Babar Azam to Mitchell Starc: Most Innings without Fifty-Plus scores in Test Cricket Since 2023

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Test cricket is considered the purest form of the game because the format poses unique challenges for cricketers. The red ball used in this format swings quite a lot as compared to the white ball used in limited-overs.

The red ball swings more, both in the air and off the pitch. As a result, it makes it quite difficult for batters to settle and score consistently. Hence, it is not uncommon to see even the most seasoned cricketers fail to score big in Tests.

Meanwhile, some players have gone long periods without scoring a fifty-plus innings since 2023. Be it top-order batters or lower-order all-rounders, the demands of Test cricket require skill, patience and resilience. Let's take a look at the names below.

1. Mitchell Starc: Mitchell Starc who is best known for his lethal fast bowling has had a prolonged period of struggles with the bat as far as red-ball cricket is concerned. The Australian scored 2093 runs in Tests including 10 fifties and has been an effective lower order batter. However, he hasn't managed to score a fifty-plus score in his last 22 innings since 2023.

2. Alzarri Joseph: West Indies' fast bowler Alzarri Joseph has similarly struggled with the bat in Tests. In his last 18 innings, he hasn't managed to bring up a fifty-plus score since 2023. He always found it tough while taking on top-class Test bowlers. The 27-year-old scored 668 runs in 35 Tests including two fifties.

3. Babar Azam: Even top-order batters like Babar Azam, who is one of the modern greats of the game hasn't quite been able to produce the spark for Pakistan as far as the purest format of the game is concerned. It is hard to believe that a premier batsman hasn't found consistent success in Test cricket in recent times. The former Pakistan captain has gone 17 innings without a fifty-plus score since 2023, which is his career-worst patch in the longest format.

4. James Anderson: Former England fast bowler James Anderson who was primarily known for his extraordinary bowling skills, occasionally played handy knocks for his team. However, like many bowlers, he struggled to make a significant impact with the bat. He scored 1353 runs in Tests including a fifty. He has gone 17 innings without a fifty-plus score since 2023.