Left-handed batsmen have always been glamorous in history of cricket. They entirely have different intentions while playing and even they are much improved with their shot selection. Left handers always gives different perspective to the game. They’re always inspirational when they perform in the match. In fact, left-handed batsmen are appeared to be much tougher than the right-handed ones. They seem really special! We have compiled a list of 10 Best Left-Handed Batsmen in History of Cricket. Scroll down!
10. Adam Gilchrist
Adam Gilchrist is an former Australian cricketer, well known for his left-handed blasting batting. Whenever he stayed on the pitch, became a nightmare for the bowlers. Always performed brilliantly in the game. He has 204* as his best score in Test format and 172 best score in ODI format. He had played many rapid and finest innings in his career, including the one he played in World Cup 2007 Final; 149 off 104 balls. One of the best left-handed batsmen.
9. Sanath Jayasuriya
Sanath Jayasuriya is an former Sri Lankan cricketer, always been the finest player in the team. As a left-handed batsman, he always sought for a better chance to punish the bowlers especially earlier in his era; he played with his own unique and different style. He has 189 runs-score as his top in ODI career, which is still considered one of his best innings played in ODI format and it’s an 11th all-time best score in the world still. 9th of best left-handed batsmen in the world.
Watch video highlights of one of his finest innings:
8. Saeed Anwar
Saeed Anwar is an former Pakistani cricketer, well-known as the most talented opener in Pakistani cricket team, ever. He was an elegant player in the team and performed uniquely with an amazing shot selection he always had. He made 194 as his best-score which was the highest individual score by any batsman in ODI format. Sadly, his career came to an in 2001, when unfortunately his daughter died due to an prolong illness. But he was one of the greatest left-handed batsmen of his time in Pakistani team.
Watch video highlights of his ‘record-making’ innings:
7. Allan Border
Allan Border is an former Australian cricketer, who also captained the national team for many years. He had a lot of experience as a left-handed batsman, played sensibly, not very showy, but mind-blowing always. He scored 11174 runs in Test format and at that time it was the highest career runs-record by any batsman which later surpassed by West Indian cricketer Brian Lara. Border’s batting was considered as more interesting and sensible than his captaincy. His best score in ODI was 127* with 6524 total career runs.
6. Sourav Ganguly
Sourav Ganguly is an former Indian cricketer, well known for his sensible batting which made him really successful in the career. He also became one of the best hitters of the ball and even he was considered as the back-support of the national cricket team. His top score in Test format was 239 and 183 in ODI format. He was provenly one of the best left-handed batsmen of his era.
5. Michael Bevan
Michael Bevan is an former Australian left-handed batsmen, who mainly played in ODI format and definitely he performed excellently. He played sensibly in the ODI matches and he was a match ‘finisher’, with the overall average of 53.58 in ODIs. He scored 6912 runs in his ODI career and his top score was 108*.
4. Neil Harvey
Neil Harvey is an former Australian cricketer, who was an amazing player to watch. He played 79 Test matches for Australia in between 1948 to 1963. He definitely was an elegant left-handed batsman of his era. He scored 6149 runs in his Test career and his top-score was 205.
3. Clive Lloyd
Clive Lloyd is an former West Indian cricketer and also captained the national team in 1974 and 1985. He was quiet an rapid left-handed batsman and also led the team to successful victories for which West Indies became the best Test-playing team in the world at that time. He played 110 Test matches in his career and scored 7515 runs in total, at the average of 46.67.
2. Sir Garfield Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers is an former West Indian cricketer, who was a classy left-handed batsman of his era. Delightfully, his off-side was much strong with bunch of professional strokes. He was an elegant player and the way he smashes the ball powerfully was something interesting to watch and enjoy. He played 98 Test matches and scored 8032 runs with the batting average of 57.78. Not only a batsman, but he also was a great bowler and fielder of his time.
1. Brian Lara
Brian Lara is an former West Indian cricketer, known as a ‘legend of cricket’. He was the one who made the world’s record breaking Four consecutive centuries in just a single Test match innings. Though, he has a 501* top runs score in First-Class cricket. His ability to play on the crease and showing-off incredible shots are always inspirational. He always made the crowd so exhilarated with his batting style of play. He has scored 11953 runs in his entire Test career with the average of 52.88. Winner of our list!
That’s it! You just have seen brilliant left-handed cricketers above who are very much inspirational and would always remain unforgettable. What are your thoughts about them? Share your feedback with us.