Top 10 Best Test Batsmen in 2016: 2016 was an extraordinary year, graced by some implausible performances which won our hearts in cricket’s oldest format. This year, Test cricket somewhat captured the imagination of the fans and connected to the pulses of the people. And batsmen yet again made merry as they piled up heap of runs.
There were as many as 20 batsmen who averaged 40 or more (Min: 500 runs) in 2016. But if it was only about numbers, then readers could have easily tuned into any website for stats but more than numbers, it’s context that matters. And today, we have selected 10 stand-out batsmen in 2016, on basis of consistency, runs, average, impact and performances away from home.
So, here we present the Top 10 Best Test Batsmen in 2016:
10. Ben Stokes (England)
The aggressive English all-rounder; Ben Stokes set the tone for the year when he pummeled 258 runs off 198 balls in the New-year Test. The knock was a pure demolition of the Proteas attack which included the likes of Morkel, Rabada, Morris and Piedt. Stokes smashed 30 boundaries and 11 maximums. Unfortunately, after a successful African tour, injury marred his participation to only two matches in home summer. Many experts believe that Ben came off age, when he struck a priceless 85 in second innings of Chittagong Test and showed his ability to adapt on spinning tracks. In India as well, the English middle-order batsman made imperative contribution in Rajkot and Visakhapatnam Tests.
The Christchurch-born cricketer amassed 904 runs at 45.20 with 2 centuries and 3 half-centuries. The right-armer also claimed 33 wickets in 2016.
