In recent times, the much debated topic in the longest format is that pitches are prepared more in the favour of home teams and in some cases, this was proved correct. Even in tough conditions, the ‘Fab Four’ are scoring runs at a good pace. Let us analyse the batting numbers of these four batsmen in overseas Test matches:
Virat Kohli (India):
- 34 Tests, 60 Innings, 2633 runs, Hundreds: 11, Fifties: 6, Ducks: 4, Batting Average: 45.39, Top Score: 200
Kohli had very less to show in the longest format as an overseas batsman before the Australia tour in December 2014. He scored 4 centuries along with a fifty on that tour which helped him prove himself as one of the best batsmen. Kohli scored just 134 runs in 10 innings at an average of just 13.40 in England in 2014, the only tour he failed to score on!
Steven Smith (Australia):
- 32 Tests, 61 Innings, 2967 runs, Hundreds: 10, Fifties: 13, Ducks: 2, Batting Average: 53.94, Top Score: 215
Words cannot completely describe the great legend of Steven Smith. He is getting closer and closer to Don Bradman in terms of rating points with every Test match.
Smith’s hundred in Pune earlier in 2017 which helped defeat India describes his mental strength. That victory was also a comeback victory for Australia after losing 9 Test matches in a row in Asia till then. The rise of Smith as an Overseas player started in the year 2015 in which he scored 199 in West Indies followed by the scores of 215 & 143 in The Ashes in England.
Kane Williamson (New Zealand):
- 35 Tests, 65 Innings, 2860 runs, Hundreds: 10, Fifties: 12, Ducks: 5, Batting Average: 46.88, Top Score: 192
Kane Williamson can be considered an ‘underdog’ among this Fab Four. His sheer timing and pure class on his shots are helping him reach heights in this format of the game.
New Zealand’s captain scored a century in all countries he played except in South Africa. Williamson’s top score in South Africa is 77 in the 4 Test matches he played there. Williamson had the chance to score a double century overseas but fell agonizingly short by 8 runs against Pakistan in U.A.E.
Joe Root (England):
- 30 Tests, 57 Tests, 2371 runs, Hundreds: 3, Fifties: 20, Ducks: 1, Batting Average: 46.49, Top Score: 182*
Of late, there is too much talk about Joe Root’s conversion rate. He continuously failed to convert his fifty-plus scores into hundreds. His overseas conversion rates also don’t look good, with only 3 hundreds in his 23 fifty-plus scores.
Joe Root scored as many 50+ scores as others in this list but his conversion rate is very less which he needs to work on to help England win games overseas. Root scored at least a half-century in all the Test matches he played in India. Isn’t that a great achievement for a player from outside Asia?
| Player Name | Tests | Innings | Runs | 100s / 50s | Average | Best Score |
| Virat Kohli (Ind) | 34 | 60 | 2,633 | 11 / 6 | 45.39 | 200 |
| Steven Smith (Aus) | 32 | 61 | 2,967 | 10 / 13 | 53.94 | 215 |
| Kane Williamson (NZ) | 35 | 65 | 2,860 | 10 / 12 | 46.88 | 192 |
| Joe Root (Eng) | 30 | 57 | 2,371 | 3 / 20 | 46.49 | 182* |
Overall in Overseas Test matches (till date), Virat Kohli has scored more centuries with a great conversion rate. The best batting average is of Steven Smith’s. Joe Root has made the most 50+ scores with a poor conversion rate though. Kane Williamson continues to perform across all conditions.
