Cricket has evolved immensely over the years and more than that, it is batting which has grown and developed. From the textbook cricketing shots to the unusual 360-degree ones, batsmen have shown their utter brilliance, elegance, and grace since the cricket took birth. Players like Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Alastair Cook and Brian Lara who were pleasing to watch with their cricket textbook shots but some players have ruled the cricketing kingdom with their unorthodox style. So, here is the list of 5 batsmen with an unorthodox batting stance who scored tons of runs.

1.Steve Smith

Arguably or unarguably, the best test batsman in the world right now has shown that hand-eye coordination and cricketing book stances are not only the nits which can make you survive in the cricket world. Started his career as a leggie who would come to bat at 7-8, who would have thought Smith will become number one test batsman one day. His career has been a rollercoaster ride- kickstart from a leggie, showed his temperament in 2013 Ashes, hitting Indian bowlers out of the park, the whole ball tempering chapter, one year cricket ban to breaking the chains again in 2019 Ashes. This guy has surely shown some metal. Shuffling across the stumps, bat floating like a baseball timber, and then hitting bowlers to every corner of the park- this is something only Steven Smith was born to do. With the average of 63 in the Test cricket and only behind the greatest of all time Don Bradman in the numbers, Steve Smith’s resilience and mental ability to carry on with his unique stance has made every run count for his team and nation.

2.George Bailey

Known for his unique stance, this Australian cricketer has made his presence count every time he steps onto the field in Aussie jersey. Bailey has been known for his unorthodox stance but the only picture which clicks our mind when we hear about his stance is of the time when he took strike for Prime Minister’s XI against South Africa. Showing his back towards the bowler, it raised many eyebrows and brought some waves of laughter on the pitch too. This Aussie right-hand batsman might not have hundreds of stars attached to his glory cupboard but being the captain of Australia is not an easy job. He justified his responsibility whenever he got the opportunity and irrespective of his weird stance, he produced runs. Sometimes the runs came ebb-flowing- going up to 20-25 per over. Such became the power of his blade with his unorthodox stance.

3.Shivnarine Chanderpaul

Undoubtedly, one of the greatest West Indies cricketers, Shivnarine Chanderpaul was a unique prodigy of his times. Carrying his unique batting stance on the pitch, he is the second-highest test run-scorer for West Indies in the Test matches. Not only he is second-highest test runs scorer for West Indies in Test cricket, but he is also the most-capped player for them in Tests. The batsman had a front-on stance with his chest facing the bowler while his bat keeps swinging in front of his legs. He would just keep waiting for the ball while standing at a 90-degree-angle to the normal batting position, he scored nearly twelve thousand runs. This West Indian batsman scored 30 centuries, 66 half-centuries and had an average over 50 in Test Cricket.

4.Kevin Pietersen

With his exceptional batting, reverse sweeps, and unusual batting stance, this modern-day batter scored tons of runs whenever he came out for batting in England’s jersey. With over more than twelve thousand runs in both Test and ODI matches and averaging more than whopping 40 in both formats, Kevin Pietersen carried England cricket on his shoulders for many years. The batting style fascinates many youngsters and many of them still try to copy it. Standing in the crease with his feet falling apart, his bat came from his rear foot with full swing. Also known for his shuffling across the pitch, he was a nightmare for many bowlers. This shuffling whiz made it very difficult for bowlers to bowl at him. Kevin Pietersen’s nine years of cricketing career surely entertain the audience with his stance and his incredible batting. You can apply for theatre jobs in various cities.

5.Ross Taylor

New Zealand's Ross Taylor is one of the most comprehensive batsmen in the world at present. In this year, he became the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in ODI format leaving behind Stephen Fleming. The run machine of Kiwi’s has been scoring runs for his team with a phenomenal average and strike rate in the past few years. One thing that makes him extraordinary is the unusual batting stance. Taylor is identified to utilize his bat as an axe, placing it right amidst his legs and patted the ground as if he was splitting wood. Ross Taylor walks across the stumps, and almost all balls are forwarded to the mid-wicket fence or over it. His position is the same as that of youngsters playing cricket, but he has been very efficient in executing it.