Top 10 Greatest Left Handed Batsmen of All Time in Cricket History

We have seen quite a few of cricket’s greatest left handed batsmen throughout its history, but the very best of them are included on this list that we have produced.

In the sport of cricket, having a player who bats left-handed is seen as a distinct advantage. This is due to the fact that those who are left-handed have a distinct edge. 

In spite of the fact that researchers in Australia have refuted claims that left-handed players, particularly batters, have an inherent advantage, batting statistics demonstrate that left-handers have a distinct edge when it comes to cricket.

Greatest Left-Handed Batsmen | All-Time Ranking | ICC Legends

Left-handed batters often score more runs and bat for longer periods of time. In addition, the bowlers may not always have the expertise necessary to easily cope with a player who adopts a different stance. As a result of the bowlers being caught off guard, a greater number of runs are scored beyond the boundaries. Additionally, they have a propensity to only lose their wickets if they are slogged out. In this article, we will take a look at the top 10 best left-handed batsman in the history of cricket.

10. Saeed Anwar

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	55	91	4052	188*	45.52	55.77	11	25	535	14
ODIs	247	244	8824	194	39.21	80.67	20	43	938	97

In addition to his time spent with the Pakistani national cricket team, left-handed batsman Saeed Anwar of Pakistan played for a variety of teams, including the Agriculture Development Bank of Pakistan, Karachi, Lahore, and United Bank Limited. Anwar is now retired from professional cricket.

He played a total of 55 international test matches over the course of his career, scoring a total of 4,052 runs over the course of 91 innings. His top score in a test match over the course of his career was 188. In the international test cricket competition, he led his side to 11 centuries, 25 half-centuries, and two not-out innings. He also played two not-out innings.

During his active cricketing career, Saeed Anwar scored a total of 8824 runs in 247 one-day international matches. The score of 194 was his career high in one-day internationals.

In our ranking of the best left-handed batsman in the history of cricket, we have him pegged at number nine, and there is no question about it. He completed 20 centuries and 43 half-centuries throughout his career. In One-Day International cricket, he also played 19 not-out innings for the Pakistani squad.

9. A. Hayden, Matthew

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	103	184	8625	380	50.73	60.10	30	29	1049	82
ODIs	161	155	6133	181*	43.80	78.96	10	36	636	87
T20Is	9	9	308	73*	51.33	143.92	0	4	37	13

In addition to his time spent with the Australian national cricket team, Matthew Hayden, a retired left-handed batsman from Australia, competed for a number of different teams throughout his career, including the Brisbane Heat, the Chennai Super Kings, the Hampshire, and the Northamptonshire.

He played a total of 103 international test matches over the course of his career, scoring a total of 8625 runs over the course of 184 innings. His top score in a test match over the course of his career was 380. He completed 30 centuries and 29 half-centuries throughout his lifetime. In addition, Hayden played 14 innings for his side in which they were not out during an international test match.

During the course of his active cricketing career, Matthew Hayden amassed a total of 6133 runs in the course of 161 one-day international matches, with his highest-ever ODI score coming in at 181*. And he comes in at number ten on our ranking of the best left-handed batsman in the annals of cricket’s long and illustrious history.

In limited-overs international cricket, he led the Australian side in runs scored with 10 centuries, 36 half-centuries, and 15 not-out innings. He also had a total of 36 half-centuries.

8. Allan Border

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	156	265	11174	205	50.56	NA	27	63	1161	28
ODIs	273	252	6524	127*	30.62	71.42	3	39	500	43

In addition to his time spent with the Australian national cricket team, the legendary left-handed batsman Allan Border played for a number of different clubs, including Essex, Gloucestershire, New South Wales, and Queensland. He also represented Australia in an international cricket competitions.

He participated in a total of 156 international test matches over the course of his career, scoring a total of 11174 runs over the course of 265 innings. 

His top score in a test match over the course of his career was 205. In international test cricket, he led his side to 27 centuries, 63 half-centuries, and 44 not-out innings. In addition, he scored 63 half-centuries.

In addition to that, he is considered to be one of the best cricket captains in the history of the game. During his active cricketing career, Allan Border played in a total of 273 one-day internationals (ODIs) and amassed a total of 6524 runs, with a career-high ODI score of 127 not out.

He is well deserving of the number eight spot on our list of the best left-handed batsman to play the game of cricket. In limited-overs international cricket, he was a member of the Australian side and scored three centuries, 39 half-centuries, and played 39 innings in which he was not out.

7. The actor Clive Lloyd

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	6s
Tests	110	175	7515	242*	46.67	NA	19	39	70
ODIs	87	69	1977	102	39.54	81.22	1	11	NA

Clive Lloyd, a legendary left-handed batsman who played for the West Indian national cricket team, also competed for various other teams, including British Guiana, Guyana, and Lancashire, in addition to representing the West Indian national cricket team. 1971 was the year that Lloyd was recognised as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year.

