Top 5 active players with the highest average in First class cricket

The First class cricket is a door to the National team for any player. Impressive performances in the First class tournaments, can grab the eyeballs of the selectors and earn the players a spot in the National side. Over the years, almost all players have raised through the ranks of domestic cricket in their respective countries.

Piling on runs every season is a must for a batsman to impress the selectors and is not at all an easy task. Let us now look at five active players who have the highest average in First class cricket.

Note: Players who have played at least 50 First class matches have been considered

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#5 Virat Kohli (India)

The Indian skipper who represents Delhi in the domestic circuit made his First-class debut during the Ranji Trophy game against Tamil Nadu at Delhi in November 2006. Kohli scored just 10 runs in that drawn game at the Feroz Shaw Kotla 12 years ago.

So far, he has played 101 First-class matches scoring 8243 runs at an average of 54.58 with his highest score being 243. The flamboyant Delhiite has 30 centuries and 26 half-centuries to his name in his First class cricket.

Having made his Test debut against West Indies at Jamaica in June 2011, Virat has so far played 69 Test matches for Team India scoring 5994 runs. After Mahendra Singh Dhoni's retirement from Tests in December 2014, he took the Test captaincy from January 2015 against Australia in Sydney.

Currently, he is the number one ranked batsman in Tests and is India's second successful Test skipper with 22 wins in 38 matches behind MS Dhoni (27 wins in 60 matches). Kohli is now leading the team from the front- be it with his batting or captaincy and remains to be a pillar of strength for the Indian cricket team across formats.

#4 Rohit Sharma(India)

Rohit Sharma

Rohit made his First class debut for Mumbai in the domestic circuit, made his First class debut for India A against New Zealand A at Darwin in July 2006. Rohit, who scored a brilliant half-century (57) in the first innings amassed 79 runs in his debut match as India A defeated New Zealand A by three wickets.

The Mumbai batsman has so far played 85 First class matches, scoring 6456 runs at an average of 54.71 with his highest score being 309*. He has amassed 20 centuries and 29 half centuries in his First class cricket career. The 'Hitman' made his Test debut against West Indies at his favorite hunting ground - the Eden Gardens, Kolkata in November 2013.

He was declared the Man of the match on his debut as he made 177(301) and guided India to a facile, innings and 51 runs win over the Caribbean men. Perceived more as a limited overs batsman, Rohit could not replicate his enormous limited overs success in the whites for Team India. He has so far played 25 Test matches, in which he has made 1479 runs. Currently, Rohit is arguably one of the best batsman in limited overs cricket across the globe.

#3 Fawad Alam (Pakistan)

Fawad Alam

The Karachi-born left handed batsman made his First class debut for Pakistan Customs against Khan Research Labs in the Patrons Trophy at Karachi in December 2003. Fawad scored 19 runs in this game (both innings combined), which his side lost by an innings and 28 runs.

The southpaw who bowls slow left arm orthodox has played 145 First class matches, scoring 10742 runs at an average of 55.37 with his highest score being 296*. He has amassed 27 centuries and 57 half centuries so far in his First class career and also has 44 wickets to his name.

He made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Colombo in July 2009 and was named the Man of the Match for his 168(259) in the second innings. His splendid innings though, could not save Pakistan from suffering a seven wicket defeat against the hosts.

Though he had a dream Test debut, his career in whites did not lost long as he has so far played just three matches for Pakistan in Tests scoring 250 runs. Though the 32 year old last appeared for his country several years ago, he continues to play a in the domestic circuit.

#2 Steve Smith (Australia)

Steve Smith

The Aussie batsman who plays for New South Wales in the domestic circuit, made his First class debut in the Pura Cup at Sydney against Western Australia in January 2008. Smith made 33 runs in his debut game which his side won convincingly by nine wickets.

Smith started his career as a leg-spinner but slowly transformed into a world-class top order batsman with his amazing stroke-play. He has so far played 118 First-class matches, scoring 10424 runs at an impressive average of 57.27 with his highest score being 239.

The stylish right hander has amassed 37 centuries, 44 half-centuries and also scalped 67 wickets in his Firct class career. Smith made his Test debut against Pakistan at Lord's in July 2010. He scored just 13 runs and took 3 wickets on his debut, which his Team won by 150 runs.

Currently, he is one best batsman across all formats and is ranked number two in Tests, behind Virat Kohli. The former Australian cricket team captain is currently serving a one year ban due to his alleged involvement in the infamous 'sandpaper gate' scandal in South Africa earlier this year.

#1 Hanuma Vihari (India)

Hanuma Vihari

Hanuma Vihari, who plays for Andhra in the domestic circuit made his Firct class debut for his side during the Ranji Trophy against Jharkhand at Ranchi in November 2010. Vihari was a part of the victorious Indian Under-19 side that won the ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup at Australia in 2012.

He has so far played 63 First class matches, scoring 5142 runs at an astonishing average of 59.79 with his highest score being 302*. His average of 59.79 in First class cricket remains the highest among the active players.

Vihari was the leading run scorer for Andhra in the last Ranji Trophy season with 752 runs in six matches. He has been a consistent performer with the bat for his side since making his debut eight years ago. Thanks to his impressive performances for India A in the recent tournaments, he has earned a spot in India's squad for remaining two (fourth and fifth) Test matches against England.

The 24 year old, who bowls right-arm off break has 19 First class wickets to his name. His hard work and consistency with the bat has paid off with his selection in India's squad and the Andhra batsman, who is yet to make his Test debut has a bright future ahead of him.