Quite a lot of smart money is still on Sachin Tendulkar to have on your side if you're fighting for your life. Photo / Getty Images

Quite a lot of smart money is still on Sachin Tendulkar to have on your side if you're fighting for your life. Photo / Getty Images

People have their favourites but Dylan Cleaver asks if there is a batsman today you would trust more than any other.

One of the world's greatest little-known players made a return to international cricket last week. Mohammad Yousuf, the Pakistani batting artist formerly known as Yousuf Youhana, ended his ICL-enforced exile and promptly scored a century on his return.

The 34-year-old doesn't garner the headlines demanded by some of his contemporaries but close to 7000 test runs accumulated at an average of 55.6 per innings suggests greatness.

More than anything, his ability to bat calmly in high-pressure situations is revered among team-mates. His flaw however, and it is not a small one, is his relatively modest record against Australia, South Africa and Sri Lanka, the three best bowling attacks in the world.

That contrasts with somebody like Kevin Pietersen, who opened the Ashes at Cardiff with a half century and in doing so brought up 1000 test runs against Australia. He bats best on the biggest stage, against the best opponents.

Then there's Ricky Ponting, the redoubtable Australian captain who warded off suggestions of declining powers with a faultless 150 at Cardiff.

It begs the question: Who would you want batting for your life?

Allan Border used to have a mortgage on that title before handing the baton to Steve Waugh - or so the Australians would tell you.

Is there anybody on the circuit today who you would trust more than any other? The Herald on Sunday asked a bunch of former internationals and one backyard cricketer with a horrific technique.

Mark Richardson

"I can't go past Mohammad Yousuf at the moment. To me, he was the best batsman playing test cricket before he left for the ICL and he scored a century on his return. He is the most organised and mechanical run scorer in the game at the moment.

"Since he has converted to Islam he has been just unbelievable.

"A year ago I would have gone for Mike Hussey but he's gone through a bit of a slump. Obviously if Ricky Ponting is motivated, he's unbelievable but I don't think he'd particularly want to bat for my life."

John Morrison

"I'd still go with Sachin Tendulkar. He is still the most capable batsman in the world at staying in, which is the most important thing obviously. He has the full array of shots too, though he might not play them as freely as he once did.