The dream of every cricketer is to play Test cricket for their country and then succeed in it. However, although they are great in limited-overs cricket, sometimes, these players may not be able to do well in the longer format. In this article, we take a look at five ODI Superstars who failed in Test cricket.
At the moment, we have three formats of the game. We have seen teams demarcating a clear line between players who will take part in each of the formats. Of course, there are a few cricketers who do well across formats. In the pre-T20 era, there was a rather lighter demarcating line in this aspect.
1) Yuvraj Singh
Test Stats: Matches – 40 || Runs – 1900
Yuvraj Singh is one of the first names that come to our minds when we talk about ODI Superstars who failed in Test cricket. Yuvi was a sensational ODI and T20I cricketer for India. He had a crucial role to play in both the World Cups that India won in this century. However, the southpaw found it difficult in the Test format. He did get a decent amount of opportunities, but the competition was also intense at the same time. Hence, he did not spend a lot of time in the white jersey.
2) Eoin Morgan
Test Stats: Matches – 16 || Runs – 700
Not many know, but Eoin Morgan also played Test cricket at the start. However, he could not do well. Hence, he made the conscious decision of focussing only on limited-overs cricket. In effect, he has become one of the highest run-scorers for England in the format. He also won the 2019 World Cup as a captain.
3) Martin Guptill
Test Stats: Matches – 47 || Runs – 2586
Martin Guptill is a firebrand cricketer when it comes to the T20 and ODI format. In fact, until recently, he was the highest run-getter in T20I cricket. The Kiwi opener also played quite a few Tests in his career. However, he could not get going in the five-day format. Hence, he then shifted completely to the T20 and ODI formats.
4) Lance Klusener
Test Stats: Matches – 49 || Runs – 1906 || Wickets – 80
Compared to what he achieved in ODIs, Lance Klusener was not that great in Tests. He played some games for South Africa but just could not leave the impact that he usually leaves when he dons a coloured jersey. Hence, he is also a part of this list.
5) Andrew Symonds
Test Stats: Matches – 26 || Runs – 1462
Andrew Symonds is also one of the ODI Superstars who failed in Test cricket. The all-rounder was always a threat in the ODI format. His role in the Aussie XI was important as he added terrific balance to it. While on most days he took the role of the big-hitter, Symonds also contributed with wickets whenever needed. In Tests, the right-hander could not replicate the success. He eventually became restricted to the ODI format.
6) Michael Bevan
Test Stats: Matches – 18 || Runs – 785
Michael Bevan is known as one of the best finishers in ODI cricket. In fact, he set an ideal template for finishing games in the ODI format. Of course, MS Dhoni created his own a few years later. In Tests, though, Bevan found it hard to survive. It also had to do with the likes of Adam Gilchrist giving him competition in the lower middle-order.