Top 10 Teams with most draws in Test Cricket: Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and no justification is needed for the foresaid statement. We have witnessed teams battling out each other to snatch away victory from the jaws of defeat. Still, there are times when the calibres of both the teams get matched and they fight their heart out to avoid defeat.
This gives rise to something called DRAW. A draw is a Test with no result. Historically, the concept of drawn Tests evolved after Test matches were restricted to a period of 6 days and then 5 days respectively in the 18th and 19th century. Prior to this, a Test would go on for undefined time until and unless a winner is decided.
Coming over to the statistical point of view, here is the list of the Top 10 Teams with most draws in Test Cricket:
10. Bangladesh – 15 Draws:
Bangladesh stands to be one of the most promising and emerging cricketing nations in the modern era. In a total of 93 matches, with 7 victories, Bangladesh managed to draw 15 Tests. Also, the climatic constraints in Bangladesh led to quite a few Tests ending with a draw.
9. Zimbabwe – 26 Draws:
The Zimbabweans were considered as one of the emerging strengths in international cricket in the late 90s. Also, their victories over England in 1997 brought a new era in Zimbabwean cricket. They gave tough competition to their opponents and as a result of which, in a total of 97-Test, Zimbabwe managed to draw 26.
8. Sri Lanka – 80 Draws:
In the past two or three decades, Sri Lanka emerged to be one of the prime strengths in international cricket. Since their World Cup triumph in 1996, under the leadership of Arjuna Ranatunga, Sri Lanka strengthened themselves as a stern cricketing nation and gave stiff competition to the best opposition. Also the nature of the dull tracks in Sri Lankan soils often made way for Tests heading into tame draws. They drew 80 out of their 243 Tests.
7. South Africa – 119 Draws:
Ever since Kepler Wessels took over as the captain of the Proteas, they instilled the mentality of going for results in Test matches. The sportive attitude of the Proteas did bring a number of conclusive matches and occasionally, they used to draw a Test. Thus they drew only 119 Tests in a total of 394 Tests.
6. Pakistan – 158 Draws:
The Pakistanis have always opted for results. And the immense strength of the Pakistani bowling line up did conclude Test matches for them on numerous occasions. Thus, from a total of 395 matches, with 126 wins and 111 losses, Pakistan has managed to draw 158 Test matches.
5. New Zealand – 160 Draws:
The Kiwis were simply instrumental in their quality of play for the past few decades. Also, they slowly emerged to be one of the pivotal strengths in the longest format of the game. Under the leadership of Stephen Fleming, the Kiwis did find some amount of stability in the consequences of their matches. After playing 403 matches, they have managed to draw in 160 Tests.
4. West Indies – 170 Draws:
The West Indian team was considered as one of the thunderous Test playing nations a few decades back. However, due to the drastic fall in the quality of the Caribbean bowling, West Indies had to face a number of defeats in the past few years. Though, on quite a few occasions they have managed to save the Tests. And thus, with 170 drawn games in 510 Tests, West Indies occupies the fourth spot.
3. Australia – 205 Draws:
The Australian team have been one of the stern fighters of the game and never readily accepted defeat. In fact, there were times in the past few decades when they somehow managed to save a number of Tests from the jaws of defeat. With that they are poised towards the top with 205 drawn Tests off 782 that they have played.
2. India – 209 Draws:
When a team draws 209 of their 493 Tests, there are two things that can be predicted. One is the mind set to never accept defeat and the second is the defensive attitude towards the game. From time to time, there have been a mix of each of these mentalities in the Indian dressing room. Plus the dry tracks of Indian sub-continent carved the path for Tests ending without a result.
1. England – 340 Draws:
Leading the charts is the England cricket team with a total of 340 drawn Tests in a total of 965 matches with 344 victories. England have been the oldest of the cricket playing nations with gallons of experiences. Also, in the past decade, the defensive mindsets of the English skippers made them to draw a number of Test matches which could have well oriented a result.