10 Most underrated Test batters at the moment

Well, Test cricket in recent times has got very exciting and intense. Thanks to the introduction of WTC, many games are now pressed till Day 5. However, when it comes to its torchbearers, it’s the same white-ball lions (Kohlis, Williamsons, Warners, and Smiths) who bag the maximum eminence and limelight. Perhaps in the backdrop, many unsung heroes barely receive even the modest of a cult than their peers. Despite exerting equally, their fanfare isn’t as extravagant as the heavyweights. Overall both the pundits and the fans of the red-ball do seem to be less fussy about them compared to the top dogs. Hence in this list, let’s check out the 10 most underrated Test batters currently playing 1. Tom Latham Tom Latham. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images) With two double centuries—one each against Sri Lanka (264*) and Bangladesh (252) in Wellington and Christchurch respectively—the southpaw from New Zealand is no mug with the bat as Test opener. Behind the stumps, Latham is a reliable glove man as well. After featuring in 71 Tests, the New Zealander is nearing the 5,000-run mark at a batting average of 41 plus. He has 13 centuries and 25 fifties in red-ball cricket. For some strange reasons, Latham remains an unsung cricketer. As the son of a former all-rounder Rod Latham, the junior Latham comes from a proud cricketing family. His flexibility to bat at any position from one to seven is an added advantage. His ability to understand a particular situation during a session in a Test match and play accordingly separates him from the rest. 2. Usman Khawaja Usman Khawaja. (Photo Source: BCCI) Surely since 2011, Usman Khawaja has been the best man for Australia to curb their red-ball problems. Right from his debut, the batter had replaced injured Ricky Ponting in the home 2011 Ashes. Following that, when Michael Clarke and Chris Rogers had retired, another opportunity was provided to the southpaw. Even recently when Travis Head was away, Khawaja seemed to be the answer for Australia. However, though the 35-year old is not an established entity, he again was perceived to be the senior-most player of the team especially during Smith and Warner’s absence in 2018. Specifically, during that opening, Khawaja had made many valuable contributions including the match-saving hundred against PAK in the UAE. In terms of his records, Khawaja doesn’t even seem to get affected by his multiple omissions and comebacks. From his 45 Test games, a tally of 3125 runs has been aggregated at a commendable average of 43.40. Overall by possessing such impressive numbers, Khawaja appears to be a lot more underrated especially by the Aussie selection panel. 3. Kraigg Brathwaite Kraigg Brathwaite and Shai Hope of the Windies. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images) This gritty cricketer from Barbados has almost been lost in the wilderness. Hardly any cricket enthusiast would remember that the opening batter has made 12 centuries and 28 fifties in Test cricket. The 30-year-old West Indies cricketer has amassed over 5000 runs in 83 Tests. His average is in the high 30s. Brathwaite is someone who made a mark at a very early age. One of the remarkable features about him is that he scores runs in difficult conditions. If he has a double ton (212) against Bangladesh in Kingston, he also has a century (110) against Australia in Perth. If his critics point out that the batter has made 182 against Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, they conveniently overlook Braithwate’s determined innings of 106 versus South Africa at Gqeberha. Besides his test centuries against Australia and South Africa in alien conditions, Braithwate also has made a mark by scoring a century (134) against England in Leeds, and another ton (142*) against Pakistan in Sharjah. It is evident that Braithwate has amassed runs not only in his backyard but around the globe, including in toughest conditions of Perth, Gqeberha, Leeds and Sharjah. Moreover, he also bowls handy off-spin. 4. Peter Handscomb Peter Handscomb. (Photo Source: BCCI) Born in Melbourne, Victoria, Handscomb is a middle order batter who can also perform duties with the gloves behind the stumps. His stance at the crease is often considered unique. The Australian cricketer has 1043 runs in 18 Tests laced with two centuries. It is such a pity that he does not get to play for Australia as often as he deserves. Both his centuries have been scored in Australia, both against Pakistan in Sydney and Brisbane. That said, he has showed composure while playing in sub-continental conditions where he handled the crafty spinners with dexterity. One of the recent examples is his gritty innings of undefeated 72 against India at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium in February 2023. On a previous tour to India in 2017, Handscomb made a similar score (72) versus India in Ranchi. Against Bangladesh, he made 82 in Chattogram. For some strange reasons he gets dropped from the squad. 