He amassed a total of 7,515 runs over the course of 175 innings throughout 110 international test matches, and he achieved the highest score of his career in a test match with a 242*. 

In the game of Test Cricket, he scored 19 hundred and 39 half-centuries. In addition, Lloyd played 14 innings for his side in international test cricket in which they were not out.

During the course of his active cricketing career, Clive Lloyd amassed a total of 1977 runs in 87 One-Day International matches. 

He achieved the highest score of his career in an ODI with 102. In addition to this, he is ranked sixth overall on our list of the top 10 best left-handed batsmen in the history of cricket.

In one-day international cricket, he scored a century and 11 half-centuries. In addition to that, he participated in 19 not-out innings for West Indian teams in international limited-overs cricket.

6. Sanath Jayasuriya

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	110	188	6973	340	40.07	NA	14	31	910	59
ODIs	445	433	13430	189	32.36	91.20	28	68	1500	270
T20Is	31	30	629	88	23.29	129.15	0	4	76	23

Sanath Jayasuriya, a retired left-handed batsman from Sri Lanka, has the record for one of the most career sixes in One-Day International cricket. In addition to playing for the Sri Lankan national cricket team, he was a member of the Colombo Cricket Club, the Dolphins, the Marylebone Cricket Club, the Mumbai Indians, the Ruhuna, and the Somerset teams. He also made an appearance for Somerset.

During the course of his career, Jayasuriya participated in a total of 110 international test matches. In those matches, he batted a total of 188 innings and amassed a total of 6973 runs, with a top test match score of 340. He completed 14 centuries and 31 half-centuries throughout his career.

In addition, Jayasuriya played 14 innings in which his side did not lose a wicket in international test cricket. During his time as an active cricketer, Sanath Jayasuriya played in a total of 445 one-day international matches and scored a combined total of 13,430 runs.

He finished with the highest score of his career in one-day internationals (189), and we ranked him eighth on our list of the top 10 greatest left-handed batsman in cricket history. He completed 28 centuries and 68 half-centuries throughout his career. Additionally, in One-Day International cricket, Jayasuriya played 18 not-out innings for the Sri Lankan squad.

5. Kumar Sangakkara

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	134	233	12400	319	57.40	54.19	38	52	1491	51
ODIs	404	380	14234	169	41.98	78.86	25	93	1385	88
T20Is	56	53	1382	78	31.40	119.55	0	8	139	20

Kumar Sangakkara, a former wicketkeeper and batsman for Sri Lanka, is generally regarded around the globe as one of the most accomplished cricketers to come from the island country. In addition to competing for Sri Lanka in international matches, he was a member of a number of other teams throughout his active career.

Domestic Twenty20 competitions saw him play for a variety of teams, including Kings XI Punjab, Deccan Chargers, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jamaica Tallawahs, Dhaka Dynamites, Quetta Gladiators, Karachi Kings, and Multan Sultans, among others.

In addition to that, he was a county cricket player for Surrey. During the course of his active test career, he played in 134 test matches and scored 12,400 runs. In the test circuit, he scored a total of 38 centuries and 58 half-centuries.

In his active One-Day International (ODI) career, Sangakkara amassed a total of 14235 runs while playing in 404 matches. He achieved the top One-Day International score of his career with 169. Due to his remarkable statistics, we have him ranked fifth on our list of the finest left-handed batsman in cricket. In one-day internationals, he scored 25 centuries and 93 half-centuries.

4. Adam Gilchrist

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	96	137	5570	204*	47.60	81.95	17	26	677	100
ODIs	287	279	9619	172	35.89	96.94	16	55	1162	149
T20Is	13	13	272	48	22.66	141.66	0	0	27	13

Adam Gilchrist, an Australian cricketer who batted left-handed and retired after a career, is generally acknowledged as the game’s best wicketkeeper-batsman of all time. 

In addition to his participation with the Australian national cricket team, he was a member of a number of other teams, including the Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Middlesex, New South Wales, and Western Australia.

He amassed a grand total of 5570 runs during the course of 137 innings played over 96 international test matches. In addition, Gilchrist achieved the highest test match score of his career with 204. In international test cricket, he has 17 centuries, 26 half-centuries, and 20 not-out innings for his country. In addition, he played 20 not-out innings.

In addition, Adam Gilchrist finished his active career with a total of 9619 runs scored throughout 287 One-Day International appearances. His score of 172 in the one-day international was a career-high for him. Gilchrist has worked his way up to the fourth spot on our list of the top left-handed batsman in cricket because of his incredible record.

