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County Championship 2022 | Top-five active overseas batters in the English County circuit

Whenever we comprehend the County Cricket, it's probably one of those tournaments which act as the epitome of the purest form of cricket. Though it is a first-class tournament and we might not see an enormous hype about it, like any ICC tournament, it is a treat to watch some of our star players in the whites, playing in the English conditions.


Also, when we state the English condition, it is the hard Duke's ball, swinging and overcast conditions, making it tough to play, yet intriguing to see it. We have seen several players from England dominating with their batting or bowling stats in this tournament. However, some overseas players have been commendable enough with their bats and have set a benchmark. Here is a list of those overseas batters who deserve recognition in the ongoing season. 


  • Shan Masood

Left-hand opening batter from Pakistan, Shan Masood, has been in sublime touch, showcasing his batting skills in unfamiliar conditions. Masood has kickstarted his County career this year for Derbyshire. His illustrious knock of 239 against Sussex has been in the news as he has made the highest score by any Pakistani batter in the County Championship. Scoring 91 and 62 runs in both the innings of his debut match, he has a stronghold for having a promising cricketing future. 


  • Cheteshwar Pujara

When it comes to the current Indian test cricket team, Cheteshwar Pujara has been a valuable asset to them. Predominantly known for his defensive and tactical approach, Pujara was a go-to option in several matches for the National team. Though he might now have a rough patch in his Test career and got dropped in the National squad, he's showing his sheer calibre in the ongoing County championship for Sussex. In the match against Derbyshire, Pujara struck a double-ton amassing an impeccable 201* off 383 balls. By this innings, he has become the second Indian batter to achieve such a feat after Mohammad Azharuddin. 


  • Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla is a South African batter known for his elegant shot selection and run-getting ability. In his County stint, he was a part of the Surrey based-club. His wholesome batting has been the key for the team. Though he might have retired from the national side, his passion and dedication to the sport can be seen evidently in the County format. In the previous edition of the County Championship, he was the sixth-highest run-scorer for Surrey, stockpiling an impressive 994 runs in 13 matches, with 215* being his highest score. 


  • Marcus Harris

The classy Aussie opener had a fairytale of a start to his County career. The top-order Aussie batter gave his first appearance in the Championship in 2021 season, where he was destructive enough with the bat and provided some impeccable tons. Even in the ongoing season, Harris has proved his calibre statement and made a century in his debut match for his new team, Gloucestershire. And we can expect the same red-hot form in the upcoming County games.


  • David Bedingham

A South African citizen who holds a United Kingdom ancestry visa, David Bedingham has been too good with the bat for the Durham Cricket team. In the previous edition, David was the fourth-highest run-scorer in the tournament by making 1029 runs in 13 matches. As the numbers suggest, his performance has been highly commendable, which got him honoured with three awards at Durham County Cricket Club's award ceremony, including the prestigious Paul Collingwood Medal (Player of the year). 

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