Top 5 Batters With Lowest Strike Rate In An Innings In Test Cricket

Let's take a look at top 5 players with lowest strike rates in an innings in test cricket.

When it comes to the longest format of the game, one usually disregards the strike rate of a batter, as it purely depends on the situation of the match - whether the batter should go for runs, just spend time in the middle or save wickets for their team.

Let's have a look at the top 5 batters with the lowest strike rate in an innings in a test match (min. 175 balls faced):

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5. AB de Villiers (14.47)

In the memorable test encounter between India & South Africa at Delhi, 'Mr. 360' AB de Villiers had only defensive shots in his textbook. South Africa had to chase 481 in the 4th innings. With the win out of sight, the South African team had only one motive and that was to draw the match. 

AB de Villiers scored 43 runs in the 4th innings and faced 297 balls before getting out. His strike rate of 14.47 in this match comes at #5 on our list. 

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4. Aravinda de Silva (14.13)

In the 2nd test match between Sri Lanka & Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, Zimbabwe declared their first innings at 362/9. In reply, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 218 and Andy Flower, Zimbabwe captain, invited the tourists to bat again. 

After coming out to bat again, Sri Lanka were again off to a disastrous start as they lost their openers early on. However, Sanjeev Ranatunga scored an unbeaten 100, and Aravinda de Silva contributed in a crucial way to save the test. De Silva faced 191 balls for his knock of 27 runs before he was dismissed. The match ended in a draw. 

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3. Jos Buttler (12.56)

In the recently concluded Ashes 2nd test match, Australia challenged England to chase a total of 468 runs in the 4th innings. England's opener Haseeb Hameed went for a duck and there were wickets at regular intervals.

English Wicketkeeper Jos Buttler though, played a knock of 24 runs in 207 balls (strike rate: 12.56), with the sole purpose of batting throughout the day. However, he gifted his wicket to Australians via hit wicket.

Australia won the match by 275 runs. 

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2. Jack Russell (12.34)

In a thrilling match between South Africa & England in 1995 at Johannesburg, South Africa set a target of 479. In reply, England scored 351/5 at the end of Day 5, and the match ended in a draw.

Jack Russell remained unbeaten, on 29* in 235 balls with a strike rate of 12.34, and he was adjudged the 'Player of the Match' for saving the test for his team. 

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1. Hashim Amla (10.24)

In the same match in 2015 where AB de Villiers played with a strike rate of 14.47 to save the test, Hashim Amla also partnered with AB de Villiers in this marathon challenge. Amla scored just 25 runs off the 244 balls he faced, with a strike rate of 10.24.

Hashim Amla & AB de Villiers also etched a partnership of 27 runs in 253 balls to avoid a certain defeat. India ultimately won the match by 337 runs.