This year has been precarious for humankind. While the entire world went into complete freeze, the sporting calendar went for a toss. Cricketing activities stretching across oceans had to be called off in the early months of the pandemic-marred year. However, the gloomy clouds began to shy away when the three lions welcomed the Men in Maroon in the post-Covid world.

Amidst unprecedented health protocols, the cricketing arena witnessed some of the finest delicacies in the form of Test cricket.  Needless to say, this year is no less than a Test match as it put the entire world into a test of patience.

As the world stands on the threshold of 2021, it is time to look back and assess the top 10 best Test batsmen in the year 2020. Albeit the international cricket matches remained low, let us see which players put their best foot forward and stole the spotlight. It will be exciting to watch out whether indomitable Virat Kohli and heavyweight Steve Smith break into this list.

Here’s is a list of top 10 Test batsmen of 2020:

10. Shan Masood

The Kuwait-born cricketer climbed the cricketing ladders grappling against a plethora of odds. Shan Masood headlined the pages when he made his debut for the Pakistan Test team against South Africa in 2013. In his inaugural match, he produced 75 runs before he was trapped by the tweaker JP Duminy.

The southpaw holds a topsy-turvy career as he was dropped from the national team. The batting-allrounder proved his prowess in the first Test match against England in the latter’s backyard. He amassed 156 runs in the first innings giving the Azhar Ali-led side a solid start to the innings. Moreover, he stitched a century against Bangladesh as well. Talking about his 23 Test match stint, Masood has collected 1368 runs at an average of 31 to his name.

The 31-year-old takes the 10th spot in the list of heavyweights. Of late, he is gearing himself up to take on the Black Caps in the away series. It will be exciting to see whether the top-order batsman struck the right chords in the tough pitches of New Zealand.

9. Jermaine Blackwood

The Jamaica-based cricketer pulled up his socks early in his career to represent the Caribbean nation. He made into the national team in 2014 on the back of scintillating performance in the domestic circuit. Jermaine Blackwood is known for his potential to add fine balance to the middle-order unit. In 33 matches, he has smothered 1789 runs at an average of 32.53 coupled with 2 brilliant centuries.

Looking at his 2020 career, he has piled up an immense number of runs in his kitty. In the first Test against New Zealand, he raised up his hands right when the team demanded from him the most. The 29-year-old notched 104 runs with Alzarri Joseph, on the other end playing the role of second fiddle, scoring 80 runs. However, West Indies lost the match by an innings but Blackwood proved his mettle against the lethal Kiwi bowling lineup.

Hence, the right-hander bags the 9th spot in this list of star-studded batsmen. His fans and West Indies would cherish to continue the great form in the upcoming years as well.

8. Angelo Mathews

The Sri Lanka based batsman has upped his ante over the years. Angelo Mathews was the finest prospect when he donned the Sri Lankan team’s hat for the first time against Pakistan in 2009. The 33-year-old has been a vital cog in the Sri Lankan team’s batting machinery. In 86 Test matches, he has racked up 5981 runs at an average of 45.31. Also, he has smashed double a hundred as well much to his credit.

In the year 2020, the former skipper amassed a massive 200 unbeaten runs in the first Test match against the Zimbabwe cricket team. Hence, he faced 468 balls in his long battle against the African nation’s bowling line-up which helped the team win the match by 10 wickets.

Therefore, the veteran experienced batsman cements the 8th spot for his stupendous performance with the willow.  Thus, it goes without saying that he will continue to guide his team to impeccable milestones in the coming years as well.

7. Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler is one of the most unrivalled qualities of players in world cricket. His ability to change gears in different format stands next to none. The experienced wicket-keeper batsman has stamped his authority ever since he debuted back in 2014. In 47 Test appearances, he has produced 2543 runs at an impressive average of 33.91.

Looking at his performance this year, the 30-year-old has played some necessary knocks in the middle-order unit. In the 3rd Test against Pakistan, the swashbuckler amassed as many as 152 runs giving his team a massive edge against their counterparts.

Hence, he secured the 7th spot in this high-profile list of heavyweights. England team will continue to benefit from his myriad of prowess in the years to come without a shade of doubt.

6. Tom Latham

The New Zealand based batsman has been the shining light for his nation. The wicket-keeper batsman has plenty of skills written all over his name. Tom Latham stormed into the limelight when he debuted against the mighty Indians in 2014. In 54 Test matches, he has secured 3839 runs at 42.66 much to his credit.

