Top 5 opening batsmen with most runs in Tests

#3 Graeme Smith

Smith was the bulwark of South Africa’s batting lineup during the mid-2000s

Leading South Africa’s Test team by example, Graeme Smith carved out a fierce reputation for himself by not backing away from particularly tough situations. He did not have any choice but to rise to the challenge after being thrown to the deep end at a young age. Given the captaincy at 22, the southpaw grew in stature by showing his prowess at the top of the order.

He had an uncanny ability to play high-impact knocks against demanding bowling attacks. Among those were his 259 at Lord’s 108 at Perth and 234 at Dubai all of which resulted in memorable victories. Smith was dubbed as ‘the bravest man in world cricket’ by the press when he walked out to bat at Sydney with a broken arm.

Overall Career: 9265 runs from 205 innings at an average of 48.25 and strike-rate of 59.67 with 27 centuries and 38 fifties

Runs as an opener: 9030 runs from 196 innings at an average of 49.07 with 27 centuries and 36 fifties