Test cricket is often called the best cricket. Every cricket fan out in the middle always praises test cricket as the king of all the formats of the game. However, a player always needs so much patience to give their best in Test cricket. Be it a batsman or a bowler, the player has to keep patience till the very end of the match. However, no batsman wants to score a duck in any form of the game. But, somehow the players were been out of touch and got out on a duck. In this article, we are going to see those batsmen who have scored the most ducks in Test cricket batting at number 3. However, surprisingly this list includes some great batsmen in the longer format of the game.

Also Read: Quickest to become ICC No.1 Test Batsman

#1. Azhar Ali | 14 ducks

Pakistan batsman Azhar Ali has scored 14 ducks in his Test career batting at number 3 during 2010-2021. He got out on a score of zero 14 times in test cricket. In Tests, Azhar Ali has aggregated 6721 runs in 169 innings with an average of 42.54. He has registered 34 half-centuries and 18 centuries including 3 double tons and one triple ton in his test career since 2010.

#2. Hashim Amla | 11 ducks

Former South Africa opener Hashim Amla has had great stats in the longest format of the game. But, he has also scored the second most ducks in Test cricket history. Hashim Amla has registered 11 ducks in his Test career since 2006. In Tests, Amla has aggregated 9282 runs in 215 innings with an average of 46.11. He has registered 41 half-centuries and 28 centuries including 4 double tons and one triple ton in his Test career. Amla has retired from Test cricket in 2019.

Read Also: Fewest innings to score 2000 runs in Test

#3. David Boon | 11 ducks

Former Australia batsman David Boon has also scored 11 ducks batting at number 3 during his test career in 1985-1995. David Boon has been one of the finest Aussies batsmen of the 90's generation. In Tests, Boon has aggregated 7422 runs in 190 innings with an average of 43.66. Boon has also registered 32 half-centuries and 21 centuries including one double hundred in his test career.

Also Read: Youngest No.1 Ranked Test Bowler in the world

#4. Kumar Sangakkara | 10 ducks

Former Sri Lanka wicket-keeper batsman Kumar Sangakkara has always been known for his brilliant batting skills in the longer format of the game. Sangakkara has recorded 10 ducks in his Test career. However, Sangakkara will not be happy with this record. In Tests, Sangakkara has aggregated 12400 runs in 233 innings with an average of 57.14. Sangakkara has registered 52 half-centuries and 38 centuries including 11 double tons and one triple ton in his Test career during 2001-2015.

#5. Ricky Ponting | 9 ducks

Former Aussies captain Ricky Ponting has registered 9 ducks during his test career in 2003-2011. Ricky Ponting has one of the greatest test skipper of Aussies cricket in his era. In Tests, Ricky has aggregated 13378 runs in 287 innings with a decent average of 51.85. Ponting has registered 62 half-centuries and 41 centuries including 6 double tons in his test career. Ricky has left Test cricket back in the year 2011.

#6. Cheteshwar Pujara | 9 ducks

Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara has scored the most duck at the number 3 spot for India. Pujara has also recorded 9 ducks in his Test career since his debut in 2014. In Tests, Cheteshwar Pujara has aggregated 6589 runs in 157 innings with an average of 44.52. Pujara has registered 31 half-centuries and 18 centuries including 3 double tons in his Test career. He is currently playing for India at the number three spot.

Read Also: Most overs bowled in test cricket

There are five other batsmen who have scored 8 ducks each in their test career batting at number three for their country. The five batsmen are the following :

Mark Butcher (England): 8 ducks
Rahul Dravid (India): 8 ducks
Mominul Haque (Bangladesh): 8 ducks
Dilip Vengsarkar (India): 8 ducks
Younis Khan (Pakistan): 8 ducks

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 27/12/2021.

Despite a great fight on the last day at Lord's, India suffered a heartbreak defeat by 22 runs in the third Test against England. Along with this, the discussion has intensified about the batting order of the team, especially the batting at number 3.

After the defeat at Lord's, the Indian men’s cricket team would like to come up with a big show in the fourth Test to level the series. The fourth red-ball match of the ongoing ENG vs IND five-match series will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester from July 23 to 27. For the match at Old Trafford, Indian team management could make multiple changes to the playing XI.

Also Read: England penalised two WTC points for slow over-rate in Lord’s Test

Sudharsan may replace Karun Nair

Karun Nair looked solid whenever he was on the pitch in the 6 innings so far. But he could never take his innings beyond 50. Nair scored 0, 20, 31, 26, 40 and 14 runs in the 6 innings so far. During this time, he got out unlucky many times. But it is possible that the team management may now plan to try talented and young cricketer Sai Sudharsan in his place.