In one-day internationals, he scored 16 centuries and 55 half-centuries. Additionally, throughout his time with the Australian squad in limited-overs international cricket, he played 11 innings in which he was not out.

3. Sourav Ganguly – Greatest Left Handed Batsmen

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	113	188	7212	239	42.17	51.25	16	35	900	57
ODIs	311	300	11363	183	41.02	73.70	22	72	1122	190
T20s	77	73	1726	91	25.01	107.00	0	8	184	51

Sourav Ganguly, an Indian batsman who has since retired, is widely regarded as one of the most successful leaders in the history of cricket.

 In addition to his participation with the Indian national cricket team, he was a player for a number of different teams, including Bengal, Northamptonshire, Marylebone Cricket Club, Lancashire, Northamptonshire, and Pune Warriors. He also made an appearance with the Indian cricket team.

Over the course of 113 international test matches and 188 innings, he amassed a total of 7212 runs scored. The 239 that Ganguly scored in the test match was a career-high for him. In international test cricket, he led his side to 16 centuries, 35 half-centuries, and 17 not-out innings. He also had a total of 35 not-out innings.

During the course of his active cricketing career, Sourav Ganguly amassed a total of 11363 runs in 311 One-Day International matches. His score of 183 in the one-day international was a career-high for him.

Due to the incredible batting records he has accumulated, we have decided to rank him in the second spot on our list of the best left-handed batters in cricket. He scored 22 hundred in ODIs and 72 half-centuries during his career. In addition to that, during his time with the India national squad in limited-overs international cricket, he played 23 innings in which he was not out.

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2. The Honorable Sir Garry Sobers

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	93	160	8032	365*	57.78	NA	26	30	NA	NA
ODIs	1	1	0	0	0.00	0.00	0	0	0	0

In addition to his participation with the West Indian national cricket team, the West Indian legend Sir Garry Sobers was widely recognized as one of the best batsmen in the history of the sport. He was a member of several different cricket teams, including those representing Barbados, Nottinghamshire, and South Australia.

He amassed a total of 8032 runs over the course of 160 innings in 93 different international test matches. In addition to that, he achieved the greatest test match score of his career, which was 365*. In international test cricket, he led his side to 26 centuries, 30 half-centuries, and 21 not-out innings. He also struck 30 half-centuries for himself.

During his time as an active cricket player, Sir Garry Sobers amassed a total of 28314 runs while competing in a total of 383 first-class matches. He achieved the greatest First-class score of his career, which was 365*.

The cricket great was deserving of the third spot on our list of the top 10 best left-handed batsmen of all time. In first-class cricket, he led his sides to 86 centuries, 121 half-centuries, and 93 not-out innings. He also struck 121 half-centuries himself.

1. Brian Lara – Best Left Handed Batsmen

Format	Matches	Innings	Runs	Highest Score	Average	Strike Rate	100	50	4s	6s
Tests	131	232	11953	400*	52.88	60.51	34	48	1559	88
ODIs	299	289	10405	169	40.48	79.51	19	63	1035	133

Brian Lara, a left-handed batter who played for West Indies and retired after a distinguished career, is deserving of recognition as one of the best cricket players of all time. 

In addition to playing for the West Indian national cricket team, he was a member of various other teams, including Marylebone Cricket Club, Mumbai Champs, Northern Transvaal, Southern Rocks, and Warwickshire. He also made an appearance for Warwickshire.

He amassed a total of 11 953 runs during the course of 232 innings played over 132 international test matches. The score of 400 not out that Lara achieved in a test match was a career-high for him. In international test cricket, he recorded 34 centuries, 48 half-centuries, and six not-out innings. He also played a total of six not-out innings.

During his time playing cricket professionally, Brian Lara amassed a total of 10,405 runs in 299 One-Day International matches. His score of 169 in one-day internationals is still the highest of his career, and it earned him the #1 spot on our ranking of the greatest left-handed batsman in the history of cricket.

His total accomplishments include 19 centuries and 63 half-centuries. Lara also participated in limited-overs international cricket for the West Indies squad, where she played 32 not-out innings.

Closing Remarks

Left-handed batters have an incredible stance, and the whole world of cricket applauds them for it. Their approaches to the plate do offer an advantage over those of other teams. They have a distinct edge, mostly in terms of strategy, and they are uncommon.

They unquestionably provide the squad a boost in one or more areas. As the line of the bowling alters, left-handed batters have consistently shown themselves to be successful opponents for the bowlers.

However, in order to put more pressure on the other team, the positioning of the fielders should be adjusted correspondingly. In addition to this, they are able to exert psychological pressure. What are some of your favorite players in cricket who bat left-handed? Share your thoughts with us in the section below!

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