Big runs, no tons: Mitchell Starc, Tim Southee and more – most Test runs without a century

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A century is a fantastic career milestone and every batsman worth his salt who has played Test cricket wants to have a three figure score next to his name at some point. In many ways reaching the three-figure mark is almost a confirmation of your worth as a batsman.

For many players though they will never raise their bat for a century. Their careers may be long, their weight of runs significant, but the hundred some elusive.

As Pakistan prepare to host the West Indies in the first Test in Multan, let’s take a moment to look at the batsmen who have scored the most Test runs in their careers without ever reaching three figures – it’s an interesting list full of many well-known names.

7. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies) – Test runs: 1,810; highest score: 92

Another West Indian legend who will be remembered as an outstanding bowler rather than a valuable lower-order contributor. One of the greatest fast bowlers of all time he was a handy lower-order batsman, accumulating 1810 runs in his Test career, with a highest score of 92. As a batsman he was often responsible for providing crucial runs in tight situations.

Despite a modest average of 18.85, his contributions with the bat were invaluable to the West Indies’ dominance in the 1980s. In all Marshall passed 50 on 10 occasions.

6. Deryck Murray (West Indies) – Test runs: 1,993; highest score: 91

A reliable wicket-keeper batsman for the West Indies during the 1960s and 70s Murray scoring 1993 runs with a highest score of 91. Known for his solid technique and powers of concentration his average of 22.90 reflects his role as a steadying influence in the lower order, often partnering with tailenders to add vital runs.

His highest score of 91 had nothing to do with tailenders however as he shared a sixth wicket stand of 250 with the great Clive Lloyd as the West Indies posted a first innings total of 604 for six declared against India in Mumbai in 1975. It was a knock that helped secure the Windies an impregnable position which secured them a 201-run win.

5. Chetan Chauhan (India) – Test runs: 2,084; highest score: 97

While most of the players on this list are lower-order contributors, Chetan Chauhan was an opening batsman. A gritty opener for India, he partnered the legendary Sunil Gavaskar in many memorable opening stands. Over his career, he scored 2084 runs with a top score of 97, narrowly missing out on a century.

His average of 31.57 highlights his consistency at the top of the order. Perfectly suited to opening the batting he was gritty and brave although somewhat limited in terms of his stroke play. He was the perfect foil for Gavaskar who was more of stroke player, a fact evidenced by their opening stand of 213 against England at The Oval in 1979. Chuhan scored 80 of those runs, the rest belonged to Gavaskar. In all Chauhan passed 50 sixteen times in 68 Test innings.

Also read: Remembering 5 of the best players to never play Test cricket

4. Mitchell Starc (Australia) – Test runs: 2.190; highest score: 99

With 376 Test wickets to his credit Starc is first-and-foremost a bowler. The jury is out on whether he can be considered an allrounder… with a highest score of in 99 made in Mohali in 2013 he can certainly bat a bit, and he has passed 50 in 10 of his 137 Test innings.

Although he is getting on a bit – he turns 35 on the 30th of January – he is still playing Test cricket for Australia and with a couple of Tests against Sri Lanka coming up and the final of the World Test Championship on the horizon as well, there are still opportunities for Starc to get himself off this list (or of course to move himself to a higher position).

3. Tim Southee (New Zealand) –  Test runs: 2,245; highest score: 77 not out

Freshly retired following the conclusion of the series against England, Southee made his Test debut in 2008. A clean-hitting lower order batsman Southee owes his appearances on this list more to the volume of game played rather than his batting prowess. As much as he was a bowler, he knew what he was doing with the bat – he was looking to clear the fence.

Aside from being third on the list of run scorers never to reach three figures, Southee is also fourth on the list of most sixes hit in Tests – he has cleared the fence 98 times.

2. Niroshan Dickwella (Sri Lanka) – Test runs: 2,757; highest score: 96

Niroshan Dickwella, known for his flamboyant batting and acrobatic wicket-keeping, has scored 2757 runs in his Test career. With a highest score of 96, Dickwella is a player with an attacking mindset who likes to score quickly.

Still playing, although not currently part of the Sri Lankan national team Dickwella loves sweeps, ramps and switch hits. Without a ton in Test cricket, he does boast two centuries in ODIs and a highest score of 209 in First Class cricket.

1. Shane Warne (Australia) – Test runs: 3,154; highest score: 99

One of the greatest bowlers of all time, Warne was no mug with the bat as a Test highest score of 99 suggests. That knock came on 2003 in a drawn Test at the WACA against New Zealand.

His average of 17.32 doesn’t fully capture the impact of his batting, as he often played crucial innings lower down the order, either with his side under pressure or when they were looking to score quick runs.

Read next: Country with the most ODI hat-tricks – it’s not India, Australia or England

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