Test Players Who Failed to Excel in ODIs

 

1. Cheteshwar Pujara

Cheteshwar Pujara is a prominent name in Indian Test Cricket. The name was first heard when the young boy from Saurashtra scored a triple century at the under-14 level. He later scored a double hundred against England at the under-19 level. He made his test debut against Australia in 2010. Pujara was lbw for just 4 runs in the first innings but went on to become the fifth Indian to score a 4th innings half-century on debut when he scored 72 runs off 89 deliveries. Pujara was known for his sedative long innings in test matches. The technique lacked the beauty of Sachin or Dravid but was very effective even against mighty opponents in overseas conditions. From 103 test matches, he has scored 7195 r4ns at an average of 43.61. He has scored 19 centuries and 3 double hundreds.

But Pujara was never preferred for the ODI format. He has played just 5 ODIs and scored just 51 runs with 27 being the highest score. Pujara was always destined for the longer format of the game.

 2. VVS Laxman

VVS Laxman was the the mainstay of Indian middle order in test matches during the early 2000s. He was known for his elegant stroke play. The wristy shots often resembled the likes of Gundappa Vishwanath. Australia was his favorite opponent. He scored at an average of 44.14 in Australia. His average was 47 in the West Indies. He scored an average of above 50 on Indian soil. His 281 against Australia at Eden Gardens in Kolkata against Australia is one of the finest innings in Test cricket. Laxman scored 8781 runs at an average of 45.97.

But Laxman failed to create the same buzz in ODI cricket. Even though he played 86 ODI matches, he never got to play a World Cup match. He scored 2338 runs at an average of just 30.76 with a highest score of 131.

 

3. Mark Butcher

The English batsman made his test debut in the 1997 Ashes test series. He went on to play 71 test matches and scored 4,288 runs at an average of 34.58. He scored 8 centuries and 23 half-centuries with a top score of 173*. But with the rise of Marcus Trescotick, Mark Butcher lost his place in the team But Mark Butcher never got a chance to represent England in ODI format.

4. Justin Langer

Justin Langer made a formidable opening pair with Mathew Hayden in tests. Justin Langer scored 7,696 runs at an average of 45.27 from 105 tests. But despite his achievements in test matches he got to play just 8 ODI matches for Australia.

In his 100th test, Langer was hit by a bouncer off Makhaya Ntini and was rushed to hospital for scans. But despite being advised not to play in the match, he returned and was adamant to take the field, if needed. But fortunately, Bret Lee scored the winning runs and Langer was not needed to bat.

5. Thilan Samaraweera

 Thilan Samaraweera started off his career as an off-spinner who could bat. But he went on to become a prominent Test batsman for Srilanka. He played 81 tests for Srilanka and scored 5,462 runs at an average of 48.76. In the test, he scored 14 centuries and 30 half-centuries, with a top score of 231. But he was not a regular face in the ODI setup. He played 53 ODIs but averaged below 28. He was wounded by bullet firing by terrorists on the way to Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

6. Dean Elgar

Interestingly, Dean Elgar made his ODI debut before his Test debut. Dean Elgar made his ODI debut against England in August 2012. In the same year, he made his Test debut against Australia in November. Dean Elgar was also appointed as South African captain, after the retirement of Quinton De Kock. Dean Elgar had his problems against spin in the initial days. He is currently part of the South African test team. He has so far scored 5,146 runs from 84 tests at an average of 37.28, which includes 13 centuries and 23 half-centuries. Elgar played in just 8 ODIs and scored 104 runs at a mediocre average of 17.33.

 

7. Yasir Shah

 The leg spinner from Pakistan holds the record for fastest to reach 200 test wickets. Even though he made his ODI debut in 2011, he had to wait till 2014, to make his test debut. The doors to the test arena opened up for him when Saeed Ajmal was banned due to his illegal action. From 48 test matches, he took 244wickets. But in 25 ODI matches, he has just 24 wickets, and that too at a non-viable average of 47.91.

8. Nathan Lyon

For someone who has featured in 123 tests for Australia, 29 ODIs seems to be a mediocre record. Nathan Lyon has been a regular face in the Australian test bowling attack, since the retirement of Shane Warne. From 123 Test matches, he picked up 501 test wickets at an average of 30.8. In ODIs, he picked up 29 wickets in as many matches at an average of 46.