Former Australian pacer Ryan Harris picks his top 5 batters of all-time

Former Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris has revealed his personal list of the top five batters of all time, drawing from those he faced during his international career. Speaking on The Fast Bowling Cartel YouTube channel amid the ongoing India–New Zealand white-ball series, Harris offered rare insight into which batters truly tested him at the peak of his powers.

Ryan Harris reveals his top 5 batters of all time

Kevin Pietersen tops the list

At number one, Harris selected former England batter Kevin Pietersen, a player he encountered frequently during Ashes battles. Pietersen scored 13,797 international runs, including 32 centuries, and was instrumental in England’s triumph at the 2010 T20 World Cup, where he was named Player of the Tournament. Harris described Pietersen as the hardest batter he ever bowled to, citing his imposing presence at the crease and exceptional power. According to the former pacer, even marginal errors in length were punished, making every delivery a calculated risk.

“I’ve always said since I finished playing he (KP) was always the hardest to bowl to because as you know pitch or this is he was so big. Your length to a normal batter it was almost a half volley to him or if he dropped a fraction short he just rocked back and and he was so powerful. So it was always a challenge bowling to him,” said Harris.

AB de Villiers ranked second

South African legend AB de Villiers claimed the second spot on Harris’ list. One of the most versatile batters the game has seen, de Villiers scored over 20,000 international runs and registered 47 centuries. He also holds the record for the fastest ODI century, achieved in just 31 balls. Harris praised de Villiers’ ability to dominate bowlers while also possessing the patience to bat for long periods in Tests, recalling matches where he could both attack and stonewall with equal ease.

“No 2, AB de Villiers. He was amazing and playing couple balls that you think again that you that I bowl that would we think geez that’s a nice and then he just whack it you know or or you know or and the other way the other the other thing with that is as well he’s so good at just we played the test match in in South Africa that he I think he faced something like 250 300 balls like 40 runs so he could just stonewall as well he’s such a such a good all round player unbelievable fielder could keep as well,” added Harris.

Joe Root earns third place

England’s modern-day great Joe Root was slotted in at number three. Root has accumulated more than 22,000 international runs and is second only to Sachin Tendulkar in Test run aggregates, with close to 14,000 runs and 41 Test centuries. Harris highlighted Root’s consistency and adaptability, noting that their repeated encounters in Test cricket were among the most competitive challenges of his career.

“Number three is obviously Joe Root. Root obviously probably be going to come probably the the greatest batters of all time in terms of runs runs scored. Another one who I had lots of lots of good challenges against again played a lot of my test matches against England,” explained Harris.

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Hashim Amla’s elegance impresses

Fourth on the list is former South African opener Hashim Amla, who finished his career with 18,672 international runs and 55 centuries. Harris recalled spells where he felt he was bowling well, only for Amla’s timing and placement to dismantle the field with ease, underlining the batter’s exceptional hand-eye coordination.

“Number four, Hahim Amla. I think he was he was one. I remember playing against him at times and running in thinking I was bowling all right. And then he just hit me there, hit me, hit me everywhere. And you’d feel all of a sudden I felt like a bit of the bowlinger machine. His eye was was unbelievable,” Harris added further.

Sachin Tendulkar completes the five

Rounding out the list at number five is Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. Harris admitted he faced Tendulkar toward the end of the latter’s career but emphasised that simply having the opportunity to bowl to him was a defining experience. He concluded by acknowledging Tendulkar’s unmatched legacy and enduring influence on the game.

“My last one, Sachin Tendulkar. I probably put put him at five only because I played him at the back end of my career. He was probably on the out. I managed to get him out which probably says a little bit but again watching I think for me it was more about having opportunity to play against him and obviously played against Rahul Dravid as well in that series but I mean Sachin doesn’t really need any any description really. He was he was just one of the the best players,” Harris concluded.

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