 runs from 8 innings at an average of 103.14, with 3 centuries and 2 fifties. His best score during that series was 174.
3. Steve Smith – 3
With direct comparisons drawn to Australia’s very own, Sir Don Bradman, Smith has made his way into the elite group of men. The unconventional batsman too crossed the landmark thrice in his cricketing career so far. His first such effort came against the Indians during their tour of Australia in 2014-15. Smith garnered 769 runs from 8 innings at an average of 128.16, with 4 centuries and 2 fifties. He had a best score of 192 to show in the series.
His next such run came during the Ashes when England visited Australia in 2017-18. In 7 innings then, Smith smacked 687 runs at an average of 137.50, with 3 centuries and 2 fifties. His best score was a gigantic 239.
The right-hander completed a full circle as his last such achievement came against England in their own backyard in 2019. In 7 innings, Smith scored 774 runs at an average of 110.57, with 3 centuries and 3 fifties. His highest score in the series was 211.
4. Virat Kohli – 2
A modern-day genius, India’s all formats captain, Virat Kohli achieved such a milestone twice in his successful cricketing career so far. The first of the lot came against a touring England party in 2016-17. The stylish batsman blasted 655 runs from 8 innings at an average of 109.16, with 2 centuries and 2 fifties. His best score during the series was a hefty 235, which came at Mumbai.
The second and the last such feat came against the Asian rivals, Sri Lanka, who visited India in 2017-18. In just 5 innings then, Kohli plundered 610 runs at an unbelievable average of 152.50, with 3 centuries and a fifty. His best knock of 243 came at Delhi in a contest which was drawn.
5. Rahul Dravid – 2
The Wall of Indian cricket, Dravid achieved some spectacular feats during his playing days and made sure that India never crumbled under the opposition dominance. He accomplished this landmark twice in his career. His first such feat came against England in their own backyard in 2002. The Karnataka batsman mustered 602 runs from 6 innings at an average of 100.33, with 3 centuries and a fifty. His best score was a massive 217, which came at the Kennington Oval, London.
The second one came against Australia during India’s tour down under in 2002-03. Dravid chronicled 619 runs from 8 innings at an average of 123.80, with a century and 3 fifties. His best score of 233 came at the iconic ground of Adelaide in what turned out to be a famous win for India.