23-year-old Sai Sudharsan from Chennai got a chance to debut in the ENG vs IND Leeds Test. But the first opportunity slipped from his hands like sand from his fist. He played innings of 0 and 30 runs in Leeds. The team lost the Test and he was also dropped from the playing XI.

Kuldeep can make a return

Discussions have once again intensified about the inclusion of 30-year-old left-arm wrist spinner Kuldeep Yadav, who has taken 56 wickets in 13 Tests, in the playing XI. This tour could prove to be a good opportunity to include Kuldeep in the team.

Bumrah and Rishabh Pant out

Before the start of the series, chief selector Ajit Agarkar, head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill, and even Bumrah himself confirmed that he will play only three matches in England, and since the pacer has already featured in two matches out of three played so far, there is a high possibility that he will miss the game in Manchester to return for the final fixture at The Oval in London from July 31 to August 4.

In addition to Bumrah, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant could also miss the match in Manchester. Pant suffered a finger injury during the first day’s play of the Lord’s Test, and as a result, he didn’t keep after 34 overs in the first innings. There is still no clarity over Pant’s injury. If he misses out, then Dhruv Jurel will replace him in the playing XI.

The 24-year-old stumper from Agra impressed with his glovework during the third Test, and he has amassed a total of 202 runs in six innings of four Tests played so far. Jurel’s best score in Test cricket is 90, which he registered against the English team in Ranchi last year.

Akash Deep likely retain Bumrah's place

Akash Deep could only manage to take one wicket in the third Test, but if Bumrah misses out due to workload management, then he is likely to retain his place.

Prasidh Krishna, Shardul Thakur, Arshdeep Singh, and Kuldeep Yadav are the other four bowlers in India’s Test squad for the England series, and for the game at Old Trafford, Arshdeep could come in for Bumrah. Arshdeep is a left-arm pacer, and his inclusion will bring variety to India’s bowling attack.

Also Read: "Find this ridiculous": Stuart Broad slams ICC's call on Siraj, while Gill's behaviour goes unpunished

India’s predicted playing XI for the ENG vs IND 4th Test

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Dhruv Jurel (WK), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Arshdeep Singh, Akash Deep, Mohammed Siraj.

Australia pacer Mitchell Starc scripted history in the third Test against West Indies in Jamaica as he grabbed the fastest five-wicket haul in Test history, in just 15 balls. No player in world cricket has ever managed to take a 5-wicket haul in fewer deliveries. With this Starc also surpassed Chaminda Vaas in terms of taking most wickets in tests by left-arm seamers. 

In this article, we will take a look at those left-arm bowlers with most wickets in tests.

Also Read: 5 wickets in 15 balls! Mitchell Starc creates record for the fastest five-wicket haul in test cricket

Most Wickets in Tests by left-arm seamers

7. Neil Wagner | 260

Neil Wagner, the former New Zealand fast bowler, claimed 260 wickets in 64 Tests at an average of 27.60 for New Zealand, from 2012 until his international retirement in February 2024, earning plaudits along the way for his indefatigable left-arm line of attack. 

He was a key member of the team that reached number one in the world and won the inaugural Test world championship in 2021. Among career highlights were his roles in famous victories over England in 2018 and last year's one-run win over the same opposition in Wellington.

6. Zaheer Khan | 311

Zaheer Khan, India’s finest left-arm seamer, has played 92 tests and took 311 wickets with 11 five-wicket hauls. Known for his ability to swing the ball both ways, Zaheer was a key figure in many of India’s overseas wins. His standout performances in England and South Africa helped India win Test matches in challenging conditions. 

5. Mitchell Johnson | 313

Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, who struck fear into batsmen around the world but especially on the bouncy pitches of his homeland, took 313 wickets in 73 tests at an average of 28.40.

He was a pretty decent bowler throughout his career, but during his peak, he was one of the terrifying bowlers in the world. One of the most notable performances from him was the 2013-14 Ashes in Australia, where he ripped apart the English lineup, match-after-match, innings-after-innings.

4. Trent Boult | 317

Trent Boult is a New Zealand cricketer who is known for being a threat to batsmen all over the world because of his ability to swing the ball on both sides. Boult debuted in Test matches in 2011. He’s the fourth-highest wicket-taker as a left-arm seamers in Tests as he took 317 wickets in 78 matches. He owns 18 four-wicket hauls, 10 five-wicket hauls and 1 ten-wicket haul.

