Greatest of All Time: Test Batsmen
Cricket is a sport that has seen batsmen dominate the game over the years. Some have been so exceptional with their consistency, it sets them apart from the rest. These players scored astonishing runs at remarkable averages. We present to you our list of the greatest test batsmen ever. The criteria of playing a minimum of 50 Test matches has been taken into account.
Sir Donald Bradman
Sir Donald George Bradman, without a shadow of doubt, is cricket's greatest ever batsman. Bradman was so far ahead of his competition, several of his records haven't been broken till date. In 52 matches, Bradman scored 6,996 runs at an average of 99.94. Yes, you read that right. He averages almost 100. He started as a tennis player but gave it up for cricket.
Sunil Gavaskar
India's first batting great, Gavaskar, is one of the greatest openers of all time. Breaching this man's defence was almost an impossible task. Gavaskar was the first cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs and 30 centuries. The Mumbai man has scored 10,122 runs in 125 matches at an average of 51.12 with 34 hundreds to his name.
Sir Vivian Richards
West Indies great, Sir Vivian Richards, certainly makes the list. At a time when most batsmen fell prey to body-line bowling tactics, this man gave the bowlers a cold shiver down the spine. Explosive batting was a trend that was started by this man from Antigua. Richards scored 8,540 runs in 121 matches at an average of 50.23.
Sachin Tendulkar
Arguably the best batsman produced by India, Sachin met the expectations of the masses in India with his impeccable consistency. He was the first batsman to be compared to the legendary Don Bradman. His rivalry with Akhtar and Warne definitely brought out the best from him. Sachin finished with the most runs (15,921) and the most hundreds (51) at an average of 53.78.
Brian Lara
The innings where Lara scored a 400* against England at Antigua in 2004 sums up why the southpaw makes the list. He has even scored 501 not out for Warwickshire against Durham in 1994 Lara is the only batsman to score a century, double ton, triple hundred, quadruple and quintuple century. He has 11,953 runs at an average of 52.88.
Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting is regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. The former Australian captain was well known for his the pull and hook shots. He was also an aggressive player with a winning mentality. He finished his test career with 13,378 runs in 168 matches at an average of 51.85. Ponting also has 41 hundreds to his name.
Steven Smith
Australia captain Steven Smith is the finest test batsman of the current crop. Currently the number 1 ranked test Batsman in the world, Smith started his career as a spinner. He is second on the all-time list along with Len Hutton who has achieved 961 Test ranking points or higher. Smith currently has 5,796 runs in 59 matches at an average of 62.32.
Just missing out on the list
Virat Kohli is one of the best in the world, but he still has a long way to go if he has to match Steve Smith in tests. Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara also narrowly misses out to Ponting. He has 12,400 runs at an average of 57. With 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37 Jacques Kallis also deserves a mention.
