Every team wants a reliable batter in the No. 4 slot. Why?
They want someone to stabilise their ship after an early setback or solidify their position after a strong start.
That’s the reason why teams reserve the No. 4 spot for their best batters. Over the years, we have seen many batters put up consistent performances at No. 4 in Test cricket.
On that note, let’s look at the 10 greatest No. 4 batters in test cricket.
10. Younis Khan (Pakistan)
Younis Khan was Pakistan’s crisis man at No. 4 in Test cricket. He was a capable batter to pull out his team from trouble and provide the stability.
Younis debuted in 2000, batting at several positions from No. 3 to No. 7. But it was after 2002 that he kept oscillating between No. 3 and No. 4.
Younis scored 4000-plus runs at both positions, but he found a bit more success as a No. 4 batter. He amassed 4985 runs in 107 innings at an average of 53.03, including 17 hundreds and as many fifties.
9. Kevin Pietersen (England)
Kevin Pietersen is the most audacious batter to have played for England. He had some outrageous shots in his books, especially the switch hit, which he executed flawlessly.
The South Africa-born batter donned the England Test jersey in 2005. And a year later, he found himself batting at No. 4 on the tough India tour.
But that historic series turned out to be decent for Pietersen, where he showcased his spin-batting abilities. That cemented his position at No. 4, and he went on to score 6490 runs. He averaged 48.43 while smashing 19 centuries and 27 fifties.
8. Javed Miandad (Pakistan)
Considered one of the greatest batters from Pakistan, Javed Miandad stood tall against some of the fierce bowling attacks of his time. He was clever in finding the gaps and putting the runs on the board.
Abdul Hafeez Kardar discovered Miandad’s talent, and he showcased it early on in his Test career. Batting in his third innings, the right-hand batter smashed a double ton against New Zealand in 1976.
Miandad was equally good in overseas conditions, which depicted his ability to score runs in almost any condition. At no. 4, he gathered 6925 runs in 140 innings at an average of 54.10, including 19 centuries and 31 fifties.
7. Virat Kohli (India)
Once Sachin Tendulkar retired from Test cricket in 2013, there was a question: who would fill his void at No. 4? Virat Kohli staked his claim and proved it with a solid hundred in his first innings in that position in South Africa.
Since then, he has been the backbone of India’s batting lineup, tormenting bowling attacks with consistency. That has placed Kohli in the league of the greatest batters of the modern era.
The right-hand batter’s performances at No. 4 have also enabled India to taste success not just at home but in away Tests. Kohli is still going strong, with close to 7500 runs and over 25 centuries.
6. Steven Smith (Australia)
Another batter from this era to make it big as a dependable No. 4 batter. When he started playing in 2010, he was a leg spinner who could bat well in the lower order.
But three years later, Smith returned as a proper batter, batting at No. 5. His consistent run-making saw him fill in for then-captain Michael Clarke at No. 4 slot, which he made his own with time.
Smith’s remarkable career did take a plunge in 2018, with his involvement in ball-tampering in the Newlands Test. But he bounced back with the same enthusiasm, putting on brilliant performances since 2019.
Thus far, Smith has accumulated over 6000 runs at No. 4 while averaging close to 60.
5. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Lara was an elegant batter who played for the West Indies. There were quite a few batters during his time who scored big knocks with consistency.
His unbeaten 400 is a testimony to that, which still stands as the highest individual score in this format. Lara’s penchant for big scores was on display throughout the years, smashing six doubles tons while batting at No. 4.
He started his career in that position and played 91 Tests, scoring 7535 runs at an impressive average of 60.16. Lara laced his run tally with 24 hundreds and 31 fifties.
4. Joe Root (England)
Joe Root is one of the consistent performers for England in the whites, especially after the turn of this decade. The way he is churning out runs with precision and patience is commendable.
The right-hand batter started his career in late 2012, batting lower down the order. A few months later, he also opened the batting for England.
But it was in the middle order where he found solace. Root shifted to the No. 4 slot after trying out many positions and sealed the spot immediately with a 130-run knock against Australia in the 2015 Ashes.
The former England skipper still has a lot of cricket left in him. And he is looking to add more runs to his 7500-plus run tally.
