Take A Look At Legendary Test Batsmen That Struggling Against Time

December 25, 2024: The careers of cricket’s greatest batters are often marked by incredible consistency and brilliance, yet as Wisden points out, the passage of time, shifting conditions, and the challenges of maintaining form can sometimes tarnish an otherwise illustrious career. Many of the sport’s most iconic players have faced a decline in their statistics toward the end of their careers, with a common theme emerging: the difficulty of knowing when to retire before their performance dips too far.

The ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia offers a striking example of two of this era’s finest batters, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, both of whom are grappling with their own struggles to maintain the heights they once reached.

The Decline of Virat Kohli and Steve Smith

Kohli, who once averaged an impressive 55 in Tests, has seen his average slip to 47, reflecting a global trend of declining Test averages in recent years. Steve Smith, similarly, has seen his once-mighty average of 65 fall to 56. While both players are still performing at a high level, these numbers reflect the inevitable decline that can affect even the most dominant players in the game. Both Kohli and Smith have continued to notch centuries during the Border-Gavaskar series, showing flashes of their former brilliance, but the whispers of retirement loom large as the years go by. As cricket evolves, the challenge for these great players is to adapt and maintain their influence while avoiding the pitfalls of decline.

The Challenge of Retirement Timing

The experiences of these modern-day legends are not unique. Many cricketing greats have had to face the challenge of a diminishing performance as they age, often leaving fans and critics to wonder if they stayed too long at the top.

Ricky Ponting (Australia): Ricky Ponting’s career is one of the most celebrated in cricket, but it also highlights the difficulty of leaving the game at the right time. Ponting’s career average ended at 51.85, which, while impressive, is considered a letdown by his own high standards. In 2006, after 107 Tests, Ponting’s average was a remarkable 59.99 and stayed above 59 until late 2007. However, from 2009 to 2012, his performance dipped significantly, with a 37.76 average across 41 Tests. His struggles were not confined to Test cricket, as his form in ODIs also declined in his final years. Ponting played his last Test at 37, and while he remained a fierce competitor, his form was no longer the same.

Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka): Mahela Jayawardene’s career is another case in point. He averaged 55 in 2009, but his final 40 Tests saw his average dip below 40, with his last years (2011-2013) averaging around 30. In his final year, however, he did manage to score three centuries, including a double-century. Jayawardene’s late-career struggles showed how even the best players can experience a decline, yet his legacy remains as one of Sri Lanka’s finest.

Alastair Cook (England): Alastair Cook’s career followed a similar pattern. His average peaked at 50 after the 2012 tour of India, but it gradually declined thereafter, with a brief resurgence in 2015. However, in his last ten Tests, Cook only managed one century (in his final match), pushing his career average to just over 45. Cook announced his retirement after the 2018 India series, and his final year saw a marked decline in form, averaging just 18.62 from nine Tests.

Hashim Amla (South Africa): Hashim Amla’s once-sterling career also saw a sharp decline in its final stages. Starting 2015 with an average near 53, Amla’s last two years saw his average drop significantly, finishing his career with an overall average of 46.64. In 2018-19, Amla’s struggles became evident, as he averaged just 26.84 and 27, with no centuries in his final 29 innings. His final Test matches were a sad reflection of the toll time had taken on his batting form.

Viv Richards (West Indies): The legendary Viv Richards, whose dominance in the mid-1970s is still remembered, also faced decline as he aged. Despite a career that saw him average 64 in 1976, his final seasons were less impactful. Diagnosed with pterygium (a condition affecting his eyesight), Richards struggled to maintain his form, finishing his career with an average of 50.23. His last Test century came in 1983, and his career average was affected by a lack of consistency in his final years.

David Warner (Australia): David Warner, once a fiery and consistent opener for Australia, has also seen a noticeable decline in his Test performances since the start of 2021. With an average of 51.34 at the beginning of 2016, Warner’s form dipped to an average of 30.87 in 48 innings from 2021 to 2023. He has only managed two centuries in that period. Warner’s Test career is drawing to a close, and although he remains an iconic figure, his decline in form post-pandemic is a clear indication of how the game’s demands can eventually catch up with players.

The declines in the averages of these players are part of a larger trend in cricket: the overall decrease in Test batting averages. This has been attributed to several factors, including the increased intensity of modern cricket, tougher playing conditions, and the rise of fast bowlers in challenging environments. The art of batting, once a game of patience and long innings, is now being tested by a new generation of bowlers and changing pitch conditions. For many, the “glory days” of Test cricket are now being overshadowed by shorter formats like T20 cricket, where batters are often judged on explosiveness rather than long-term consistency.

One of the most crucial lessons from these players’ careers is the importance of retiring at the right time. The temptation to continue playing, particularly when a player’s passion for the game remains strong, can often lead to a decline in form that can hurt their legacy. The decision to retire is one of the most difficult in any athlete’s career, and knowing when to step away before performance dips too far is vital for preserving a player’s reputation.

As we watch Kohli, Smith, and others navigate their later years in international cricket, their struggles are a reminder that even the greatest batters are not immune to the ravages of time. However, the decline in their careers also highlights the tremendous pressure placed on players to maintain a high level of performance across different formats and varying conditions, as well as the emotional and physical toll it takes to remain at the top.

The careers of these batters—Kohli, Smith, Ponting, Jayawardene, Cook, Amla, Richards, and Warner—showcase the inevitable challenges that come with age and the fierce competition at the highest level. While their careers may not always end on a high note, their legacies are cemented in cricketing history as some of the most talented and consistent players the game has seen. They serve as reminders that while form may decline, their contributions to cricket will be remembered long after they’ve hung up their boots.