Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has revealed his personal list of the top five batsmen of all-time, drawn from the batsmen he faced during his international career. But I am saying fast bowling cartel Amid the ongoing India-New Zealand white-ball series, Harris on the YouTube channel provided a rare insight into which batsmen really tested him at the peak of his powers.
Ryan Harris reveals his top 5 batsmen of all time
Kevin Pietersen tops this list
Harris chose former England batsman at number one Kevin PietersenA player who was often encountered during the battle of the Ashes. Pietersen scored 13,797 international runs, including 32 centuries, and played a key role in England’s victory at the 2010 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Harris cited Pietersen’s presence at the crease and extraordinary power as the toughest batsman he had ever faced. According to the former fast bowler, even minor errors in length were punished, making each delivery a calculated risk.
“I have always said that ever since I finished playing he (KP) has always been the toughest to bowl to because as you know the pitch or it was he was very big. For a normal batsman your length was about half a volley for him or if he left a fraction less he would just come back and he was very powerful. So bowling to him was always a challenge,” Harris said.
AB de Villiers is in second place
south african legend AB de Villiers Took second place in Harris’s list. One of the most versatile batsmen of the game, de Villiers scored over 20,000 international runs and recorded 47 centuries. He also holds the record for the fastest ODI century, which he scored in just 31 balls. Harris praised de Villiers’ ability to dominate bowlers along with his patience to bat for long periods in Test matches, recalling matches where he could both attack and bowl with equal ease.
“No. 2, AB de Villiers. He was amazing and playing some of the balls that again you think I bowl, do we think is it good and then he just hits it, you know or or you know or and the other thing with that is he is so good we played the Test match in South Africa that I think he faced 250, 300 balls for like 40 runs, so he just “Could bowl. He’s such a good all-rounder that he’s also an incredible fielder.” Added Harris.
Joe Root earned third place
England’s greats of modern times Joe Root Was placed at number three. Root has scored more than 22,000 international runs and is second in Test run total after Sachin Tendulkar with 14,000 runs and 41 Test centuries. Harris highlighted Root’s consistency and adaptability, noting that his repeated encounters in Test cricket were among the most competitive challenges of his career.
“At number three is obviously Joe Root. Root will obviously be one of the greatest batsmen of all time in terms of runs. Another player who I got a lot of good challenges against, he again played a lot of his Test matches against England.” Harris explained.
Also read: IND vs SA: Hashim Amla picks top 3 test batsmen of all time, no place for Virat Kohli
Hashim Amla’s beauty impresses
Former South African opening batsman is at fourth place in this list. Hashim AmlaWho finished his career with 18,672 international runs and 55 centuries. Harris recalled spells where he thought he was bowling well, only to have Amla’s timing and placement demolish the field with ease, underscoring the batsman’s exceptional hand-eye coordination.
“Number four, Hahim Amla. I think he was one of them. I remember playing against him at times and running around thinking I was bowling absolutely fine. And then he hit me there, hit me, hit me everywhere. And you would suddenly realize I was feeling like a bowling machine. His eye was incredible.” Harris continued.
Sachin Tendulkar completed five
Indian icon is at number five in the list Sachin TendulkarLeading run-scorer in both Test and ODI. Harris acknowledged that he had faced Tendulkar towards the end of his career, but insisted that getting the opportunity to bowl to him was a defining experience. He concluded by acknowledging Tendulkar’s unmatched legacy and lasting impact on the game.
“My last one, Sachin Tendulkar. I probably put him at number five because I played him in the last stages of my career. He was probably out. I managed to get him out which probably says a little bit but looking back I think for me it was about getting the opportunity to play against him and obviously played against Rahul Dravid in that series as well but I mean Sachin doesn’t really need any description. He was just one of the best players.” Harris concluded.
Also read: No place for Sachin Tendulkar, Mark Waugh reveals his all-time Test XI