His best bowling figures in Test innings are 6 for 30 runs and a single Test match 10 wickets for 80 runs. He was a part of the winning squad of the ICC World Test Championship in 2019-2021.

3. Chaminda Vaas | 355

In a time when Murali was taking all the plaudits, Vaas was undoubtedly Sri Lanka’s greatest fast bowler, picking up 355 wickets in 111 Tests at an impressive average of 29.58. He’s the only seamer from the island nation to have over 200 wickets and took career best figures of 7/71 with his deceptive swing and persistent line and length.

2. Mitchell Starc | 402

Australian speedster Mitchell Starc set several records in the 3rd and final Test against West Indies in Kingston. In his 100th Test appearance, Starc took seven wickets, including six in the final innings. He recorded a fifer off just 15 balls. 

Starc returned figures worth 6/9 from 7.3 overs in the fourth innings, his career-best in the format. This was his 16th Test fifer. Starc, who became the 16th Aussie to complete 100 Test appearances, has now 402 wickets as a left-arm seamers in test at an average of 27.02.

Also Read: West Indies vs Australia: West Indies register second lowest test score in an inning by a team

1. Wasim Akram | 414

Regarded as one of the greatest left-arm fast bowlers to have played the game, Wasim Akram represented Pakistan in 104 Tests between 1985 and 2002, claiming 414 wickets at an average of 23.06. He also took 25 5-wicket halls. Among these, he took two Test hat-tricks. His best bowling figures in a test match were 7/119. 

West Indies just registered their lowest test score in their history after registering only 27 in the fourth innings of the third West Indies vs Australia test in Kingston. While chasing only 204 in the last inning of the test match, West Indies were bundled out for 27 after Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland ran through them. 

For the West Indies, only Justin Greaves could reach the double-figure (11) mark. 7 of 11 batters of the West Indies team were dismissed for ducks.

Australia started the inning on a fiery note, with Mitchell Starc taking three wickets in the first over. He then went on to break the record for the fastest five-wicket haul in a test inning as he reached the landmark in just 15 balls. West Indies once were 6 for 11, but a small partnership from Alzarri Joseph and Justin Greaves helped them reach 26.

But from 26/6, Scott Boland took a hat-trick to reduce them to 26/9. Mitchell Starc then wrapped up the inning with his sixth wicket as he finished with a bowling figure of 7.3-4-9-6. 

What is the lowest test score in history?

New Zealand in 1955 registered the lowest test score in history when they were bundled for only 26 in the third inning against Australia in Auckland. Bert Sutcliffe could only reach the double-figure mark (11) for the Kiwis. 

Frank Tyson started the attack for Australia, taking the first two wickets. But it was Brian Statham and Bob Appleyard who finished the job for the team from down under. Statham returned with 9-3-9-3 while Appleyard had the bowling figure of 6-3-7-4. 

Although New Zealand had played 27 overs to score those 26 runs. They lost the test match by an innings and 20 runs.

10 lowest test scores in test cricket

Along with New Zealand in 1995 and the West Indies in 2025, South Africa features in the top five of the lowest test scores in test cricket. 

In 1896, South Africa were bundled for 30 against England in Gqeberha, which was the lowest test score for nearly 59 years.

South Africa again matched their record when England bowled them out for 30 again, this time in Birmingham in 1924. In 1899 and 1932, South Africa registered 35 and 36, respectively, against England and Australia.

Then comes India's 36 all-out against Australia in 2020 in Adelaide. India comes on the list again with their 42 against England in 1974 at Lord's. 

However, before all of these, Australia had the record for the lowest test score, before New Zealand broke the record. In 1888, Australia were bundled out for 42 against England at their own turf in Sydney. 

The third test between England and India at Lord's has been a gripping contest. After an intense Day 3, where tensions noticeably escalated between the two teams, Day 4 saw even heightened clashes.

In just the fifth over of the day, India's Mohammed Siraj struck up a sharp back-of-a-length delivery at 140 kph. Batting at 12, the English opener Ben Duckett mistimed the ball while attempting to pull from outside the off stump, which resulted in a straightforward catch for Bumrah.

What followed was an aggressive, in-your-face celebration from Siraj, involving a direct charge towards the batsman and a prolonged, intense stare. Things got even worse as the celebration involved a visible shoulder barge with Duckett.

