5 current batsmen with the least strike rate in Tests

Test cricket continues to stand as the most challenging format of the game. Played over a prolonged period of 5 days, the format demands that the best of the players' abilities are brought to the forth so as to survive its unforgiving rigours. For batsmen, Test cricket has always been about patience, grit, and determination to overcome the odds and stamp their authority over the game. From negotiating the testing conditions to battling it out on deteriorating surfaces for long durations, batsmen generally have their tasks cut out when facing the music in whites.

And given the respect Test cricket calls for, it is certainly a no surprise that history has seen most of the batsmen toil hard for earning each of their runs. Even in the modern era, where T20 cricket is fast changing the dynamics of the game, the longest format continues to hold its essence at the core. Barring a few belligerent strikers, many batsmen even today have strike rates less than 60 runs per 100 balls. As a matter of fact, there also exist a few resilient batsmen who regularly grind their way with strike rates lesser than 45! Here are 5 current batsmen with the least strike rates in Test cricket.

Note- The list features only those batsmen who have scored more than 1000 runs in Test cricket.

#5 Shaun Marsh

Given Shaun Marsh's brilliance in the T20 format, it is a bit of a surprise that his name features on this list. Making his Test debut in 2011, the Western Australian has grown into a senior pro in the Aussie Test outfit. However, the southpaw has always suffered from injuries and inconsistency, thereby making him a doubtful starter for many series. Apart from having to prove his worth quite regularly, Marsh often finds himself in match-saving situations that demand defensive style of play.

In a total of 34 games that he has played for his country so far, the 35-year-old has scored 2082 runs at a strike rate of 44.06, which is the least among his national contemporaries.

#4 BJ Watling

New Zealand v England - 2nd Test: Day 3

If you remember New Zealand's tour of India in 2016, it wouldn't be hard to recollect BJ Watling as a gritty customer who would place a hefty price on his wicket. And that's been the case for the majority of his career thus far, making the South African born cricketer be known as a tough nut to crack at the crease. Ever since making his Test debut in 2009, the 33-year-old has occupied a crucial suit in the national team, scoring valuable runs down the order.

In the 54 Tests that he has played so far, the wicket-keeper has scored 2837 runs while accounting for a strike rate of 43.66, which is among the least in the current crop of Kiwi players. Also, given that the ICC World Cup in around the corner, Watling will be looking at bettering his scoring rate in the 50-over format as well.

#3 Shai Hope

New Zealand v West Indies - 1st Test: Day 4

Shai Hope is one of the brightest prospects in store for the Windies. In a career that is relatively young, the batsman from Barbados has shown a lot of promise for the days to come. In fact, his famous twin hundreds at Headingley drew plaudits from all across the cricketing world and gave a glimpse of his capabilities with the bat.

However, much like any other Windies batsman of the modern era, Hope too, has disappointed with inconsistency. The 24-year-old has been criticised for going into the shell regularly, thereby slowing down the team's scoring rate. The right-hander has represented Windies in 24 games thus far and has amassed 1301 runs at a poor strike rate of 43.07. For someone who is deemed to be the next big thing in Carribean cricket, Hope will be looking to better his scoring rate and add an enhanced dimension to his game.

#2 Azhar Ali

Pakistan v Australia: 2nd Test - Day Three

Given that Misbah-ul-Haq has hung his boots from professional cricket last year, it is now safe to call Azhar Ali as the rock of the current Pakistan batting line up. From being solid in defence to showcasing plenty of patience in trying conditions. the middle-order batsman possesses all the right attributes of a solid Test batsman. And thanks to these very attributes, the man from Lahore has stood as one of his nation's most prolific run-scorers over the years.

While his average in the longer form calls for accolades, it is his strike rate that has caught the ire of the critics on many occasions. Typical to any batsman who plays anchor in the team, Azhar too scores at a painstaking rate. In his 67 Tests so far, the 33-year-old has scored 5303 runs at a strike rate of 41.39 runs per 100 balls.

#1 Kraigg Brathwaite

New Zealand v West Indies - 2nd Test: Day 2

Scoring a shade slower than Azhar Ali is Kraigg Brathwaite from West Indies. A possessor of great concentration, immense patience, and other attributes of a monk, the lanky Windies opener comes as a rightful player in the game's longest format. The 25-year-old is also one of the very few batsmen from his team, who is perfectly capable of playing longer innings in any conditions.

Often seen wearing away the bowlers with his defensive technique, Kraigg Brathwaite has turned into a crucial component for the Windies in Test cricket. In addition to his naturally sluggish style of play, the 25-year-old also plays with an increased responsibility owing to the inexperience in the Windies batting contingent. Representing his national team in 51 Tests so far, the man from Barbados has scored 3289 runs at a strike rate of 41.38.