Top Ten Cricket batsmen of all time

Batting is one of the most important parts in cricket game. The person who hit the ball with the bat and makes runs for his team is called batsman. Batsman plays the most crucial part in the game. Winning the match mostly depends on them. A little mistake can change the whole game plan. That is why, they get more importance. For their role, they are also much adored.

Here, I have made a list of top ten batsmen of all time in cricket. Players have been selected based on their performances and records. So, many legend players have not been selected in the list despite having good scores and records. So, many of you may argue about this list. In that case, I ask apologize.

Sir Don Bradman:

When we think of the greatest batsmen of all time then the first name that comes to our mind is Sir Donald George Bradman. The Australian legend player deserves to be on top of the list for his contribution to the cricket game.

Don Bradman who is often referred to as “The Don” is generally recognized as the greatest batsman of all time and will remain greatest because of his records that are almost impossible to reach by other batsmen.

In his two decades of cricket career, he has achieved many records that are almost impossible to break. Batting 80 innings in 52 Tests, he has scored 6996 runs at an average of 99.94 which is still highest no one is close to him. If he could score 4 more runs in his last innings then total score would be 7000 runs and most importantly his average would be one hundred. Unfortunately, he got bowled out for a duck.

In his 29 Test centuries, he has hit 12 double centuries. He is the first batsman to have scored triple century twice in Test cricket. After him, only Brian Lara and Virender Sehwag have this achievement.

It is sad for him that he was not born on that time. If he was born on that time then he could earn more fame along with money by playing cricket.

Sachin Tendulkar:

The player who comes after Sir Don Bradman is Sachin Tendulkar. This Indian legend player is considered as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. However, he is known as “Master Blaster” and “Little Master” to his fans around the world. He is called the God of cricket game. He is India’s leading run scorer and century maker in both Test and ODI format of cricket game. With the bat, he has broken almost all the records in both format of cricket game.

He has made his debut in international cricket in 1989 and spanned more than two decades. He has achieved many records in his cricket career. He has appeared in the highest number of ODI and Test matches.

He has 99 centuries in international cricket, including 48 centuries in ODI and 51 in Test cricket. Now, millions of cricket fans are eagerly waiting to celebrate his 100^th international ton. He is also the highest run getter in both ODI and Test cricket. He was the first batsman to score double century in an ODI against South Africa.

With his records, he has surpassed many legends in the game of cricket. He has also got many awards for his contribution to cricket game. Indian government awarded him with the Padma Vibhushan and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.

Brian Lara:

Brian Lara, who is fondly called "The Prince of Port of Spain", is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. For his batting techniques and style, he is called the classic batsman. He is considered as the pure Test batsman for his several long innings.

The Caribbean batting legend is the only player to have scored a hundred, a double century, a triple century, a quadruple century and a quintuple century in first class games over the course of a senior career. His 400 not out against England and unbeaten 501 for Warwickshire against Durham still remain the highest individual score in Test and First class cricket. It is perhaps that these two records will remain unbeatable.

With scoring 28 runs off an over by Robin Peterson of South Africa in 2003, he made the record of scoring most runs in a single over in Test cricket. For his performances, he was awarded the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World awards in 1994 and 1995. He is also the first West Indian batsman to have scored more than 10000 runs in Test cricket. He is one of the three cricketers to receive the prestigious BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year.

Ricky Ponting:

Ricky Ponting has all the quality to be included in the list of Greatest Batsman of all time. He is the most successful captain in the history of Australian cricket. With 48 victories out of 77 Tests between 2004 and 31 December 2010, he has become the most successful captain of all time.

Under his guidance, Australia was one of the most powerful cricket teams. He and his team mates ruled the cricket world for a decade.

The specialist right-handed batsman is also the leading run scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He has scored 39 centuries in Test and 30 centuries in ODI. According to the number of Test centuries, he is just behind Sachin Indian Tendulkar (51), and South African Jacques Kallis (40). In ODI, he is the second highest run scorer after Sachin Tendulkar.

Ricky Ponting is the highest run scorer in Australian cricket team. He is considered as one of Australia’s finest cricketers in the modern era.

