Five best batsmen across formats

When it comes to cricket, answering the question, ‘who is the best' is far more complex than in other sports. This question has gotten increasingly difficult as the game has evolved, and you could easily give different answers when it comes to different formats of the game.

Currently, three different players sit atop the respective ICC batting rankings; Steve Smith (Test), Virat Kohli (ODI) and Colin Munro (Twenty20). But, this debate goes way beyond just ICC rankings.

‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’. As ever in sport, player form is bound to fluctuate, however, such is the quality of the world’s best batsmen that we have rarely seen blips in their game.

Countless hours are spent across the globe as cricket fans debate who is the best batsman in world cricket and here is my take on this fascinating debate that will probably never be truly settled.

#5 Hashim Amla (South Africa)

Hashim Amla currently sits in the top 10 of the ICC Batting Rankings in all three formats, but isn't in the top 5 of any. The South African currently averages 49.00 in Test Matches and over 50 in ODIs. Those figures are mightily impressive and outline his consistency at the very top level of the international game.

It is difficult to say which is his best format, such his incredible ability to transfer his skills from the red ball to the white ball game.

Hashim Amla's batting statistics

#4 Kane Williamson (New Zealand)

Kane Williamson is all smiles

Kane Williamson has become the linchpin of the Kiwi batting line-up over the past few years. His form has improved ever since taking on the captaincy from retired Brendon McCullum across all formats and he appears to be thriving under the added responsibility.

Williamson is certainly one of the classiest batsmen to look at, with his sophisticated stroke play quite pleasing on the eye.

In the upcoming series against England on home soil, he will be looking to inflict more dame on the Three Lions on their winter tour Down Under.

Kane Williamson's batting statistics

#3 Joe Root (England)

Joe Root hits the winning runs in the 1st ODI vs Australia

Where do I begin? The moment he entered the England side, there was a sense of expectation. He didn't have it all his own way early on though, and was dropped for the final Test at the SCG on his first Ashes Tour. But, Root came roaring back to become England's talisman in the middle-order.

He replaced Alastair Cook as Test captain in 2017 and got off to a dream start, hitting 190 against South Africa at Lord's on his captaincy debut. Root was swiftly thrust into the pressure cooker environment of an away Ashes series in which his side were comprehensively beaten 4-0 amidst well-documented off-field controversies.

He was criticised for his continued failure to convert fifties into hundreds, but, there are worse things to fall foul of!

Root is one of, if not the most talented player of his generation and can transfer his game seamlessly between formats. His greatest attribute is the ease and consistency with which he accumulates runs. The Yorkshireman is very busy at the crease and keeps the scoreboard ticking.

Joe Root's batting statistics

#2 Steve Smith (Australia)

Smith Steve scored hundred after hundred against England

I'm going to come right out and say it, Steve Smith is the best Test batsman in the world. The Australian captain is a serial run scorer and, at times, looks like an immovable object at the crease.

In the recent Ashes series, he amassed three centuries, one a marvelous 239 at Perth. In the entire series, he failed to pass the 50-run mark just twice, both in the second Test at Adelaide. We all have an off week now and then.

Interestingly, Smith doesn't appear in the top 10 of the ICC batting rankings in both white ball formats. Such is his dominance in the longest format of the game though, that Smith makes it to the second spot on my list.

Steve Smith's batting statistics

That accolade is saved for one man, drum roll please...

#1 Virat Kohli (India)

The world's best

Virat Kohli, Indian captain, superstar of a whole nation, best batsman in the world. I don't know what he does on New Year's Eve, but at the crease, he sure knows how to ring in the new year in style. He ended 2016 with a double-century against England before hitting another double ton in his first innings of 2017 in Hyderabad against Bangladesh.

Fast-forward to the end of the year, and Kohli was at it again, scoring consecutive double-centuries in home Test matches against Sri Lanka. All this just in Test cricket.

Kohli is undoubtedly one of the greatest ever white-ball cricketers. He averages over fifty in all formats, an incredible feat, especially in Twenty20 cricket. Questions can still be asked of his ability in English conditions against the swinging ball, but that fails to detract from his overall ability.

Virat Kohli's batting statistics