Greatest Test all-rounders

To rate Test all-rounders, a basic index is obtained by multiplying the corresponding batting and bowling ratings. The penalty for playing a low number of matches is less significant.

In addition, other factors corresponding to all-round ability are considered. These include the number of occasions the player has achieved the 100 runs and 5 wickets/innings double.

Since an ideal all-rounder would score 20 runs for every wicket he takes, this is also considered to a lesser extent. Theoretically, the closer the runs/wicket ratio is to 20, the higher the chance that the player is as good a bowler as a batsman. This does away with the anomaly in which a player with a decent record with both bat and ball is rated lower than a player with an exceptional record in one department and a poor record in the other, since the former is clearly the better all-rounder.

Bonuses are awarded for a batting average over 30 and for a bowling average less than 30. 

Penalties are introduced for a batting average less than 25 and for a bowling average over 35.

Only retired players are included in the ratings lists that are sorted by era.

Click here for the Greatest Test all-rounders based on actual figures.