Ranking the top 10 batsmen in the world in Test cricket

Throughout the history of cricket, it has been the batsmen who have been most revered by supporters, whichever format it is. Particularly in recent times, with the influx of T20 cricket, it has been the batsman who have taken the glory, rarely the bowlers.

If you look back over the history of Test cricket, it has always been the batsmen who have been idolised by fans. Sachin Tendulkar took on God-like status in India during his career, while supporters flocked to see Brian Lara when he was playing for the West Indies.

We are in an era of change for cricket though, particularly when it comes to batting. White ball cricket has changed the way the game is played, and in Test cricket, not for the better. It is now very rare that we see technically sound players come into Test cricket, and there are far too many of them who take unnecessary risks, and are prepared to work hard for their runs.

There are still some players capable of playing old-fashioned Test match innings, and it is often these who have had the greatest success. Taking that into mind, here are the top ten batsmen in Test cricket at this moment in time.

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#10 Ross Taylor (New Zealand)

Taylor has been part of the New Zealand side for over ten years

Taylor may be better known for his exploits in the shorter forms of cricket over the last few years, but he is a very accomplished Test match batsman too.

This is probably the most successful era in New Zealand cricket history, and they have brought through some brilliant players, and Taylor is one of those. He made his Test debut back in 2007 and has been a crucial part of this side ever since.

His numbers in the longest format are excellent. In his 85 Tests, he has scored 6,281 runs, at an impressive average of over 47. He has scored 17 Test hundreds, the second most by any New Zealand batsman, with only Kane Williamson scoring more.

His best innings came at Perth in 2015, when he scored a brilliant 290 off just 374 balls. He is 34 now though, so his best days may have passed, but he will still hope to be at the top of the game for at least another two or three years.

#9 Usman Khawaja (Australia)

Khawaja has become an important part of this Australia side

There has been a lot of controversy surrounding the Australian Test side over the last couple of years, and at times, it has got in the way of their cricket. In particular, the sandpaper gate involving David Warner and Steve Smith has led to both being banned for a year and has almost distracted from the quality of some of the batsmen in the side, in particular, Khawaja.

The left-hander made his debut for Australia in 2011, and despite being in and out of the team initially, he has become an important player for the team in recent times and will be vital in the upcoming series against India.

Having failed to make a hundred in his first nine Test matches, Khawaja now has six Test hundreds to his name. He has really nailed down a spot in the side over the last couple of years and will hope to keep it for the foreseeable future.

#8 Jonny Bairstow (England)

Bairstow has been superb since coming back into the England side

Those who saw Bairstow play in his opening spell in the England Test side may be surprised to see him make this list. Having suffered from having a slightly vulnerable technique in his younger days, Bairstow has had to go away and put the work in, but since returning to the side in 2015, he has been superb.

His impressive performances have seen his role change in this England side. He has moved up to bat at five, which shows the importance he has to this team.

His average overall in his Test career isn’t exactly impressive at 37.19, but he is a much better player than that, and it is that low because of his struggles in his first spell in Test cricket.

With Alastair Cook’s retirement, he becomes an even more important player for England, as, behind Joe Root, he is probably the best batsman in that side. He is currently 29, so he should be at the peak of his career.

#7 Dinesh Chandimal (Sri Lanka)

Chandimal captains his side in Test cricket

The last few years have been tough for the Sri Lankan Test side. For so long, they relied on the likes of Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara to pile on the runs, but since their retirement, they have entered a new era, and they have new players who they look for in the big moments.

At the moment, that is Angelo Matthews, and Chandimal, who has put together a terrific Test record over the last few years. The 28-year-old is now the captain of the side, and he has lead the side with the bat as well. In his 48 Test matches, he has scored 3,642 runs, at an impressive average of 44.96.

With a strike rate of 50.11, he has the ability to score runs at a good rate, but he also has the ability to play long innings and negotiate tough spells of bowling. He has proved he has the ability to go big, scoring 11 Test hundreds.

#6 Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Amla has had a stellar career for South Africa

In an era dominated by white ball cricket, and players looking to play their shots from ball one, the old-fashioned batsmen have gone out of style really in recent years. At 35, Amla may be approaching the twilight of his career, and South Africa will greatly miss him when he calls it a day.

He has played 119 Test matches for his country, scoring 9,022 runs at an excellent average of 47.23.

