Cricket is increasingly becoming a batsman's game and in the last 10 yrs, batsman have set about making tons of runs, records and achievements. The main reason one can attribute this too is the samness of the pitches available throughout the world. I wouldn't classify them as perfectly placid or batting paradise but highly loaded in favour of batsmen. Keeping Lara & Tendulkar aside, here is my take on the other great batsmen in the world. 1 & 2 are Lara & Tendulkar respectively in ranking. 3. Ricky Ponting - I think the australian captain stands the best chance to eclipse most of the batting records because of the sheer weight of runs that he has been scoring over the past 2-3 yrs. The immensely talented tasmanian could end up making 45 centuries in test and 40 in one dayers and has the potential to be at No.1 position for a long time if he is not there already. 4. Jacques Kallis - The consistency of the burly allrounder is amazing. He may not be the most dominating or attractive batsmen to watch but certainly possesses the best technique along with Dravid in the game. Undoubtedly the best allrounder in the game for last 10 yrs. 5. Rahul Dravid - The Wall of India is certainly amongst top 5/6 batsmen in the world. Possesses wonderful technique, unflappable temprament and has the ability to play well in difficult circumstances. He is attractive too when he wants too and he is certainly one of the icons of Indian batting for many years to come. 6. Mathew Hayden - The burly australian opener who possesses the unique ability to intimidate opposition bowlers consistently. The ability is unique because one normally associates caution with openers but here is one who plays with disdain after he settles down. I think he is a power house,not necessarily blessed with immense talent but certainly immense power, concentration and steely resolve and temprament. 7. Mohammad Yousuf - One of the classiest batsmen going around. Has loads of time when he bats and plays wonderfully attractive shots. Its a spectators delight to see him play and makes batting look very easy. He is very much in the mould of Zaheer Abbas and is in contention for one of the premier batsmen pakistan have ever produced. 8. Inzamam Ul Haque - Well what can u say about the sultan of multan. One of the finest batsmen pakistan has ever produced. Wide range of strokes,unflappable temprament and ability to play match winning knocks out of position of difficulty. Was a difficult choice between Yousuf and Inzamam. Very little to separate them.Dont make the mistake of judging him by the shape of his body or languid walk to the crease.He is a serious player. 9 & 10 would be between Kevin Petersen and Kumar Sangakara. They have the potential to reach higher places i must say. KP can become no.1 batsmen in the test arena also. He has amazing handspeed with the bat, domineering effect over the bowlers and wide array of strokes. Just needs to be a little more selective. English selectors need to leave him the way he is. . Kumar Sangakara , srilankan wicket keeper batsmen would rank no.10. One of the most consistent batsmen in the world.Give him the credit, he does a brilliant job behind the stumps and in front as well. Make more big scores and he could be amongst the top 5 pretty soon. Comeon viewers and writers make your top 10 list too.
