Top 10 modern Test left-handers

The left-handed batsmen of cricket have always been related with elegance. But there is certainly something more than that which makes a legend. This list is of 10 best modern left-handers to played in the Test arena. The Australians dominate the list naturally. Interestingly, some of these modern batsmen are also all-time greats of cricket.

10) Gautam Gambhir and Simon Katich

Gutam Gambhir and Simon Katich

Both of them have been lean determined grafters with an aggression button which they can switch on anytime. Where Gambhir has cemented his place in Indian side, Katich always struggled to be a regular part of the great batting line-up. I couldn’t have kept either out of this list. They share the tenth spot.

Averages – Katich – 45.03, Gambhir – 45.26

100s – Katich – 10, Gambhir – 9

9) Michael Hussey

Michael Hussey

Mr. Cricket had an average of 86 after his debut season, but soon dropped form and lost his place in the side. He even made several comebacks as an opener, but never reached the potential he had. A natural grafter, Hussey has been a dependable old horse for the Aussies.

Average – 50.07

100s – 16

8) Andrew Strauss and Graeme Smith

Andrew Strauss and Graeme Smith

Captains of the best Test teams currently, both have been effective openers – good on all sides of the park. Both have had left-arm pacers as their nemesis. Only thing that separates is that Smith has had 2 double centuries and a better statistical record than Strauss. I rate them equal on caliber at number 8.

Averages – Strauss – 41.74, Smith – 49.64

100s – Strauss – 21, Smith – 24

7) Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook

The run-machine, Cook has been ominous with the bat, with 12 tons coming in the last three years. Although a bit stiff in his stance, he made up for that by prolific run scoring in the Ashes and certainly is the man to watch out for, if you have an interest in records.

Average – 48.54

100s – 20

6) Adam Gilchrist

Adam Gilchrist

Even if you got 5 Australian wickets, there came out a man who could score double centuries at No. 7. Such was the strength of the Aussie line-up that a batsman of Gilly’s skill set came out at number seven. Ideally, someone coming at this postition has to score quick runs and has no time to build averages. Gilchrist, amazingly, defied this logic.

Average – 47.60

100s – 17

5) Justin Langer

Justin Langer

This low-profile opener excelled in a time when all around him were stylish legends. A grafter who made huge opening stands with Hayden, he had his own big moments in a long career. I rate him in the top five left-handed modern test batsmen.

Average – 45.27

100s – 23

4) Matthew Hayden

Mathew Hayden

A legend for Australia with a top score of 380, he was a huge wall at the top for the mighty Oz. Demolishing the best of the oppositions, Hayden knew how to anchor the ship too. He didn’t play the upper slogs and had a masculine elegance about him.

Average – 50.73

100s – 30

3) Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Wickets fell around him, as he went on to ‘carry his bat’. Chanderpaul has been quietly performing for the battered Windies for years. He has a unique way of marking his guard. Elegance is not associated with him; people say he has an awkward stance, but the poise and temperament makes this scrawny hard-working man the third in this coveted list.

Average – 50.44

100s – 25

2) Brian Lara

Brian Lara

A legend, some call him better than Tendulkar. A unique backlift and a typical Caribbean class, Lara loved breaking records. He holds the record for the only 400 in the history of Test cricket. His innings was not mere runs but crowd-pulling poems. He, for me, is one of the top two lefties.

Average – 52.88

Hundreds – 34

1) Kumar Sangakkara

Kumar Sangakkara

The anchor of Sri Lankan batting for years, this left-hander has been different from typical Sri Lankan greats in his batting style. By far the most consistent batsmen of the world, Sanga is the most elegant left-handed batter I have seen. His innings are dazzled by cuts and pulls, besides the graceful drives. With still some good years ahead of him, Kumar will retire as a legend and leave a huge void in Test cricket. I rate him the best in this list, ahead of Lara.

Average – 56.73

100s – 30

Who missed out: Ganguly, Gayle, Warner, Anwar, Trescothick, Fleming and Jayasuriya. Plus, Mark Taylor is considered a good left-handed batsman, but I haven’t seen much of him. The best left-hander to have ever played is Sir Gary Sobers, as per the legends.