Top 4 non-Asian batsmen in Asian conditions in Test Cricket

Test cricket is the ultimate format of the game and every player wishes to do well in this format. It requires not only the right technique but also fair temperament and mental strength. The introduction of the T20 format has made an impact on the patience of the players, which makes it (Test cricket) difficult nut to crack. The challenge in 5-day is altogether different from the limited-overs cricket.

Doing well away from home, in alien conditions is not an easy task either. The performance of Asian teams in SENA countries is often analysed and criticised. However, the performance of non-Asian teams in Asia is not talked about much. Let’s have a look at the record of Non-Asian teams in Asia in this decade in Test cricket.

Most of the teams have an ordinary record. The main reason is the failure of the batting unit of the teams. Only one team – England have a batting average of above 30 while the rest of the teams score less than 30 runs per wicket. Albeit, there have been a few players who tackled the bowling attacks of the Asian teams in these conditions pretty well. In this article, we have featured the top four non-Asian batsmen in the subcontinent among active players.

4. Tom Latham

The opening batsman of New Zealand in the Tests, Tom Latham is the lone opener to feature in this article. Having done well in the domestic Circuit, Tom was rewarded with a place in the national team in the expectance of solving the opening woes of New Zealand in the longest format of the game. After his debut game against India at Wellington in 2014, Latham scored three half-centuries in his series against West Indies. The Blackcaps were scheduled to tour U.A.E. to play Pakistan.

The challenge was bigger, and Latham put up his best effort. He scored 282 runs in the series with a couple of tons and finished as the third-best batsman. The southpaw kept on impressing with good knocks consistently and became a regular opener in the Test side. The 27-year-old has scored 804 runs with an average of over 40 in 20 innings in the subcontinent.

Since his first match in Asia, Latham is the top run-scorer just behind Alastair Cook and has the highest number 50+ scores in the subcontinent, among all the non-Asian openers. His main weapon is the sweep shot which he executes pretty well. Latham made worthy contributions in the success of Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in Asia in recent times. The Christchurch-born who is capable of doing well in all the conditions is probably the best opener currently.