Cricket as a sport has enjoyed popularity in several countries all over the world, from the United States to Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. Of all these countries, cricket is most popular in India, where it is played with so much passion; it has become a way of life. The cricket enthusiast will be pleased to know that this list of double century batsman has been selected based on their set skills, unique techniques, and highflying careers. Here is the list of the top 10 epic double century players in cricket.
10. Jonny Bairstow
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Jonathan Marc Bairstow commonly known as “Jonny” is an English cricketer who plays for both England and Yorkshire. He had an early career at age fifteen when he began playing for the Yorkshire under-15s. He made a name for himself when he scored his maiden first class century during the tour of West Indies in May 2011. Although he has not had a flourishing career over the past years, his additional skill as a wicket keeper gives him an edge and he still remains on the radar as one of England’s finest.
9. Younis Khan
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Successful Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan is one of the thriving fielders for Pakistan. He stepped into the international spotlight in 2000 when he played for Pakistan against Sri Lanka in an ODI game. He has had a less than pleasant career, which was abruptly ended with the ban placed on him in March 2010. However he was able to rejoin the Pakistan squad in October 2010 for the national series against South Africa, where he scored an unbeaten century. Although over the past years, he has not amazed the world the world with his batting skills, he can however be ranked amongst the double century players in cricket.
8. Cheteshwar Pujara
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Twenty-eight year old double century batsman, Pujara is of Indian decent. He began his cricket career at a tender age of fourteen. As a boy he played in the under – 14cricket where he scored a triple century and a double in the under-19s against England; this was before he made his Test debut. Although his career started off at a high point, his Test form dipped in 2014 as he could only manage 423 runs in eight Tests in England and Australia.
7. Hashim Amla
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South African cricketer Hashim Amla knew responsibility at the young age of 21 when he was appointed captain of his state side – the Nashua Dolphins. He made his Test debut in 2004/05 against India in the Under – 19 Cricket World Cup. In 2012 he bagged a triple hundred against England by scoring 311 at The Oval. Although some of his games can be classified as less than smooth, he can definitely be counted amongst the best double century cricketers of all times.
6. David Warner
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It is only proper that this Australian double century batsman makes it to our number six. Warner’s appears at the International arena came as a surprise. He had never played a single first class match before his appearance at the T20 in 2009 against South Africa where he made a shocking 89 off 43 balls. He became the second highest run scorer for Australia in the 2015 World Cup.
5. AB de Villiers (SA)
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South African cricketer Abraham Benjamin popularly known as AB can comfortably be referred to as one of the most valuable batsman in the world. He can definitely be regarded as a prodigy as he began his International cricket career at age twenty in 2004. He established a record for himself when he became the first South African player who made a double century against India.
Then, he led South Africa to victory, in the 2008/09 tour of Australia; when he led his team to win South Africa’s first test victory in Australia in over fifteen years. In 2011 he smashed the records by becoming the first South African double century batsman to score two centuries in the ICC world cup. Not surprisingly, in 2015 he made the fastest century ever in the one day International Cricket (ODI) held in Johannesburg.
4. Joe Root
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England’s golden boy Joe Root hails from a rich cricket background. He has obtained several cricket scholarships and awards. His exceptional performance at for England at the under-19 series against Bangladesh in 2010 earned him a three-year professional contract with Yorkshire. His true potential came to light in 2015 when made 1385 Test runs in the year earning him a position at the top of the ICC test rankings. He can therefore be said to be one of the double century cricketers of this century.
3. Kane Williamson
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Our number three spot goes to New Zealand’s own Kane Williamson. It is highly possible that he might just be the greatest double century batsman in New Zealand at the end of his career. His potentials and skills were recognized when he led the New Zealand under-19 team in 2007. At the ODI series of 2014, Williamson broke several records in the game against India. He scored a total of fifty-plus scores in all five games, earning him the position of the second batsman in ODI history to ever achieve such fit. He is definitely one of the best double century players in cricket.
2. Steve Smith
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If there was ever a legendary ambassador of cricket, it would be Australia’s Steve Smith. The twenty-seven-year-old double century batsman started his career as a legs spinner. His first Test century happened at the Oval in 2013. He did not end here; in 2014 he became summer Steve when he impressed the selectors by scoring centuries in all four first innings of the home Test against India. He has not only become Australia’s most important batsman, he has succeeded in becoming the key man in Australia’s ODI side.
1. Virat Kohli
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India’s own unstoppable double century batsman, Virat Kohli is nothing short of brilliance. He has not only led India’s test cricket team to several victories, but he has also established himself as one of the top twenty batsmen in the International Cricket Council (ICC) ranking. He holds several Indian batting records such as; the fastest batsman to 5,000 ODI runs, the fastest ODI century and the fastest to 10 ODI centuries.
He has also been the recipient of several awards, some of which are; 2012 ICC One Day International Player of the year award, 2012 Peoples’ Choice Award for Favorite Sportsperson, and the 2013 Arjuna Award for Cricket. His impressive batting skills have helped India reach the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup. His strings of successful spells continue to impress.
These are the double century cricketers of this Millennium. If you like what you read, please like, share and don’t forget to comment.
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