ICC World Test Championship 2019: Top 3 run-getters after Ashes 2019 (updated)

The ICC World Test Championship kickstarted in August 2019 with the first Ashes Test between the hosts England and Australia at Edgbaston. Since then, most of the teams have played their part in the Championship except the likes of South Africa, Bangladesh, and Pakistan.

With more context associated with each Test in terms of gaining points in the series, the relevancy for every Test match has increased by many folds. Even the players reckon this as just the right step that could help revive the dying interest in the traditional format of the game.

With only nine matches into the Test Championship, a few players have already stamped their authority, be it with the bat or ball in hand. While Steve Smith has been the standout act, the likes of Hanuma Vihari, Ben Stokes and Dimuth Karunaratne have already played some blinders to kickstart their campaign in the newly launched Championship.

At the end of a successful Ashes campaign for Australia, we take a look at the top three run-getters in the Championship so far.

---

#3 Rory Burns (Matches: 5, Innings: 10, Runs: 390, Avg: 39)

Rory Burns

One of the openers who succeeded in the Ashes this summer, Rory Burns has shown what he has to offer to England cricket in the times ahead. He may not be the most pleasing to the eye with his unusual stance and technique, but certainly knows how to grind for runs at the highest level. With a century in his first Ashes appearance at Edgbaston, Burns sends a clear signal with his ability to sustain at this level.

In the ten innings against a top-notch attack, he was made to work hard for his runs and the 29-year old came out with flying colors to earn that respect for himself in that dressing room. His tally of 390 runs may not sound that huge but for someone making initial strides in his career, it was decent effort to mark the beginning of a potentially great Test career which lies ahead of him.

Also see – World Test Championship Schedule

#2 Ben Stokes (Matches: 5, Innings: 10, Runs: 441, Avg: 55.12)

Ben Stokes was named as the player of the series for Ashes 2019

One of the star performers for England cricket through the entire course of this English summer, Ben Stokes' career has truly come a complete circle from where he was a year ago. Emerging as the best batsman for England in the Ashes, the all-rounder didn’t put a foot wrong in the entire five-match Test series.

His heroics at Headingley to single-handedly snatch victory from the jaws of defeat was ranked among one of the greatest Test match innings of all time.

With 441 runs in ten innings at an average of 55.12, Stokes was undoubtedly the second-best batsman after Steve Smith in the series. His class as a batsman came to the fore as he looked the most technically solid batsman in that entire English dressing room. He currently stands second in the list of most runs in the ongoing World Test Championship.

#1 Steve Smith (Matches: 4, Innings: 7, Runs: 774, Avg: 110.57)

England v Australia - 4th Specsavers Ashes Test: Day Four

Steve Smith exhibited class of the highest order with the bat in hand as his colossal efforts helped Australia retain the Urn. The leading run-scorer in the Ashes this summer, Smith was at the peak of his game in not only having to face the England bowling attack but also to cope with the hostile English crowd. He was the savior for the Australians in almost every innings and allowed his willow to do all the talking.

In just seven innings in the series, the 30-year old made life miserable for the bowlers by amassing 774 runs in the entire campaign. With an average of 110.57, Smith was easily the best batsman in the series with three centuries, including his highest score of 211 at Old Trafford. For his staggering display with the bat, he was also the Ashes Player of the series from Australia.

If these are signs of things to come, the No.1 ranked Test batsman is in ominous form and has issued a warning for every team which is scheduled to face Australia in the upcoming few months.