Top 10 players with the highest combined strike rate in Tests and ODIs

Glenn Maxwell could well make an entry to this list in the futureThe rising popularity of T20 cricket has pushed the game beyond boundaries, quite literally. With batsman looking to utilize the most out of each ball, monumental totals are being chased down. The trend started with the pinch-hitters in ODI cricket, with the likes of Kaluwitharana, Jayasuriya and Gilchrist starting the brisk flow of runs.Strike rate, hence, became an important criterion for evaluating a batsman in limited overs. There were also those who carried their style in the same vein in Test matches too.Here’s a list of ten players (minimum 100 international matches) with the highest combined strike rate in Tests and ODIs.

#10 Ian Smith (New Zealand)

Ian Smith was one of the first to have a strike rate in excess of 100

The former New Zealand wicketkeeper-batsman had an ODI strike rate close to 100, one of the first few to have the same. His 173 off 136 is the highest Test score by a No.9. During that match, he also became the joint record holder of most runs scored off a single over, scoring 24 off Atul Wassan.

Arriving at the crease with New Zealand reeling at 131-7, his brilliant rearguard action helped the team reach 391.Four years later, he made an unbeaten 113 against England at Auckland. He played his last match for the Black Caps in 1992, a time when pinch hitting was still gaining ground in the sport.

ODIs: 99.43

Tests: 63.17

Total: 162.6