Jasprit Bumrah and Ajit Agarkar included in Fox Cricket's all-time XI of Worst Tailenders

There is nothing to deny that tailenders can’t score runs like the top-order, middle-order or even lower-order batsmen. There have been very few instances of a tailender making a big score in international cricket. For instance, ex-Australian pacer Jason Gillespie once scored a double century in Tests against Bangladesh. The fact that it is still remembered is because these incidents don’t usually take place every day.

On Thursday, Fox Cricket released a list of all-time XI of Worst Tailenders. The list was published via their official Twitter account and it included prominent names from many countries. The ex-New Zealand pacer Chris Martin was given the role of captaincy. In 104 innings, Martin averaged just 2.36 and he scored just 123 runs.

Next in line were two legendary pacers, the West Indian Courtney Walsh and Australian Glenn McGrath. Both the players were regular no.11 in their side. However, the latter holds a slight edge having scored a Test fifty, unlike Walsh. Former England spinner Monty Panesar was also included in the list at no. 4. The left-arm spinner had a batting average of 4.88 after playing 50 Tests.

A surprise inclusion was that of former India pacer, Ajit Agarkar. The Mumbai player was credited as an all-rounder during his time. He also scored a Test century against England at Lord’s in 2002. His Test average was 16.79 while he averaged 28.75 in all first-class games. Indian fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is the only player from the current generation to be included in the side. Bumrah has played just 14 Test matches and averages 2.90 with the bat.

Two Zimbabwe players also included

Former England pacer Phil Tufnell and ex-Australian fast bowler Bruce Reid were the next two players who made it to the XI. Tufnell averaged 5.10 with the bat while Reid had an average of mere 4.65 in Tests. Another famous England pacer, Devon Malcolm who had an average of 6.05 after batting in 58 Test innings made the cut.

Pommie Mbangwa, who holds the record for having the lowest batting average for anyone with 25 or more Test innings, was included. Mbangwa ended his Test career with an incredible average of 2. His former teammate, Henry Olonga, who had a slightly batting record is also part of this unique XI.

Anyone unlucky to be in this XI?
Anyone lucky to miss out?https://t.co/LdlpJVokaI pic.twitter.com/JC6CLnR8Ok

— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) April 30, 2020