One of his finest talents in his ability to play long innings for his team, and wear down the opposition’s bowling line up. His 311 not out against England in 2012 was the highest score ever by a South African in Test cricket, and the sixth longest innings in Test history, batting for over 13 hours.

He showed his ability to perform overseas in 2010, during the series with India, where he scored hundreds in all three of his innings. This included a superb 253 not out in the first test, and then an eight-hour unbeaten knock in vain in the second Test.

#5 Cheteshwar Pujara (India)

Pujara is the one old-fashioned player in this India side

Pujara is another man who plays the traditional way, and this has often been a problem for him playing for India in Test cricket, as India look to enter a new era of cricket, playing a positive style.

However, he is a vital component of this Indian batting line up, as he is the one who values his wicket above everything else. He may not be the most glamourous batsman in the side, but he gets result, and that can’t be said of all the players in that side.

The 30-year-old’s record represents these talents. In his 63 Tests, he has scored 4895 runs, with a fine average, just short of 50.

He also has an excellent conversion rate from the 50s to 100s. He has passed 50, 34 times in his career, and on 15 occasions he has gone on to a century. Obviously, with the presence of Virat Kohli, he isn’t the biggest name in this team, but he is just as important as his captain.

#4 Steve Smith (Australia)

Smith is currently serving a one-year ban

Sadly, despite all of Smith’s incredible talents, he will always be remembered for the controversies in his career, in particular, ‘Sandpaper Gate’, which saw him banned from cricket for a year, a suspension he is currently serving.

Had it not been for that, he may have been higher up this list, but it will be at least another six months before he is back playing Test cricket. Unlike David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, it seems inevitable he will come straight back into the side when his ban is over.

Smith’s rise to becoming a world class Test batsman is remarkable. He was first selected as a leg-spinner, as someone who bats a bit, but has become one of the top batsmen in the world.

His figures are incredible. He has scored 6199 runs at an incredible average of 61.37. He has scored 23 hundreds in his career, an excellent record, particularly given that he has often batted further down the order.

#3 Joe Root (England)

Root ended his wait for a hundred in the final Test of the summer against India

Root’s career has been a slightly strange one in all honesty. He initially came into the side in 2012 as a middle-order batsman but moved up to open the batting in the 2013 summer.

He was moved down the order for the 2013/14 Ashes to make space for Michael Carberry, and he hasn’t really had a defined role in the side since. His talent has never been doubted though, more his concentration, and how to get the best out of him.

He has had his struggles of late but ended a year-long wait for a Test century in September in the final Test against India at the Oval. In terms of average, his figures are excellent.

Root has scored 6,279 Test runs in his career at an average of 51.04, but the real problem is his conversion rate. On 55 occasions he has passed 50 in Test cricket, he has gone onto make only 14 hundreds.

If he wants to truly be remembered as a great, this is something he will need to work on.

#2 Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Williamson is already one of New Zealand's greatest players

He may only be 28, but Williamson may already be the greatest batsman to play for New Zealand in Test cricket. He may not be the most glamorous player who opens up his arms and hits the ball all around the park with apparent ease, but his technique is flawless, no doubt about it.

He was also given a tough job taking over the excellent Brendan McCullum as captain, and has done a very good job.

He is only fifth on the list of most runs for New Zealand in Test cricket, but has scored his 5338 runs at an excellent average of 50.35, higher than any other player with over 1000 runs for New Zealand.

Williamson has scored more Test hundreds than anyone else for the country though, scoring 18 hundreds in his 65 Tests. He still has a lot of time left, so expect him to vastly improve those numbers before the end of his career.

#1 Virat Kohli (India)

Kohli has been India's standout players for a number of years

The undisputed best batsman in world cricket at the moment. Having initially made his name in the shorter forms of the game, Kohli has bought his A-game to the longest format of cricket and has made himself a genuinely world-class Test batsman.

India have needed someone to step up after the retirements of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, and Kohli has certainly done the job.

The one doubt about Kohli was whether he could do the business in overseas conditions, particularly England. However, he proved that he was capable of performing in swinging conditions, after putting in a sensational performance in England this summer.

His numbers are, unsurprisingly, superb. He has scored 6286 Test runs at an average of 54.66. His conversion rate from the 50s to 100s is unbelievable, as he has scored 24 centuries, only failing to convert a half-century on 19 occasions.

He is already the best, and there is still the chance he could get even better.