No.11 is almost an inconsequential role in a batting line-up in Tests. Barring when there is a close chase or when there is a set batter at the other end, usually, not much is expected out of a No.11 batter. Sometimes, the opposition also takes the tactic of bouncing them out, something that could prompt the batting captain to take the declaration. Nevertheless, runs have also come off a No.11 batter and a few of them have been decent in that role. On that note, in this article, we take a look at five players who have scored the most runs as a No.11 in Tests.
Note: The stats are as of June 11th, 2022.
5) Courtney Walsh (West Indies) – 553
Innings: 122 || Average: 7.47 || Not Outs: 49
West Indian speedster Courtney Walsh, who took 519 wickets for his nation, also contributed with 553 runs at No.11. The legend stands at No.1 on the list of players to have taken the most number of wickets for his country in Tests.
With the bat, Walsh was the designated No.11, although he did play 56 innings at No.10. Interestingly, compared to the other positions that he has batted in, the player had a better strike rate at No.11.
4) Glenn McGrath (Australia) – 603
Innings: 128 || Average: 7.63 || Not Outs: 48
Glenn McGrath is one of the players who have scored the most runs as a No.11 in Tests. The Aussie pacer scored 603 of them and even has a fifty to his name. He struck 61 runs when New Zealand toured Australia back in 2004.
McGrath has 35 ducks in his career and 32 of them came while batting at No.11. He was not a reliable batter at No.11 but he always made amends with his wicket-taking skills.
3) James Anderson (England) – 609*
Innings: 164 || Average: 8.12 || Not Outs: 89
James Anderson is the highest wicket-taking pacer in Tests and is also one of the more confident No.11 batters. It needs to be noted that barring as an opener, Anderson has batted at all the other batting positions in a line-up.
Of course, the most frequent occurrence is at No.11. In the 2014 Nottingham Test against India, Anderson also surprised all by scoring 81 runs at No.11. His knock included 17 boundaries and was vital in ensuring that England did not lose the encounter.
2) Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka) – 623
Innings: 98 || Average: 11.33 || Not Outs: 43
The highest wicket-taker of all time, Muralitharan, was an entertainer both with the ball and the bat. While everyone is aware that he made most batters dance to his deliveries, with the willow, Muralitharan offered a different kind of entertainment.
He had a slightly unorthodox approach with the bat and looked to take on the bowlers on most occasions. Batting at No.9, the Sri Lankan legend has even got a fifty to his name. In the 98 times that he batted at No.11, Muralitharan was out on duck on 20 instances.
1) Trent Boult (New Zealand) – 623*
Innings: 78 || Average: 16.39 || Not Outs: 40
Trent Boult stands at No.1 on this list of players who have scored the most runs as a No.11 in Tests. In the recent England vs New Zealand Test, Boult became the joint highest run-scorer at this position.
Although he has mostly batted at No.11, Boult is a far better batter than that. He has got a fifty in Test cricket and in the shorter formats, Boult has often left many impressed with his ability to strike big blows. Considering Boult still has a long way to go in his Test career, he is likely to extend his record and even get to the 1000-run mark. That said, if Boult shows good form with the bat, he is more likely to be promoted than continue playing at No.11.
