International cricket is certainly not as strong as it once was. There are not as many champion teams roaming the world and the standard of Test cricket, the pinnacle of the game, is slowly declining due to the rise of Twenty20 cricket.
But while bowling superstars are declining, the quality of batting is ever improving.
Team scores are at an all-time high, and with the rise of Twenty20 cricket and innovative batting styles, players are able to rack up big numbers – and fast.
There are five batsmen who are dominating all three formats of the game. These champion players possess the qualities that will see them go down in cricketing folklore.
1. Virat Kohli
India, age 27
A brilliant, enigmatic cricketer who will dominate cricket for the next ten years, Virat combines great composure with exceptional skill. His recent IPL tournament was simply astonishing, and his last tour to Australia proved that Virat performs on the world’s biggest stages.
His one-day and Twenty20 records are wonderful and his Test match record is starting to take serious form.
He still has his best cricket ahead of him, so his idol, Sachin Tendulkar, may be rivalled in terms of overall international runs.
Tests: 42 matches, 3194 runs, 12 centuries, 12 fifties @46.28, highest score of 200
ODI: 171 matches, 7212 runs, 25 centuries, 36 fifties @51.51, highest score of 183
T20I: 43 matches, 1641 runs, 0 centuries, 16 fifties @58.60, highest score of 90*
2. Steven Smith
Australia, age 27
Smith is one of the most unique cricketers in international cricket.
While not technically conventional, Smith simply keeps scoring runs. His last 24 months in particular have seen him rocket to #1 in the ICC Test batting rankings. The skipper of the Australian cricket side scores on all sides of his body and in all conditions.
At 27, Smith is set to go down as one of Australia’s most successful batsmen. Considering he started his career as a leg spinner who batted in the late order, his rise has been astonishing.
Tests: 41 matches, 3852 runs, 14 centuries, 16 fifties @60.18, highest score of 215
ODI: 79 matches, 2346 runs, five centuries, 12 fifties @41.15, highest score of 149
T20I: 30 matches, 431 runs, 0 centuries, two fifties @21.55, highest score of 90
3. AB De Villiers
South Africa, age 32
AB is the most breathtaking cricketer in the world, arguably the greatest ODI player ever, and should be around for at least another five years.
Described as a 360-degree batsman, which means he can hit the ball anywhere against any bowler, AB’s innovation in the short form in particular has been a major driving force in team scoring getting higher and higher.
The Proteas’ Test match captain continues to be the driving force for cricket in South Africa, and his recent IPL pairing with Kohli was brilliant to watch.
Tests: 106 matches, 8074 runs, 21 centuries, 39 fifties @50.46, highest score of 278*
ODI: 206 matches, 8742 runs, 24 centuries, 48 fifties @53.63, highest score of 162*
T20I: 71 matches, 1368 runs, 0 centuries, eight fifties @23.58, highest score of 79*
4. Joe Root
England, age 25
Arguably the most mature batsman in the world, Root hardly gives his wicket away and is graceful in his strokeplay.
His Test record is exceptional, and his limited overs game is getting better. Root’s range of shots and flexibility to bat anywhere in the top six makes him a valuable commodity to the English set-up.
After his brilliant 254 against Pakistan in Manchester last week, Root is making a serious case as the best of all these players. At only 25, it is worrying to think how many runs Root will score by the end of his career.
Tests: 44 matches, 3875 runs, ten centuries, 21 fifties @56.15, highest score of 254
ODI: 73 matches, 2743 runs, eight centuries, 14 fifties @44.96, highest score of 125
T20I: 20 matches, 594 runs, 0 centuries, four fifties @39.60, highest score of 90*
5. Kane Williamson
New Zealand, age 25
The most technically sound and composed batsman in world cricket, the Kiwi star is graceful and possess some of the most technically correct shots we have ever seen.
Will go down as New Zealand’s most successful batsman ever, and is only going to get better as he continues to develop his range of strokemaking.
Williamson’s biggest strength is arguably his mental strength and his ability to bat for long periods of time. He is very much in the mould of Jacques Kallis in terms of his batting style and technique.
At 25, Williamson is going to get better and better, and will continue to lead the Kiwis back into international relevance.
Tests: 48 matches, 4037 runs, 13 centuries, 19 fifties @49.23, highest score of 242*
ODI: 93 matches, 3666 runs, seven centuries, 25 fifties @47.00, highest score of 145*
T20I: 35 matches, 967 runs, 0 centuries, five fifties @34.53, highest score of 72*
These five men represent the modern era and are rivalling some of the greatest international batsmen ever seen.
The future of international cricket rests in the hands of superstars like these.
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