With Australia, New Zealand, India and England all in action recently, the best batmen in the world have had their skills put to the test. The ‘Fab Four’ of Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Virat Kohli and Joe Root, now skippers of the four above countries (in that order), are striving to prove that they’re the worlds best. However, these rankings aren’t based off reputation or potential but recent results.
5) Ross Taylor New Zealand
Taylor has played just 5 Tests in 2017, but has scored 408 runs at an incredible average of 81.60, the highest average of any batsman having played 5 or more Tests this year. Kane Williamson may have already been crowned the greatest ever batsmen to come from New Zealand, but with Williamson going through a mini-slump in form, Taylor has stepped up to lead his country to several Test victories.
4) Dean Elgar South Africa
Elgar has had a breakout year in 2017. His 1097 runs are the third most of any batsman, and he has posted 5 Test centuries this year with a tragic top score of 199. Elgar’s big scores have been essential for a struggling South Africa side that were comprehensively beaten by England but managed to scrape past New Zealand and thrash Bangladesh this year.
3) Cheteshwar Pujara India
Pujara has burst onto the scene as one of the premier batsmen in the world, quite a feat for a player who is widely regarded as only the second best batsman on his own team. Pujara however is currently the leading run scorer in 2017, with 1140 runs at an average of 67.05. He has scored 4 centuries with a top score of 202, and is a major part of India’s continued success at the highest level.
2) Virat Kohli India
Already ranked the best T20I and ODI batsman in the world, Kohli has strived to also become the best Test batsman too. The numbers back his case up, with the Indian skipper averaging 75.64 in 2017. Most importantly, Kohli has been able to convert nearly all of his starts to big scores. He has made six 50+ scores, making 5 centuries from those, with three of those scores becoming double centuries.
1) Steve Smith Australia
Smith has been constantly elevating his play throughout his career, now averaging over 70 in his time as Australian captain. Yet, his Indian counterpart has repeatedly put his position as the best Test batsman under pressure, and he may have fallen down to second if it were not for his latest Ashes double century. Although Kohli (75.64) seems to be outperforming Smith (74.46) in Test averages this year by a little, Smith gets the edge by carrying an Australian team that is often under pressure when he steps out to the crease to a comfortable position when he walks off, making his huge scores even more important. Kohli, on the other hand, doesn’t always feel the pressure upon him due to the depth of the batsmen of India’s top order.
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