Viv Richards:

Viv Richards, who is better known by his nick name as Viv or King Viv, is one of the giant West Indian cricketers. This former West Indian cricketer is well-known for his style and elegance on and off the field. He is also compared with Smokin' Joe, an Olympic and Undisputed World Heavyweight boxing champion, across the world.

He got huge popularity for his aggressive style, but he had the complete control of his batting. Whenever cricket fans think of him, they can see him batting on the crease without helmet.

He is the most successful captain in the history of West Indies cricket. Under his leadership, the Caribbean won two world cups. He led the West Indies team in 50 Tests and didn’t have to loss a test series.

He is considered as one of the greatest attacking batsmen in cricket history. He holds the record for the fastest Test century against England. He scored century from just 56 balls.

Wisden magazine selected him as the greatest ODI batsman of all time, and the third greatest Test batsman of all time, after Sir Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar. In 2000, he was voted one of the five Cricketers of the Century.

Garfield Sobers:

The former West Indian player is undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket. He was blessed with versatile geniuses. He is effective in both batting and bowling. That is why, he is considered as one of the greatest ever all-rounders in cricket. Since making his debut in 1954 against England, he has spanned two decades and made many records.

Garfield Sobers was the first player to hit six sixes in a single over in first-class cricket. With scoring 365 not out, he became the highest individual scorer in Test cricket until it was broken by his own native Brian Lara.

In 93 Tests, he has scored 8032 runs at an average of 57.78, including 26 centuries and 30 fifties. Playing equal amount of Test matches, he took 235 at an economy rate of 2.22. He played only one ODI where he could not score any single run and took only one wicket.

In 1975, Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom rewarded him as the “Knight”.

Wally Hammond:

If we look at his batting average then we can easily understand that this former English player is worthy of being included in this list. Wally Hammond is a very excellent cricketer and is said to be the greatest ever batsman of all time. He is also the best batsman ever in England team. In 85 Tests, he has played 7249 runs at an average of 58.45. He has outstanding first-class cricket record with scoring 50551 runs and 167 centuries.

This legend player made a record of seven double centuries which was later broken by Bradman and Brian Lara. Scoring 336 not out, he became the highest individual run scorer in Test which was later overtaken by Len Hutton in 1938.

Allan Border:

Allan Border is the highly acclaimed Australian player. For his success as a captain, he is also considered as one of several ideal ever captain for Australia. He captained Australia in 93 matches. Under his captaincy, Australia won heir very first world cup championship in 1987. He became the first player to score 10000 runs in Test cricket. He held the record for the most Test runs scorer in Australia which was surpassed by fellow Australian Ricky Ponting. His record of playing 156 Tests was surpassed by another fellow Australian Steve Waugh. However, no other batsman even today could break his record of most consecutive appearances in Test matches-153 matches.

In 156 Tests, he has scored 11174 runs at an average of 50.56, including 27 centuries and 63 fifties. His performance in ODI is not bad at all. Playing 273 ODIs, he has scored 6524 runs at an average of 30.62 with 3 hundreds and 39 fifties.

Considering his performance in both Test and ODI, it can be said that the Australian legend is one of the greatest batsmen of all time in cricket.

Sunil Gavaskar:

There is no need to give any explanation about this batting legend. Cricket fans, especially Indian cricket fans, should have heard this name. Sunil Gavaskar is well-known as one of the greatest opening batsmen in the history of cricket. He held the record for the most Test runs and most Test centuries during his career.

In his less than two decades of cricket career, he scored 34 centuries in Test cricket and scored 10122 at an average of 51.12. His record was broken by his Indian fellow Sachin Tendulkar in December 2005.

He will be remembered and admired for his technique against fast bowling. He played very important role in the development of Indian cricket. He played at a time when India was not a strong team like today.

Sir Jack Hobbs:

Former English cricketer, Sir Jack Hobbs, has eye catching performance to make his place in the list of top ten greatest batsmen. Giving nicknamed "The Master", he was the most prolific batsman in cricket. He is generally known as one of the greatest-ever opening batsman in cricket. He still retains the record of scoring the most runs in first-class cricket. In 834 first-class matches, he scored 61760.

Playing 61 matches, he scored 5410 at an average of 56.94 with 15 centuries and 28 half-centuries.