Australian Batsmen Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head Equal 39-Year-Old Record
Key Highlights :
The recently concluded India vs Australia World Test Championship Final saw the top three Australian batsmen – Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head – equal a special 39-year-old record. Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head are currently at number one, two and three, respectively, in the latest ICC Test rankings for batters, released on Wednesday. This is the first time since 1984 that three players from the same side have occupied the top three positions in the ICC Test batting rankings.
In December 1984, West Indies' Gordon Greenidge (810), Clive Lloyd (787) and Larry Gomes (773) achieved the top-3 rankings in ICC Test rankings while playing for West Indies. And now, after 39 years, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith and Travis Head have equaled this record.
Steve Smith and Travis Head were the third and fourth high run-scorers for Australia in WTC 2021-23. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne remained at number one and second position. Khawaja scored 1621 runs in 17 Tests at an average of 64.84 with 6 centuries and 7 half-centuries. Labuschagne scored 1576 runs in 20 matches at an average of 52.53 with 5 centuries and 5 half-centuries.
The two centuries scored by Head and Smith against India in the WTC final proved to be beneficial in improving their ICC rankings. Both batsmen made massive gains in rankings after their recent success in the final.
The ICC rankings are a reflection of the performances of the players and it is an honour for the Australian batsmen to be at the top of the list. Their remarkable performance in the WTC final proves that they are among the best in the world. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Australian batsmen that they have been able to achieve this feat.
