The left-handed batsmen of cricket have always been related with elegance. But, there is certainly something more than that makes a legend. This list is of TEN best modern left-handers to played in the test arena.t. The Australians dominate the list naturally.Amazingly some of these modern batters are even all -time greats of cricket.
10) Gautam Gambhir and Simon Katich
Both of them have been lean determined grafters with an aggression button they can switch anytime. Gambhir has however cemented his place in Indian side whereas Katich always struggled to be a regular part of the great batting line-up. I couldn't have kept one of them out of this list. They share the tenth spot.
Average (both)-45
100s- 10, 9 respectively
9) Michael Hussey
Mr. Cricket had an average of 86 after his debut season, but soon dropped form and lost place. He made several comebacks even as opener. He however never reached the potential he had. A natural grafter, Hussey has been a dependable old horse for the Aussies.
Average- 50
100s- 16
8) 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 Dmith ahs had 2 double centuries and a better statistical record. I rate them equal on caliber at number eighth.
Average-41, 49 resp.
100s- 21, 24 resp.
7) Alastair Cook
The run-machine, Cook has been ominous with the bat with 12 tons coming in last three years. Although a bit stiff in his stance, he made up for that by prolific run scoring in Ashes and certainly, he is the man to watch out for, if you have a interest in records.
Average-48
100s-20
6)Adam Gilchrist
Even if you have got Australian 5 wickets, there comes out a man who can score double centuries at no. 7. Such was the strength of Oz line-up, that a batsman of Gilly's skillset came out at seven. Ideally, someone coming at this postition, has to score quick runs and has no time to built averages. Gilchrist amazingly defied this logic.
Average-47
100s-16
5) Justin Langer
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
100s-23
4) Matthew 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, he had a masculine elegance about him.
Average-50
100s-30
3) Shivanarine Chanderpaul
Wickets fell around him, as he went on to 'carry his bat'. Chanderpaul has been a quiet performer for the battered Windies for years. A unique way of marking the 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
100s-25
2)Brian Lara
A legend. Some call him better than Tendulkar. A unique backlift and a typical Caribbean class. Lara loved record-breaking. He holds the only 400 in the history of test cricket. His innings were not mere runs but crowd-pulling poems. He, for me, is there in the top two best lefties.
Average-52
Hundreds-34
1)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. I rate him the best in this list, ahead of Lara.
Average-56
100s-30
Who missed out: Ganguly, Gayle, Warner, Anwar, Trescothick, Fleming and Jayasuriya. Plus, Mark Taylor is considered good left-handed batter but I haven't seen much of him. The best left-hander to have ever played is Sir Gary Sobers, as per the legends.
10) Gautam Gambhir and Simon Katich
Both of them have been lean determined grafters with an aggression button they can switch anytime. Gambhir has however cemented his place in Indian side whereas Katich always struggled to be a regular part of the great batting line-up. I couldn't have kept one of them out of this list. They share the tenth spot.
Average (both)-45
100s- 10, 9 respectively
9) Michael Hussey
Mr. Cricket had an average of 86 after his debut season, but soon dropped form and lost place. He made several comebacks even as opener. He however never reached the potential he had. A natural grafter, Hussey has been a dependable old horse for the Aussies.Average- 50
100s- 16
8) 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 Dmith ahs had 2 double centuries and a better statistical record. I rate them equal on caliber at number eighth.
Average-41, 49 resp.
100s- 21, 24 resp.
7) Alastair Cook
The run-machine, Cook has been ominous with the bat with 12 tons coming in last three years. Although a bit stiff in his stance, he made up for that by prolific run scoring in Ashes and certainly, he is the man to watch out for, if you have a interest in records.
Average-48
100s-20
6)Adam Gilchrist
Even if you have got Australian 5 wickets, there comes out a man who can score double centuries at no. 7. Such was the strength of Oz line-up, that a batsman of Gilly's skillset came out at seven. Ideally, someone coming at this postition, has to score quick runs and has no time to built averages. Gilchrist amazingly defied this logic.
Average-47
100s-16
5) Justin Langer
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
100s-23
4) Matthew 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, he had a masculine elegance about him.
Average-50
100s-30
3) Shivanarine Chanderpaul
Wickets fell around him, as he went on to 'carry his bat'. Chanderpaul has been a quiet performer for the battered Windies for years. A unique way of marking the 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
100s-25
2)Brian Lara
A legend. Some call him better than Tendulkar. A unique backlift and a typical Caribbean class. Lara loved record-breaking. He holds the only 400 in the history of test cricket. His innings were not mere runs but crowd-pulling poems. He, for me, is there in the top two best lefties.
Average-52
Hundreds-34
1)Kumar Sangakkara
Average-56
100s-30
Who missed out: Ganguly, Gayle, Warner, Anwar, Trescothick, Fleming and Jayasuriya. Plus, Mark Taylor is considered good left-handed batter but I haven't seen much of him. The best left-hander to have ever played is Sir Gary Sobers, as per the legends.
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