5 most underrated batsmen in world cricket right now

#1 Jonny Bairstow

Bairstow has been sensational since his comeback

Since returning to the England side in 2015, Jonny Bairstow has been in sensational form in both Tests and ODIs. While the likes of Alastair Cook and Joe Root dominate the headlines in Tests and Alex Hales and Jos Buttler do the same in ODIs, the Yorkshire keeper has flown under the radar while putting up impressive numbers.

In 2016, he broke the record for most runs in a calendar year by a wicketkeeper, scoring 1,470 runs at an average of almost 60 with three centuries and eight fifties. He has since established himself as the first-choice keeper for England in Tests and taken his average, which was just 26 when he was dropped from the side in January 2014, to almost 40 now.

Although Buttler is the keeper in ODIs, Bairstow has been knocking the door down with his performances in ODIs as well. Since his comeback, he averages 56 at No.3, 62 at No.5 and a staggering 115 after being promoted to open, including two centuries in six innings in 2017.

From an average of 29 when he made his ODI comeback in June 2016, he now averages 49.60.