5. Dean Elgar Dean Elgar. (Photo Source: Getty Images) For SA, Dean Elgar has been functioning since 2012. Especially when the side had become no.1, Elgar used to be a dynamic reserve for any of the frontline batters. However, when skipper Graeme Smith hung his boots, Elgar had become the regular member of the Proteas. At present, if you choose an opening pair, chances are you might miss this southpaw in big time. Especially in today’s age where the likes of Rohit, Tom Latham, David Warner are considered to be the top-grade openers, Elgar isn’t actually that far. From his 72 Test appearances now, Elgar had scored 4582 runs at an average of 39.84. More importantly, barring David Warner, the southpaw equals SL’s Dimuth Karunaratne in terms of most centuries (13) amongst current openers. Overall, especially in tough conditions like England and NZ, Elgar averages close to 40 against the moving ball. In fact even in sub-continental conditions like Bangladesh, the 34-year old averages above 50. Eventually with Elgar now captaining SA, maybe his presence might get splashy than before. 6. Mayank Agarwal Initially, when Mayank Agarwal had unveiled himself in IPL, he was considered to be a dashing white-ball batter. For Test cricket, barely anyone had given him a chance. However, after his long grind in first-class cricket, Mayank started averaging above 40 for Karnataka and then broke it into the national side in 2018.By starting with a stellar 76-run knock at the MCG, Agarwal has never then looked back. Though after a grandiose 2019, Mayank had got demoted, still the 30-year old has never received a long omission. In fact, making the most of what’s been provided, Mayank has in total amassed 6 fifties and 4 centuries. Overall, especially in home conditions, the cricketer is now well-lauded to score big three-digit scores. Right now with an experience of 19 Test matches, Agarwal has assembled 1429 runs at an average of 43.30. But unfortunately, still, somehow the cricketer falls last in India’s current opening pool. 7. Sarfaraz Ahmed Sarfaraz Ahmed. (Photo Source: ASIF HASSAN/AFP via Getty Images) This street smart cricketer from Pakistan is not celebrated enough for his talent and continues to remain an unsung hero. For Pakistan, Ahmed has played 51 Tests in which he has amassed 2992 runs at a batting average of 39. He has 21 half-centuries in Test cricket. His ability to play the ball late gives him advantage in the conditions where the ball spins and grips. He knows when to use his feet to disturb the length of a spinner. He usually comes to bat at #7 and often shifts the momentum of the test match by upping the ante. Good thing about him is that he has amazing game awareness, too. Not many talk about the leadership skills that this cricketer has. Under his leadership, Pakistan lifted the coveted Champions Trophy 2017 while beating India in the finals at The Oval. Sadly, Ahmed often finds himself in and out of the team. He has amassed 6125 runs in international cricket across three formats, including 6 centuries and 35 fifties. 8. Jermaine Blackwood Jermaine Blackwood. (Photo Source: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images) When WI plays Test cricket, most of his vital cogs are termed to be both its current and former skipper. Both Kraigg Brathwaite and Jason Holder are viewed to be the chief pillars of the red-ball team. However, in recent times, Jermaine Blackwood has emerged with distinction and consistency. Post pandemic when cricket had resumed in England, Blackwood had helped WI win the first game of the series. Since then Blackwood also scored a magnificent century against NZ at Hamilton. Even in blazing conditions like UAE, the 30-year old has averaged around 30. Overall, so far from his 43 Test appearances, Blackwood has in total scored 2277 runs at an average of 30.36. In totality, though the cricketer is yet to score a century at home, he seems to be a credible batter in overseas Tests. Possibly a bit more consistency might raise his overall esteem. 9. Mominul Haque Mominul Haque. (Photo Source: Getty Images) After the likes of Shakib, Tamim Iqbal, and Mushfiqur Rahim, there’s no doubt that Mominul Haque has gained utmost prominence. The batter since 2013 has been active and has played a total of 49 Test matches. In fact, not long ago, the southpaw also broke the record for scoring the most Test tons for the Tigers. In fact now leading by example, Mominul has batted fruitfully in sub-continent conditions. In places like SL, the 30-year old averages almost 50 just like his home records. Perhaps even when it comes to scoring against heavyweight teams, Momiul averages collectively close 33 against NZ and Pakistan. Overall, from his 91 innings, the Bangladeshi captain has assembled 3501 runs at an average of 41.18. Hence, maybe once when greats like Shakib and Rahim say goodbye, Mominul might come at the utmost fore. 10. Temba Bavuma Temba Bavuma. (Photo Source: Twitter) As a classic SA batter, Temba Bavuma has a sound batting technique, particularly off the back foot. Even temperament-wise, the short lad looks persistent and unflinching. No matter how good the bowling attack is, Bavuma has amassed runs against many of the game’s elites. Whether it’s about facing the likes of Anderson and Broad from England or the current Australian or NZ pace attack, the 31-year old has efficiently produced runs at a combined average of almost 35. In fact recently when SA had toured Pakistan in 2021, Bavuma averaged close to 54. Comprehensively, from his tally of 47 Test matches, the cricketer has amassed 2318 runs at an average of 34.08. Overall, despite proving out to be a vital bridge in SA’s middle-order, Bavuma looks less eulogized and acknowledged.

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10 Most underrated Test batters at the moment

Many unsung heroes barely receive even the modest of a cult than their peers.

8. Jermaine Blackwood

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