Ranking Australia's batsmen

Australia’s impressive fast bowling stocks were recently ranked on The Roar. There’s no doubting the depth and class in that department.

In stark contrast however, batsmanship in the country is at an all-time low.

Much has been made of Australia’s frail willow-wielders and any hope of returning the urn, will balance precariously on the shoulders of Australia’s top order.

How do you rank Australia’s batting stocks?

These are my top 10.

1. Michael Clarke
There’s absolutely no doubting the Australian captain is the best batsman in Australia.

He has stepped up to become one of the world’s premier batsmen and racked up some very impressive numbers since becoming skipper. Since becoming full-time captain, he has scored 2533 Test runs at an average of 68.45 with nine tons.

His unending hunger for runs will be crucial to keeping England’s attack from running rampant, but support from his team mates will be series defining.

2. Michael Hussey
Australia will dearly miss his experience, but more crucially, his sheer contribution of runs, come the Ashes.

He may now be retired, but his dominance in the recent IPL just goes to show how well he is still batting. He is a true Test champion and a great loss to Australian cricket.

3. Ricky Ponting
The former captain called curtains on his Test career at the WACA last summer and left a gaping hole in Australia’s middle order. Not only did Ponting carry a formidable record and vast experience, but his utter dominance of the Sheffield Shield just goes to show how good he still is.

It wouldn’t be unfair to say the undoing of Ponting’s illustrious Test career was the space between his ears, as his mental state and confidence deteriorated over the final years.

4. David Warner
Warner is a polarising figure that you either love or hate. There’s no doubting he is among the world’s cleanest hitters.

The biggest Test will be the upcoming back-to-back Ashes series.

Warner has a Test average a tad under 40 and the ability to take the game away from opponents with his devastating strike rate of nearly 70.

Warner has been heavily criticised over his patience levels and shot selection. He clearly has the talent to succeed, whether or not he can harness it remains the big question.

5. Chris Rogers
For a time, Rogers was Australian cricket’s forgotten man. A prestigious run-scorer in both Sheffield Shield and English county cricket, it was only a matter of time for Rogers as to when he would earn a recall to the Test side.

That call came when this winter’s Ashes squad was announced. Many felt the call was deserved and I must agree.

When the batting cupboard is so bare, a man who comfortably performs at the highest level of batsmanship must be in the Test side.

6. Phillip Hughes
21 first-class hundreds at just 24 years of age, Hughes was for a time Australia’s next Don Bradman.

After a whirlwind debut in South Africa, Hughes career quickly unwound when dismantled at the hands of Steven Harmison and Andrew Flintoff in the last English Ashes series. He now looks for redemption after a resurgence in county and state cricket.

How Hughes handles the swing, seam and bounce of James Anderson and Stuart Broad may well be a crucial point to not only his personal success, but Australia’s chances of winning the Ashes.

7. Usman Khawaja
The classy left-hander who now calls Queensland home, has for a long time now been painted as the next cab off the rank.

When Khawaja clipped Chris Tremlett for two through square leg on his Test debut, the SCG crowd stood as one to applaud.

It wasn’t hard to see Khawaja was something special and most believed he has a huge future ahead of him.

Nearly three years on and Khawaja has managed to add only five more caps to his tally.

I feel Khawaja has just been unlucky and with an extended run in the Test arena he will quickly find his feet and cement a place as one of Australia’s go to men. There is no better sight in cricket than Khawaja playing the ball off his legs.

8. Shane Watson
Four years ago, Watson stamped his name down as Australia’s Test match opening batsmen with solid returns at the top of the order in the Ashes. He went on to post a solid record against all comers while securing back-to-back Allan Border medals.

However, injury has proven the main obstacle to Watson realising his best and since missing the home series against India in 2011-12, he has not found his best form against the red ball again.

It’s hard to argue against Watson being one of the best white ball cricketers in the world with his handy medium pace bowling and dominant record.

When at the top of his game, he is a dangerous stroke-player with intimidating drives and a vicious pull.

On his bad days he’s a nick, bowled or LBW waiting to happen.

Which Watson will we see in England this time around? And where will he bat?

9. Ed Cowan
Cowan mastered Bellerive Oval’s minefield to showcase his batting talents and earned a Test call up to face India at the end of 2011.

Ever since his debut, Cowan seems to manage to do just enough to avoid being dropped.

His Test record is average at best and he has faced much criticism for failing to turn valuable starts into innings of substance.

Cowan’s solid defensive technique and powerful concentration may just suit English conditions to a tee. If Cowan can step up come the Ashes, he will prove a tough competitor and a constant thorn in England’s side.

10. Brad Haddin
I tossed and turned between the two wicket-keepers in Australia’s squad at the moment. It was Haddin however who I decided was probably the next best in the country.

His experience will be invaluable come the Ashes and his form in the Sheffield Shield last summer demonstrated a renewed hunger for runs that I believe will lead to many tough rear-guard innings from the New South Welshman.

Haddin has three Test tons, not overly impressive on its own, but that means he has the equal second most in the Ashes squad, along with Phil Hughes, that will surely count for something.

Notable omissions: Matthew Wade, Shaun Marsh, Joe Burns, Steve Smith, Alex Doolan, Mark Cosgrove, Jordan Silk and Callum Furguson