Five opening batters with highest strike rates in Test cricket

Since the start of the 21st century, the batting style in Test match cricket has changed drastically. From having the mindset of playing defensively till the ball gets old, the modern-day opening batters keep hitting the ball till it gets old. This has led to a lot of challenges for the bowling sides. In this listicle, we will discuss five players with the highest strike rates.

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Five players with the highest strike rates in Test cricket

5. Matthew Hayden

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The former Australia opening batter played 103 Tests from 1994 to 2009. During his career, he amassed 8625 runs striking at 60.10 including 30 hundreds. In the early 2000s, he started opening the batting and started to change the mindset of Test match batting against the new ball.

4. Chris Gayle

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The former West Indies skipper played 103 Tests from 2000 to 2014. During this, the left-hander amassed 7214 striking at 60.26 including 15 hundreds. Over the years, he hasn't played a Test and played for the Maroon Brigade till the T20 World Cup 2021.

3. Sanath Jayasuriya

The former Sri Lanka skipper made his international debut in the same year as Sachin Tendulkar, i.e. 1989. Meanwhile, the former played 110 Tests from 1991 to 2007. During this, he amassed 6793 runs striking at a rate of 65.18 as he was known to attack the opposition bowling. 

2. David Warner

He is the only player in this list who is still playing the game. He made his debut in 2011 and recently announced his retirement after the ongoing three-match Test series against Pakistan at home. Meanwhile, in the 109 games played by him, he has 8487 runs striking at 70.37 including 25 hundreds.

1. Virender Sehwag

The former India opening batter started opening the batting in Test cricket around the same time as Hayden. Talking about his Test career, he has played 104 games and amassed 8586 runs striking at 82.23, the highest in the world including 23 hundreds.