Over the years, Cricket has produced some excellent left-handed batsmen. While cricket has been more popular for right-handed players, some incredible lefties have paved their way. They are known for their elegance and quality worldwide. From Gary Sobers to David Warner, Cricket has witnessed many lefties. Let’s see the top 10 left-handed batsmen from the world to have made the most number of centuries in test cricket.
1. Kumar Sangakkara
In a carrier span of 15 years, this Sri Lankan superstar has scored 38 centuries from 134 matches making him one of the most successful left-hand batsmen of all time. Having scored 12,400 runs only from test cricket with an average of 57.40 and the highest score of 319. He is one of the most remarkable cricketer from Sri Lanka. Sangakkara is also well-known among cricket fans for his patience and tactfulness. He is also one of the best wicketkeepers from the Sri Lankan team.
2. Brian Charles Lara
This astonishing Caribbean maestro has made cricket lovers go crazy about left-hand batting. With 34 international centuries, Brian Lara is one of the top run scorers for West Indies from 131 international test matches. Charles Lara also holds the record for the highest individual score of 400 not out against England, which is still unbeaten. Often regarded as one of the best batsmen ever, Lara is known for his batting techniques and stylish shots. Lara played his last test in 2006 against Pakistan.
3. Alastair Cook
Sir Alastair Nathan Cook is one of the finest left-handed batsmen that England ever witnessed. In a carrier kicking off from 2006 to 2018, he scored 33 international centuries with a top score of 294. Having played 161 tests for England, he is the record holder for the most test runs scored by a left-handed batsman ever (12,472) runs. Cook is also England’s second most-capped test player. Alastair Cook is also one of the finest captains of England. His performance in the “Ashes” has always been exceptional.
4. Shivnarine Chanderpaul
This former Caribbean captain and a cricketing legend have 30 international test centuries from 164 tests with a whopping batting average of 51.37. In a prolonged carrier of 21 years, Chanderpaul became the eighth-highest run scorer in test cricket. Being a left-handed player, he is well known for his batting posture which was addressed as ‘crab-like’ by cricket lovers. He is one of the best West Indian batsmen, along with Brian Lara. He has played several match-winning innings during his career.
5. Matthew Lawrence Hayden
Being a destructive opening batsman for the Aussies for 15 years, Matthew Hayden has 30 centuries to his profile. He played 103 test matches from which he scored 8625 runs. Hayden is well-known among cricket lovers for his opening partnership with Justin Langer, adding to the team‘s success. His last test match was against South Africa in 2009. Matthew Hayden is also a two-time ODI world cup winner.
6. Graeme Craig Smith
The first Protea making into the list, Graeme Smith has 27 centuries from 117 international test matches with a batting average of 48.25 from each test. Smith was one of the excellent openers of his time. He is also the most successful South African captain who led his team to a record 54 test wins. At the age of 22, Graeme Craig Smith was the South Africa’s youngest captain ever. He took South African cricket to another level and was an astonishing captain and player.
7. Allan Robert Border
Another Australian cricketing mastermind, Allan Border has 27 international test centuries. From his 156 tests for Australia, he scored 11,174 runs with an average of 50.56. Border set many records for himself pre-retirement. Allen Border is the first cricketer to play 150 test matches. He was the holder of the most runs in international test cricket. The record was later broken by Brian Lara in 2005. The famous test series between India and Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a tribute to his career. He was also a great captain.
8. Sir Garry Sobers
Often regarded as the greatest ever cricketing all-rounder, Gary Sobers has 26 international test centuries from 93 test matches played for West Indies. After scoring 365 not out against Pakistan in 1958, he was the record holder for the highest individual run scorer in test cricket which Lara later broke in 1994. He also has 235 test wickets to his name. Sobers played his last test against England in 1974.
9. David Warner
Among all others on the list, David Warner is the only left-hand batsman who still continues to contribute to Australia’s success across all formats. As an opening batsman, Warner is known for his aggressive batting and elegant shots. Having played 103 test matches, Warner holds 25 centuries with a batting average of 45.57. David Warner also has a triple ton (335*). He was also the leading run-scorer in multiple editions of the IPL and also has been one of the best opening batsmen Australia has ever produced.
10. David Ivon Gower
Gower played and led the England national cricket team during the 1980s. From 117 test matches, he scored 18 centuries and 8231 runs. David Gover was well-known among cricket enthusiast for his stylish and elegant cricketing shots. He is one of the prominent left-hand batsman from England. After his cricketing career, he became successful as a cricket commentator in sky sports.
