Gambhir, Johnson, Mhatre, McCullum, Dixon (Source: @Carlton46647242, @kaustats, @ICC, @CricCrazyJohns/X.com)
All the big stars of today have plied their trade in under-19 cricket during their early years. The age limit cricket provides an ultimate opportunity for budding stars to showcase their talent both with bat and ball, even in red-ball cricket.
With some great numbers at hand, these players have proved that they were ready at one stage to excel at the senior level; therefore, in this article, we will have a glance at the highest strike rates for a player in a youth Test series.
5. Gautam Gambhir - 331 Runs At A Strike Rate Of 83.16
Current Indian head coach and former Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir was one of the star players for the Indian under-19 side when they faced England under-19 back in the 2000-2001 season.
In three games that Gambhir played, he got the opportunity to bat in five innings and mustered 331 runs at an average of 66.20 while striking handsomely at 83.16, where he scored a century and a half-century in the youth Test under-19 series. Thanks to Gambhir's exploits, India under-19 went on to win the three-match Test youth series, by a margin of 1-0 as they won the first game and drew the other two.
4. Jordan Johnson - 358 Runs At A Strike Rate Of 85.44
West Indian Jordan Johnson toured Sri Lanka for the Under-19 series, having featured for the West Indies U19 side in 2023. In two matches that West Indians played, Johnson got to bat in three innings and put up 358 runs at a very healthy average of 179 while he struck runs at 85.44, where he amassed a half-century and two centuries, but couldn't save his side from the series defeat as Sri Lanka won one of the Tests and drew another. Johnson's scores in this tour read 149, 157*, and 52 respectively as he trashed the opposition left, right, and centre, being the lone warrior for his side.
3. Harry Dixon - 406 Runs At A Strike Rate Of 88.45
Australia's under-19 star Harry Dixon went out for his side to play against England in 2023. In two matches that Australia played in England, Dixon got to bat in four innings and amassed 406 runs at a very handsome average of 101.50 while striking runs at 88.45, where he achieved a landmark score in all four innings with two half-centuries and as many centuries to bolster his reputation.
Interestingly, Dixon achieved his highest strike rate in the final innings of the second Test, where he scored 83 runs off 52 deliveries with 11 boundaries and three maximums, scoring runs at a very healthy strike rate of 159.61 as Australia won the series 1-0 on the back of Dixon's excellent performance with the bat.
2. Brendon McCullum - 455 Runs At A Strike Rate Of 95.58
Now talking about one of the finest ever Test match players in cricketing history, Brendon McCullum was a star man of his own. McCullum, who bowed out of Test cricket with an excellent, quick century, was like this even from his early days. As far back as 2001, when South Africa toured New Zealand for an under-19 Test series, McCullum displayed why he would go on to become one of the finest red-ball batters ever.
In four innings, McCullum battered, mustering 455 runs at an unbelievable average of 151.66, while striking runs at a rate of 95.58, with 3 centuries coming in this series. McCullum's scores in this series read 100, 123, 186, and 468 respectively, as he turned out to be one of the finest batters from the BlackCaps side. Thanks to McCullum's efforts, New Zealand under-19 claimed the three-match series 2-0.
1. Ayush Mhatre - 340 Runs At A Strike Rate Of 103.65
Current Indian under-19 star Ayush Mhatre, who also represents Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Indian Premier League (IPL), emerged as a hero for the Indian under-19 side in the recently concluded under-19 youth Test series against England under-19. In two matches that India played, Mhatre, the opener, batted in all four innings and amassed 340 runs at an average of 85. But the most important thing to look at is his strike rate, which is 103.65.
He blistered runs with an aggressive intent right from the start of his innings. With one half-century and two centuries, the young right-hander has proved his dominance and intent, as he is gearing up to represent the senior side in the upcoming years. Despite his efforts in the series, it ended in a draw, as both sides proved to be highly competitive in both matches.
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