This unexpected and fiery encounter raised concerns about a serious issue: Will Mohammed Siraj face a ban risk over his aggressive send-off and shoulder barge to Ben Duckett on Day 4 of the Lord's test? Find out what the ICC code of conduct suggests:

Read Also: ENG vs IND Test at Lord's: Every result from India vs England test at Lord's

Is Mohammed Siraj at a bank risk over his aggressive send-off to Ben Duckett?

Mohammed Siraj provided an early breakthrough to his nation by dismissing England's explosive opener, Ben Duckett. High-stakes matches in cricket often saw intense celebration from both sides. However, Siraj's celebration involving a shoulder barge has put him under a ban and in potential trouble.

Siraj could be found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which states: "Using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match."

The article "includes any language, action or gesture used by a Player and directed towards a batter upon his/her dismissal which has the potential to provoke an aggressive reaction from the dismissed batter, whether or not any reaction results, or which could be considered to disparage or demean the dismissed batter, regardless of whether the batter him/herself feels disparaged or demeaned (in other words, a ‘send-off’)"

Read Also: Latest ICC Test player rankings update: Featuring new No.1 and Shubman Gill's historic Top 10 debut

Lines that Siraj seemed to cross with his celebration:

• "excessive celebration directed at and in close proximity to the dismissed batter": The celebration after Duckett's dismissal involved Siraj coming within close proximity of him, while keeping his glares.
• "verbally abusing the dismissed batter": Even though any usage of verbal abuse can't be concluded in the footage, as Siraj is probably seen yelling "come on" – this point will be a crucial one to look at and re-check.
• "pointing or gesturing towards the pavilion": There is no evidence of this third point being involved.

Besides the mentioned article, there's also article 2.12, which states: "Without limitation, Players will breach this regulation if they deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently walk or run into or shoulder another Player or Umpire. When assessing the seriousness of the breach, the following factors (without limitation) shall be taken into account: (i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the contact was deliberate (i.e. intentional), reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) the force of the contact; (iii) any resulting injury to the person with whom contact was made; and (iv) the person with whom contact was made."

“The game is better with the likes of Mohammed Siraj: it is an emotional game... It was actually Duckett who went towards Mohammed Siraj,” said on air after Siraj's aggressive send-off and shoulder barge.

Regardless of the speculations, the match referee, Richie Richardson, has to give a close look into this matter, to confirm whether Mohammed Siraj's barge to Ben Duckett was done "deliberately, recklessly and/or negligently."

You can't escape the DSP! 🚨

One shot too many & #BenDuckett has to make his way back as #MohammedSiraj provides an early breakthrough!#ENGvIND 👉 3rd TEST, DAY 4 | LIVE NOW on JioHotstar 👉 https://t.co/vo6bbH8PcQ pic.twitter.com/4vO1Elz9eo

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) July 13, 2025

Consequences of the breach:

If found guilty of breaching what's mentioned in 2.5, Siraj will be charged with a Level 1 offence – in other words, a warning, up to two demerit points, and up to 50% of match fees.

Additionally, if the shoulder barge is proved to be deliberate, he could also be charged with a Level 2 offence, the highest sanction for which can include two suspension points, enough for him to miss a Test match.

The World Test Championship was started in 2019 to make Test cricket interesting. The Championship has changed the way Test Cricket is being played. Though England has shown their aggressive brand of cricket, which has taken the world by storm, but failed to win the title.

South Africa are the current winner of the ICC World Test Championship. New Zealand and Australia have won the World Test Championships in the first two editions, while India played the final on both occasions.

Joe Root, the former test captain of England till now has scored the test centuries in the World Test Championship.

Here are the players with the most Test centuries in the World Test Championship.

1. Joe Root | 19

England's Joe Root has the most Test centuries in the World Test Championship. So far, he has scored 19 centuries in 122 innings of 67 matches. Root is also the batsman who has scored the most runs in this tournament, with 5756 runs at an average of 51.85.

His best knock came against India in 2021 when he scored 228 in Chennai to help his side win the game. 

Read Also: Fav four in cricket: Kohli vs Root vs Williamson vs Smith overall stats

2. Steven Smith | 13

Australia's Steve Smith has now scored the most test centuries in the World Test Championship. The Aussie top-order batter has been one of the best test batters of this generation and has scored runs all around the world.

Smith is known for his unorthodox and yet effective batting style, which keeps on annoying the opponent's bowling lineups.

Till now in WTC, Steve Smith has scored 4225 runs at an outstanding average of 50.29, including 13 test centuries.

