Test Cricket has been the toughest format of the game always. But, over the years, fans have witnessed some quality batters while representing their respective countries. Back in 2014, the late Martin Crowe first came up with the term ‘Fab 4’ to refer to the most exciting talent in international cricket at that point. Since then, Australia’s Steven Smith, India’s Virat Kohli, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson, and England’s Joe Root have been part of the elite club.
But, when it comes to having an impact on your team, fans look for numbers, whether a player has performed or not in away conditions. For any player, performing in home conditions is comparatively easy. So, here are some numbers for these star batters when they have come on the field with the bat against big opponents in their backyard.
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Steven Smith (AUS)
Steve Smith has been the most prolific batter in the red-ball format in this generation because of his consistency, whether it is at home or away. The Aussie batter has also 32 centuries to his name so far. Among those, 25 have come against big opponents like New Zealand, South Africa, India, and England. In English conditions, Smith has smashed eight tons so far.
Even, in spinning conditions in India, he has managed three centuries so far. India’s quality spinners, rank turners and still, if an Aussie batter manages three Test tons, that is commendable. Smith has one century each in New Zealand and South Africa. So, overall, in terms of impact, Smith has to be at the top among these batters.
Virat Kohli (IND)
Team India’s poster boy has been the player to watch out for across all three formats. His hunger for scoring runs for his team has always driven him more and more than others. In Tests, Kohli has 29 centuries so far. Interestingly, at home, he has 14 tons compared to 15 tons in away conditions.
Among those, six have come in Australia, one in New Zealand, and two each in England and South Africa. However, after 2019, Kohli struggled to score in this format. In 2023, he notched up a century in both home and away conditions. Before that, his last away Test ton was back in 2018 against the Aussies in Perth. So, in the upcoming Australia tour, Kohli will look to rewrite history with some swashbuckling tons but as of now, having scored more centuries in away conditions than home, says a lot about the impact that he has left on world cricket.
Joe Root (ENG)
Having played 140 Tests so far, the current number two-ranked Test batter, Root, has scored 11,736 runs including 31 tons. Among those 13 have come in away conditions, but only six of them have come in New Zealand, India and South Africa. Despite playing 27 innings in Australia, his highest score is 89. Against the Aussies in their backyard, he has nine fifties so far with 892 runs, at an average of 35.68.
In Asian countries, Root has been brilliant when it comes to facing spinners. In India, he has three tons, along with 1,272 runs in 30 innings, at an average of 45.42. Even, in the recent series in India, despite a poor start, he managed to score a ton. But for a batter who has scored so many runs in different conditions, it is surprising for him not to score any centuries in Australia. Maybe, the upcoming Ashes series Down Under will be the one where he will like to notch his maiden ton.
Kane Williamson (NZ)
The Kiwi superstar is currently the number one-ranked batter in the longest format of the game. His numbers at home are staggering. Out of 32 centuries, 19 have come in New Zealand. But, among those remaining 13 tons, only four have come so far in Australia (2), India (1) and England (1). In South Africa, Kane Williamson still has no centuries. Surprising to see that from a class batter like Williamson.
Being from New Zealand where batters prepare themselves against pace, bounce and swing on a regular basis, it is quite surprising that the former New Zealand Test skipper has struggled in South Africa. He has only 127 runs in seven innings at an average of 21.16, including only one fifty. But, in contrast, at home against the Proteas, he has scored 941 runs in 13 innings at an average of 85.54, including six centuries and one fifty.
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