The number 5 position in test cricket has always been one of utmost importance. This position requires the batsman to walk into all kinds of different situations, be it with the top order crumbling, or a big partnership being broken, and two new batsmen at the crease. It requires a lot of versatility and ability to adapt and graft in equal measures. Here’s a look at 7 of the best number 5 batsmen in test cricket for the last 20 years:
7. Andy Flower (Zimbabwe)
Andy Flower was a highly underrated player, mainly because of the fact that he played in the Zimbabwe cricket team, which wasn’t taken too seriously by most heavyweights. Flower is easily one of the greatest No. 5 batsmen in the game, which can be seen by his average of close to 55. The interesting thing is his average as higher away from home, at 57, which was higher than most accomplished batsmen.
Innings: 82 Runs: 3788 Average: 54.89
6. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Misbah entered the test game late, and even then went on to captain the team after the age of 40, until the recent appointment of Sarfaraz Khan. He has walked into all kinds of situations for Pakistan, and somehow just always seems to know exactly what to do in every scenario. A calm and calculated player, he has played 80 out of his 82 innings away from home.
Innings: 82 Runs: 3564 Average: 53.19
5. Graham Thorpe (England)
He proved to be one of England’s most relied upon batsmen during a time when they were relatively weaker, and had lost the Ashes for years at a stretch, Thorpe averaged 56 at No. 5 and over 50 away from home, and his ability to adapt to spin bowling and know when to take the attack to the bowlers made him a great asset for the English team.
Innings: 78 Runs: 3373 Average: 56.21
4. AB de Villiers (South Africa)
De Villiers, known by his fans as “Superman”, is reknowned for his exploits in the shorter formats, but his highest score of 278* suggests that he is 100% capable of lighting up the stage inTests too. He averages 64 at the no. 5 position, but more importantly, averages over 60 both home and away. 26 times his score has been 50 and above out of 66 innings.
Innings: 66 Runs: 3574 Average: 63.82
3. Michael Clarke (Australia)
Michael Clarke was an absolute expert at the no. 5 position, especially at home. He averaged a whopping 84.5 which is as close to the legendary Don as it could possibly get. He has 40 fifty-plus scores in 110 innings and his average 60.8 at that position makes Clarke one of the greatest No. 5 batsmen of all time.
Innings: 110 Runs: 5959 Average: 60.8
2. Steve Waugh (Australia)
Steve Waugh was the only batsman to have batted at the number 5 position for more than 100 tests. He was a bulldog, and the epitome of the Australian fighting spirit. He is known as the first general of the “Invincible Aussies” era. He had an amazing conversion rate, and had 53 50+ scores in his 142 innings.
Innings: 142 Runs: 6754 Average: 56.28
1. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
Shivnarine Chanderpaul has scored more runs in the number 5 position than any other batsman in that role. He also has 29 not outs, proving his ability to graft with the tail enders, and his sheer determination to stay at the crease and grind out a result at all costs. He is one batsman who has made the number 5 position his own, and his name is now synonymous with that role.
Innings: 151 Runs: 6883 Average: 56.41
By Aravind Harish
