The greatest No. 6 Test batsmen of all time

Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting are two of the four Australian players in the ten-man listWe all know the importance of the top 5 batsmen in Test cricket. The guys at the top(1, 2, 3) builds the platform on which the middle order can perform. They blunt the new ball when it is swinging corners.The guys in the middle(4, 5) after a good start make use of the old ball to set up a big total for the team. When the team doesn’t get a good start, they are the ones who shoulder the responsibilities of both seeing out the new ball and then scoring runs of the old ball.But one of the most underrated positions in the batting order is that of the number six batsman. In a scenario when the team has got off to a great start, it is the number six who has to face the reverse swinging ball and then the new ball which becomes due after 80 overs.When there is a dodgy start the number six has to ensure that the team doesn’t suffer a collapse. What is more frustrating for the number 6 batsman is that he might be left stranded while batting as he runs out of partners.Since the beginning of cricket, we have seen some great number six batsmen. Let’s have a look at the top ten greatest number six batsmen of all time.

#10 Hashan Tillakaratne

Tillekaratne was a solid batsman at the No. 6 spot for many years

Hashan Tillakaratne was a key member of the 1996 World Cup winning Sri Lankan team. He possessed immense patience and temperament and was able to put it into good use notching up several good knocks. His best performance, however, came against the West Indies when he scored a double century helping his team register a thumping win.

Tillekaratne played 75 innings at number six and scored 2843 runs at an average of 46.61. He scored seven Test centuries at the number six spot which includes his superb double hundred.

#9 Doug Walters

Walters was one of the best Australian players of his generation

"There will never be another like him," Dennis Lillee said about Doug Walters. "I never saw him throw a bat, never heard him talk badly of anyone. He was so cool."

Walters disliked training and going to bed early, and favoured drinking, smoking, solitaire and cribbage, but that didn’t prevent him from forging an outstanding career in cricket.

One of the best Australian cricketers of his generation, Walters played 74 Tests and scored 5357 runs at an average of 48.26. At number six Walters played 45 innings and scored 1869 runs at an average of 47.92.

#8 Ricky Ponting

Ponting is one of Australia’s best ever batsmen

Though Ricky Ponting’s name at number six might come as a surprise to some, with him being a celebrated number three batsman. But Ponting’s record at number six is pretty good as well. The aggressive Australian batsman dominated bowling attacks for nearly a decade.

He played 45 innings at number six and scored 1989 runs at an average of 49.73. He scored seven centuries at this spot with the highest score of 197. The leader of arguably the best ever Australian team, Ponting looks to be a welcome addition in our list.

#7 Clive Llyod

Clive Llyod could destroy the best of bowling attacks on his day

The captain of the first World Cup winning team in 1975, Clive Llyod was a flamboyant batsman who could destroy any bowling attack with his belligerent batting. His powerful shoulders made full use of the heavy bat to obliterate bowling attacks around the world.

Llyod played 47 innings at number six and scored 2114 runs at an average of 49.16. He was the leader of one of the best sides in the history of the game and his useful contributions in the middle order helped his team on numerous occasions.

#6 VVS Laxman

Laxman’s elegance was appreciated by even the opposition players

The stylish cricketer from Hyderabad could please any cricket viewer with his strokeplay. His leg-side flicks were a joy to watch and when he was on song, as he was on most occasions, one could simply be mesmerised by the elegance of his strokeplay.

VVS Laxman was a typical number six. He had the exceptional ability to bat well with the tail as he proved on many occasions. At number six he played 67 innings and scored 2760 runs at an average of 50.18.

Considering the daunting numbers, it is no surprise to see Laxman make the list of greatest number six batsmen.

#5 AB de Villiers

The array of strokes Ab de Villiers has in his armour is hard to match

The flamboyant right-hander has been the backbone of the South African batting for nearly a decade. A player with a range of strokes that do not even fit in the cricketing book, De Villiers has matched the entertainment factor with consistent performances over the years.

At number six, he has played 50 innings and scored 2394 runs at an average of 52.04. All his five hundreds in the Test format, including a double century, have come at number six. One of the modern day greats, it is an absolute treat to watch De Villiers bat.

#4 Allan Border

Allan Border led Australia’s rise from one of its lowest ebbs

Allan Border took over the captaincy of Australia when it was in all sorts of trouble. Amidst much turmoil, he not just resurrected the squad but took them to the status of World champions in 1987 and then regained the Ashes a couple of years later.

Another fighting cricketer, Border’s zeal to not give away his wicket made him one of best Australian batsman of his generation. At number six he played 63 innings and scored 2556 runs at an average of 52.16 enabling him to make it into the list easily.

#3 Gary Sobers

Gary Sobers is one of cricket’s greatest ever all-rounders

Gary Sobers is arguably the best all-rounder ever to have graced the game. He was a genius who excelled in all aspects of the game as shown by his batting average of 57.78 and bowling average of 34.03 over 93 Tests.

At number six, Sobers played 57 innings and scored 2614 runs at an average of 53.35. Adding to his runs the wickets he picked in his career, he was the complete package for his team.

#2 Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Chanderpaul achievements were overshadowed by the brilliance of Brian Lara

The player with perhaps the crabbiest technique in modern day cricket, Shivnarine Chanderpaul lacked the grace and charm that is usually associated with the left-handers. But what he possessed in abundance was the technique and skill to survive in Test cricket.

The West Indian southpaw’s career was overshadowed by Brian Lara, but he scored heaps of runs throughout his career. At number 6, Chanderpaul played 49 innings and scored 2528 runs at an exceptional average of 64.82.

The run machine from Caribbean makes it to the number 2 spot in our list.

#1 Steve Waugh

Steve Waugh was a true fighter

When you talk about grit and determination, one of the first names that comes to mind is that of Steve Waugh. The former Australian skipper might have lacked the flamboyance, but he had the determination to score runs and could challenge any bowling attack with his fighting spirit.

At number 6, Waugh played 79 innings scoring 3165 runs at an average of 51.05. He was the cornerstone behind the Australian success in the 90’s and he shouldered the lower middle order for a considerable time.

One of Australia’s greatest ever players, Steve Waugh leads the pack of best number 6 batsmen ever.