Former Australian captain Michael Clarke recently took on the tough task of selecting the best-ever Test No. 4 batter in a ‘This or That’ feature on the Beyond23 Cricker Pod Instagram handle. In the opening round, Clarke had to choose between Steve Smith and Virat Kohli.
After careful consideration, he opted for Smith, who recently surpassed 10,000 Test runs and maintains an impressive average close to 56, with 36 centuries in 121 matches. Kohli, who retired from Tests earlier this year, finished his career with 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries in 123 games.
Clarke continued backing Smith in the next three rounds, defeating Younis Khan, Kevin Pietersen, and Mahela Jayawardene. However, Smith was eventually edged out by South African legend Jacques Kallis, who scored 13,289 runs at an average above 55, with 45 centuries in 166 Tests.
Kallis’s victory was short-lived, as Clarke chose Brian Lara in the subsequent round. Lara, holder of the highest Test score of 400* against England in 2004, concluded his illustrious career with 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88, including 34 centuries and two triple hundreds.
Michael Clarke Chooses Between Lara And Tendulkar For Best No.4 Test Batter
The exercise continued as Michael Clarke faced the choice between Brian Lara and Joe Root in the following round. Despite Root’s impressive tally of 13,723 runs and 40 centuries, Clarke remained loyal to Lara. However, when it came to a showdown between Lara and Sachin Tendulkar, Clarke ultimately chose the Indian legend after careful consideration.
Tendulkar continues to hold the all-time records for the most Test runs and centuries, with 15,921 runs and 51 centuries. Clarke even playfully eliminated himself when compared to Tendulkar, stating, “It is Sachin Tendulkar by a distance.” Clarke himself enjoyed a stellar Test career, amassing 8,643 runs at an average of 49, including 28 centuries in 115 matches.
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