Top 3 Batters with the Most Hundreds in Test while batting at No. 8 or below

There was a time in international cricket when number 8 or 9 batters were not considered proper batsmen, often labeled as "tailenders" due to their poor defensive technique. They usually batted down the order. However, as the game evolved over the years, even lower-order batters began contributing significantly with the bat. We've seen numerous examples in international cricket of these players stepping up when needed. Whether it's Australian captain Pat Cummins standing like a pillar in a do-or-die game against Afghanistan, with half the team back in the pavilion and only Maxwell as the last hope, or India's R. Ashwin, who recently scored a magnificent century in the first match against Bangladesh in Chennai—lower-order batters have proven their worth time and again.

But this isn't the first time a number 8 batter has played a match-winning innings. Many cricketers have dominated the red-ball format, scoring centuries while batting at number 8 or below. Let's look at three players with the most hundreds in Test cricket while batting in these positions:

3. Jason Holder

Jason Holder is considered one of the best all-rounders in the West Indies national cricket team. Over the years, he has contributed significantly to several ICC events and major wins. Apart from being a destructive fast bowler, Holder has been a key player with the bat, especially in the red-ball format. He has represented the Caribbean team in 67 Test matches, scoring 3 hundreds, one of which was a double century.

All of his Test centuries came while batting at numbers 8 and 9. In these positions, he has played 65 innings, scoring 1,762 runs at an average of 33.24, with a best score of 202*.

2. Ravichandran Ashwin

Ravichandran Ashwin has been a crucial player for the Indian team, especially in the red-ball format, where he has taken over 500 wickets in 101 Test matches. He also holds the record for reaching 300 Test wickets in the fewest innings. Besides being a mystery spinner, Ashwin has often come through with the bat, especially when the team needed him most while batting at number 8.

In the first Test between Bangladesh and India, Ashwin showcased his batting prowess by scoring a century in the first innings. This marked his 6th Test hundred. With this ton, Ashwin surpassed Jason Holder’s record for the second-most centuries while batting at number 8 or below in Test cricket.

Of Ashwin’s six Test centuries, four came while batting at number 8, and two at number 6. In 79 innings at numbers 8 and 9, he has scored over 2,300 runs at an average of over 27.

1. Daniel Vettori

Topping the list is former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, with five centuries to his name in Test cricket. Vettori ended his career with 4,531 runs and 362 wickets in Tests. He was one of the rare cricketers to bat in as many as nine different positions in Test cricket—from number 3 to number 11—though he never opened the innings.

At numbers 8 and below, Vettori played 137 innings, scoring 3,502 runs at an average of 30.71, with five centuries and 18 half-centuries. He also hit one century while batting at number 6. His career-best score of 140 came from the number 8 position.