In this year, the opener has found it precarious to hit a century. However, the southpaw has bagged a couple of solid stands for the Black Caps. Consecutive fifties against India early in the year coupled with some fine innings against West indies makes him a perfect candidature to secure the 6th spot in this list.

Thus, the Black Caps under the leadership of Kane Williamson would back the southpaw in the upcoming years owing to his match-winning talent with the willow.

5. Zak Crawley

England’s top-order batsman has been one of the finest willow-wielders for the Brits in recent years. Zak Crawley has justified his position in the team on several occasions. He has pulled off some spectacular performance with the bat. The youngster has played 8 Test matches wherein he has cashed in all the opportunities bestowed upon him.

He has amassed 581 runs at an average of 48 laced up with one double hundred and 3 fifties. In the 3rd Test match against Pakistan, he did what was expected out of him. The 22-year-old fired up all cylinders scoring 267 runs stamping his authority in red-ball cricket. For his blistering rendition, Zak grabs the 5th position in this list of best batsmen.

Hence, the right-hander will higher up his rankings if he continues to perform in a similar fashion.

4. Dominic Sibley

Dominic Sibley is another England batsman who achieved his dream when he was roped into the national side in 2019. He has a profound talent to make it big in his career. The great swing-ball player has appeared for England in 12 matches. He has smoked 686 runs decked up with 2 fifties and 2 hundreds.

The rising star of the Three Lions racked up 133 runs in the second innings of the second Test against South Africa. Hence, England went on to seal the match by 189 runs. Moreover, he replicated a similar century stand against the West Indies in the second Test at Manchester. The opener has registered his place in the team on the back of some scintillating performance.

Hence, he takes the 4th spot beating plethora of his compatriots. It should not surprise anyone if he goes above in this ranking of players in the times to come.

3. Babar Azam

Babar Azam has become the powerhouse of the Pakistan cricket team over the years. The batting brilliance boasts a power of adaptability depending on what situation demands from him. Eventually, he has shown some nerve-wracking rendition with the willow much to the happiness of his fans and supporters. In 29 Test matches, he has tonked 2045 runs at an impressive average of 45.

In a Test match against Bangladesh, Babar smothered 143 runs, helping Pakistan post a high-total of 445 runs on the scorecard. Eventually, Pakistan won the match by an innings and 44 runs. Talking about his Test stint, he flaunts a decorative career. In 29 Test matches, the 26-year-old has garnered 2045 runs at an average of 45.

Subsequently, he features in the 3rd spot which speaks volumes about his run-machine skills. Pakistan will love to see Babar walk the extra mile and achieve milestones for the cricket-freak nation.

2. Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the backbone of the New Zealand batting unit. He possesses mental strength as the 30-year-old has batted under the pump plenty of times and has taken the team to triumph. The right-hander has played in 81 Test matches till now. Taking the baton of captaincy from the stalwart Brendon McCullum, Kane has burnt his midnight oil to push the team in the right direction.

He hogged headlines after he blistered as many as 251 runs against the West Indies in the first Test match at their home. Hence, New Zealand posted a huge total of 251 runs which won them the match by an innings and 134 runs. Also, his fantastic performance of 89 runs in the second Test with the bat against India helped them take the series 2-0.

Hence, Kane secures the second position as his willow has echoed a lot in this corona-induced year. His fans and supporters must be excited to see some great knocks coming from his bat in the future years.

1. Ben Stokes

The England-based batsman has apparently become infallible in the past two years. After a jaw-dropping win against the Aussies in the 3rd Test at Trent Bridge wherein he steered the match in England’s favour single-handedly, everything has gone in his favour. Starting from the away Test series against South Africa to the bilateral matches against Pakistan and West Indies, he has been off the charts throughout the year.

Ben Stokes scored 70 and 120 against the rainbow nation early in the year which ensured that the three lions cling on the coveted silverware. The 2nd Test against the Caribbean nation was dominated by the 29-year from the word go. After garnering 100-odd runs in the first innings, he opened the second inning only to smoke 78 runs unbeaten cruising into victory mode.

Hence, the batting all-rounder bags the numero uno spot-thanks to his impeccable performance throughout the year. It goes without saying that he will leave no stones unturned in the coming years and brave more records to his name.