Players who have played the most innings at each batting position in Test cricket
Test cricket is the ultimate performance benchmark for any player and only the best can survive the challenges and come out with flying colours in the longest format of the game.
The 5-day format demands dedication, patience and immense concentration from the players and someone who has done well in this format is almost certain to find life in the shorter formats of the game a lot easier.
Every player has a role to play in Test cricket and there are some who have dominated a particular position in the line-up like no other.
Let's take a look at the players who have played the most innings at each batting position in Test history.
# Opener - Alastair Cook (England) - 257 innings
Alastair Cook has been a constant figure in the England Test since making his debut against India in 2006 apart from missing the third Test of the series with a stomach illness and has since played 147 times on the trot for the national side in Test cricket.
257 of Cook's 270 Test innings have come as an opener, the most in Test history, and he is the only player to score more than 10000 runs as a Test opener.
He has scored 29 Test centuries as an opener, including his highest score of 294 against India at Edgbaston in 2011 while his other two Test tons have come at the No 3 spot, where interestingly, Cook has a higher batting average of 52.55 when compared to 45.34 as an opener.
There is no doubt though as to where Cook prefers to bat as he has nailed down the England opener slot even after being removed as skipper of the Test side.
