The England-Sri Lanka series features four of the best 22 Test batsmen ever

 
That’s quite some statement and one that most cricket aficionados would vehemently (and quite understandably) disagree with.

However, if we take averages as our sole (and rather misleading) barometer and set the qualification criteria at a minimum of 20 Test innings, the 1st Test at Cardiff does feature statistically at least four of the best 22 batsmen in the history of the game (see full list here).

In 22nd place is Mahela Jayawardene, who averages 53.82 from his 117 Tests.

Four places higher is Thilan Samaraweera, the current cricketer with the largest amount of shrapnel in their body. He averages 54.25 from 64 Tests.

Then moving past the likes of legends like Hutton, Hobbs and Tendulkar, we reach 12th place where Kumar Sangakkara averages 57.25 from 95 Tests.

But, top of the pile and behind only Bradman in the pantheon (as far as averages go at least) is Bob Willis’s favourite batsman Jonathan Trott, who will have to go some this summer to maintain or improve upon an average of 61.53 from his 19 Tests.

Only five batsmen in Test history who have more than 20 innings average over 60: Bradman, Graeme Pollock, George Headley, Herbert Sutcliffe and for the time being Trott.

As Mark Twain so rightly said “there are lies, damned lies and statistics”.

Where next?

1st Test: Cardiff - Preview: England reach for the feel good hit of summer

Seven reasons why England should not underestimate Sri Lanka

The 30 Greatest Batsmen Ever: Part 1 (30-21), Part 2 (20-11), Part 3 (10-1)

Check out all our Reverse Sweep cricket heroes and zeroes

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Comments

[Douglas]

Who do you think is fairly represented by those stats, Sangakkara is still pretty damn good and how do you compare with some older players?

[Ian Jackson]

Harping back to my earlier criticism of Broad's appointment as England's captain of anything!! Has anyone seen his pouting, petulant, pathetic, so-far-wicketless performance today? And he is going to captain mature cricketers like Bell, Cook,Tremlett, etc!!???

[The Reverse Sweep]

I share your concerns about Broad. He has a lot of growing up to do if he can make the transition to captaining a side. Thank God it is only Twenty 20!!

[pembe maske]

That’s quite some statement and one that most cricket aficionados would vehemently (and quite understandably) disagree with.