Test verdict list

Best Test All-rounders of the 2000s

Jacques Kallis rises above Shaun Pollock, and the edge holds. Shaun Pollock keeps the better bowling average in Test bowling, 24.77 to 32.00. Jacques Kallis's average in Test batting settles it, 58.71 to 32.56.

#PlayerTest BattingTest BowlingCombined

The all-rounder score is the geometric mean of the batting and bowling verdicts, so one discipline cannot carry a weak score in the other.

Transparent by design

How this ranking was calculated

The list is computed from scorecards, not selected by an AI model. Every player is measured against the same qualified peer population, and the rules below determine the order.

From scorecards to a verdict score

Build the eligible peer population using the selected format, time window and qualification bars.
Calculate every batting or bowling factor directly from the matching scorecards.
Convert each factor to a score against qualified peers, respecting whether higher or lower is better.
Apply the published weights. If a factor is unavailable, it earns no points; its weight is not transferred to that player's recorded factors.
Add the weighted factors to produce the verdict score out of 100, then rank from highest to lowest.

Test Batting factors and weights

Compared with 345 batters who played at least 10 innings.

Test Bowling factors and weights

Compared with 149 bowlers who played at least 10 innings and bowled at least 1,500 balls.

Important scoring choices

Contribution: total runs or wickets measure output within the selected period.

Fixed-era weighting: longevity is not scored because a player should not be penalised when only part of their career overlaps the era. Its allocation moves to runs or wickets.

Test average magnitude: overall averages use 85% peer position and 15% raw distance from the best qualified average. For bowlers the ratio is reversed because a lower average is better. Contextual averages remain pure percentiles.

Wicket magnitude: career and long-era wicket volume uses 85% peer position and 15% raw distance from the leading qualified wicket total. This preserves the difference between exceptional totals that sit together at the top of a percentile table. Run volume stays a pure percentile, because career run totals vary far more widely and blending raw magnitude there would penalise a short career of outstanding quality.

All-rounders: a player must clear both qualification bars. The batting and bowling verdicts are combined with a geometric mean, preventing one outstanding discipline from completely carrying a weak one.

Editorial scope: this is a transparent judgement model, not an official record table. It does not insert or promote named players.

Data and query audit

TestBest Test All-rounders of the 2000sTop 10

DeepMidwicket

← All verdict lists