Shane Warne picks and rates the top 10 best batsmen he has ever seen

Former Australia cricketer Shane Warne recently picked his favorite 10 batsmen that he has ever seen or played with. Warne wrote a detailed column in the Herald Sun about the top batsmen who have ever graced the field of cricket. As a parameter of judgment, he kept the legendary former Australian cricket, Don Bradman, at the top of the charts.

Shane Warne noted that the players he has picked up to be in the list are mostly from his playing days. However, among the current lot, two cricketers have managed to feature in the list and have grabbed the 10th spot. They are Steve Smith and Virat Kohli. Warne elucidated that Smith and Kohli are nosing past one another to achieve greatness in the game. He, however, feels Smith has an edge over Kohli in some aspects.

“The Don stands indisputably as the measure by which all batsmen are judged. He is so far ahead of the pack that we have to put him to one side when we run a rule over those who have excelled with blade in hand,” Warne firmly stated.

“Smith and his Indian counterpart Virat Kohli are dueling for a spot in my top 10 bats of the past 40 or so years and both are heading up that ladder with a bullet,” wrote Shane Warne.

Writing further about the men who take the place just below Don Bradman in the list, Warne conceded that iconic cricketers – Brian Lara and Sachin Tendulkar – are his favorites. Also, former West Indies great Viv Richards was a masterclass of superior might. The others who make it to the list are AB de Villiers, Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting.

“The best batsmen since the mid-70s in my opinion is Viv Richards — the Master Blaster is my No.1 followed by fellow West Indian superstar Brian Lara, then the Little Master Sachin Tendulkar along with the graceful and elegant Greg Chappell. Beneath this quartet is a group of more great modern-day players in Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Graham Gooch, Allan Border and AB de Villiers.,” he added further.

On Smith being at the helm

Explaining his point on why he feels Steve Smith is the greatest among the current crop, Shane Warne conceded that Smith has plundered runs in all the tough conditions – be it in England, in India, or at home. He further added that Smith is not a very destructive batsman but can kill an opposition with a thousand cuts.

“Steve Smith has made 200 in England, he’s now got a double ton at the WACA and he’s made big hundreds in India. So in the three toughest environments to perform, he’s done it and hasn’t he done it well, too. Smith is not as destructive as a Vivvy Richards — there hasn’t been anyone who is — he is more of a quiet assassin. It’s death by a thousand cuts,” Shane Warne hailed Steve Smith.

Hole in Kohli’s CV

Explaining further, Warne mentioned that Steve Smith, in his opinion, is the best Test batsman. However, across the three formats, Virat Kohli takes the claim. But, Kohli will have to clear up the hole in the CV that he has. His poor run in England is something that will always put him behind Steve Smith.

“To me Steve Smith is the best Test batsman in the world. Virat Kohli is the best across all three formats of the game, but across five days, Steve Smith is the man. The hole in Kohli’s CV on the Test match stage is in England and the pressure is on the fiery but very likeable Indian to carry over some double-ton magic from home soil to that country when his team tours next year,” quoted Warne.

Kohli easier to bowl to than Smith

On the same note, Shane Warne remarked that Kohli gives away his weakness in the off side corridor. On the contrary, there is no giveaway in the case of Steve Smith.

“I actually think Kohli is easier to bowl to than Smith. With Virat you can plan to bowl around that off stump and he will be tempted to have a little play, but Smith will leave the ball there all day. He’ll make you bowl to him,” Warne explained.

Here are the top 10 batsmen rated by Shane Warne:

1. Don Bradman
2. Brian Lara
3. Sachin Tendulkar
4. Greg Chappell
5. Ricky Ponting
6. Allan Border
7. Jacques Kallis
8. Graham Gooch
9. AB de Villiers
10. Steve Smith, Virat Kohli