Read Also | Most Test Runs in Cricket History (Men's)

3. Marnus Labuschagne | 11

Australia's Marnus Labuschagne has scored 11 centuries in his Test career, and all have been scored in the World Test Championship. In 53 matches, he has scored 4225 runs at an average of 48.01 during the Test Championship.

Marnus used to have his test average over 50. However, a recent dip in form, which also led to him being dropped from the test side as well, brought his batting average down. 

Still, he is the batter with the second-most test centuries and third-most runs in WTC history so far. 

4. Kane Williamson | 11

Kane Williamson has batted amazingly in the World Test Championship. He has played only 28 matches so far in this tournament, but has managed to score 11 centuries in his 50 innings. 

Williamson has the best average (61.34) among the batsmen who have scored at least 2000 runs in the World Test Championship. During the Test match versus South Africa, the former Kiwi skipper scored two tons in the same game. 

Williamson, with 33 test centuries, is the batter with third most test centuries among active batters. 

5. Rohit Sharma | 9

Former Indian test captain Rohit Sharma is the only Indian batter included in the 'most Test centuries in the World Test Championship' list.

Before retiring from the format, Rohit played 40 matches during the Test Championship since 2019. In his 69 innings, he has scored 9 centuries and 8 half-centuries with his bat.

With 2716 runs in the World Test Championship in just 40 Tests, Rohit is the highest scorer for India in WTC history so far, with an average is 41.15. Rohit Sharma's all of 9 test tons in WTC came in winning cause for India. 

Also Read: Most Test Hundreds for India since 2021

6. Babar Azam | 8

The former Pakistan skipper has scored 8 centuries during the World Test Championship cycle. Babar Azam is the sixth in the list of batters with most test centuries in WTC history.

In 36 matches, he has also scored 2998 runs at an average of 48.35 during the Test Championship.

The 29-year-old isn’t in the greatest of form currently, but on his day, Babar Azam is a delight to watch.

One of his most memorable knocks came against Australia in Karachi in 2022. Babar scored 196 while chasing a huge total in the 4th inning of the game.

7. Harry Brook | 8

Currently, the ICC No.1 Men's test batter, Harry Brook, comes at number seven on our list of players with most test centuries in the World Test Championship. 

The English youngster has just played 24 test matches during the WTC cycles and has scored 8 centuries so far. 

Apart from Joe Root, he has been the shining armour of the English batting lineup in the last two seasons. Brook, till now, has scored 2234 test runs in WTC at an average of 55.85, with an outstanding strike rate of 83.54, the highest in WTC history. 

Read Also | Top 10 Underrated Cricketers Who Can Surprise You in 2025

8. Dhananjaya de Silva | 8

Sri Lanka's Dhananjaya De Silva might be one of the surprising names on this list.

The Sri Lanka captain has been one of the best batters for his country despite lacking support from the other end, most of the time.

So far, he has scored 8 centuries in 62 innings of 35 matches. Dhananjaya also scored 2509 runs, with an average of 44.80, during the Test Championship. Dhananjaya is also one of the active players with the most test centuries currently. 

9. Travis Head | 8

Travis Head, the swashbuckling left-handed batter, has also scored 8 test tons during the World Test Championship cycle. The Aussie batter is one of the most dangerous middle-order batters in the world at the moment in test cricket. 

Till now, in 51 matches in WTC, Head has scored 3264 runs at an average of 40.80, with a strike-rate of 72.85. Head also scored 15 fifties during the World Test Championship. 

Head's 7 out of 8 test tons during the WTC came in a winning cause for Australia.

Read Also | Every heated moment of IPL 2025 that you missed

10. Usman Khawaja | 8

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has hit 8 centuries during the World Test Championship cycle.

In 42 matches, he has scored 3251 runs at an average of 45.78. The Southpaw batter is a treat to watch when he is in song and has restored his career with some outstanding scores for the current WTC champions.

He was also the second-highest-scoring batsman in the 2021–2023 WTC cycle with 1,621 runs, the highest by an Australian batsman.

Also Read: Most Wickets in Test Cricket

11. Shubman Gill | 8

Before starting his tenure as the captain of the Indian men's test cricket team, Shubman Gill was nowhere on this list of batters with most test hundreds in WTC history. 

Read Also | Every record Shubman Gill broke during the ENG vs IND, 2nd test at Edgbaston

But as he wore the blazer of the Indian team, he was a different beast. In the first two tests as captain, he hit three centuries, which also had a highest score of 269, the highest by any Indian test captain. 

Till now, in 35 tests in WTC, Gill has scored 2494 runs at an average of 42.27, including 8 test tons.