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In the ever-changing dynamics of Test cricket, the latest term that came into being was England’s attacking style of play, which was referred to as ‘Bazball'. Since then, several test-playing nations have been adding aggressive batters to their rosters and the latest on this list is South Africa.
The Proteas are scheduled to play a two-match Test series against the West Indies starting August 7. Ahead of the series, South Africa’s red ball coach Shukri Conrad confirmed that Tristan Stubbs will be their new number three in Test cricket going forward.
Stubbs is a highly-rated attacking player who has shown his capabilities in white-ball format. The right-handed batter has only represented his nation in one Test, where he batted at number four. Now, he will be seen in a new role and South Africa is keen to give the 23-year-old a long run at number three.
During a press conference, Conrad said (as quoted by ESPNcricinfo):
“Technique is obviously a big factor because you're going to be facing the new ball the bulk of the time. And he's quite an imposing character, a big, strong, strapping boya big, strong, strapping boy, and I quite like that. I like the fact that at the top of the order, there are quite imposing guys; guys that have got a good aura about them and strong body language.”
Tristan Stubbs will be hoping to create an impact in the coming games. As South Africa makes this new move, we look at Test teams that are deploying aggressive players at number three.
#1 England - Ollie Pope
England started their new era of Test cricket in 2022 under the leadership of Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. Since then, England has played an attacking brand of cricket, which was referred to as ‘Bazball'.
In this new approach, one of the batters who’s leading the way is England Test vice-captain Ollie Pope. The 26-year-old has played 46 Test matches for England.
Pope was recently seen in the Test series against the West Indies, which the hosts won 3-0. The right-handed batter played a big part in his team’s success, scoring 239 runs in four innings, including two fifties and one century.
England will be hoping that Ollie Pope will continue his good run at number three in the coming series.
#2 India - Shubman Gill
When the ‘wall’ of Indian cricket, Rahul Dravid, retired from Test Cricket, his legacy was carried forward by Cheteshwar Pujara. The right-handed batter has played 103 Test matches, scoring 7,195 runs, including 19 centuries.
However, often the Indian veteran came under scrutiny for his low strike rate. Pujara has a career strike rate of 44.37 in tests. Team India seems to have moved on from Pujara, as he hasn’t played a Test match since the 2023 ICC Test Championship final against Australia.
Since December 2023, India has played seven Test matches, with Shubman Gill playing at number three. The 24-year-old has scored 526 runs in 13 innings while batting at number three, with two fifties and two centuries to his name.
It’s no doubt that Team India has found their new number three in Test cricket in the form of Shubman Gill.
#3 South Africa - Tristan Stubbs
Tristan Stubbs made his Test debut earlier this year against India. However, the right-handed batter didn’t have an ideal start to his career as he only managed to score four runs in two innings, with South Africa losing the match.
Dean Elgar has retired from Test cricket, meaning Tony de Zorzi will open alongside Aiden Markram, and Tristan Stubbs at number three. This allows captain Temba Bavuma to bat at number four.
Stubbs is known for his attacking style of play and has performed brilliantly across the league in white-ball cricket. The right-handed batter has a decent first-class record, having scored 1,205 runs in 18 matches at an average of 50.20.
The Proteas management will be hoping that Stubbs will do wonders for them in the coming years in red ball cricket.
