International Cricket Batsmen Power Rankings

We're halfway through 2013 and there are a few batsmen who have stood out so far. Some have managed to rack up the runs in both Tests and one-day cricket. Others are having a good whack around on the T20 circuit. 

With so much cricket being played these days, players have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves. But the international cricket circuit can also be unforgiving and a couple of blips can put a freeze on somebody's career pretty quickly.

There are a few players who have stood out so far. Some have scored buckets of runs already while others have managed to score consistently when it matters.

It's a tough task to single out the best, but these picks highlight some of the most in-form players. Feel free to add your own picks in the comments below.

Jonathan Trott (Tests and ODIs)

Jonathan Trott currently tops the leading run scorers' table for Test cricket in 2013.  He averages 53.44 in five games this year and has already notched up two fifties and one ton. Slow and steady as his approach might be, he's certainly not slow in accumulating runs.

With an Ashes series to begin in less than a week, he has more than enough time to make sure he cements himself at the top of the table. 

He's also the second-highest run scorer for one-day internationals. There's been much talk about Trott's slow approach, but it's worked for him. He's managed 583 runs in 16 matches, with four fifties and an unbeaten ton to show for it. His average strike-rate sits at a very acceptable 87.40. 

Trott might not be the traditional type of one-day player, but he has found an approach that works for him. 

AB DE Villiers (Tests)

South Africa's gloveman is the second leading run scorer in Test cricket this year. He was in fine touch against New Zealand and Pakistan earlier this year, scoring two centuries against Pakistan. De Villiers has taken to keeping wicket and batting like a duck to water. 

While there were concerns at first that keeping might have an effect on his batting, there's been no such thing. He has scored 470 runs this year at an average of 78.33—including two hundreds and three fifties. All of those runs have come in just five matches. 

Not bad going.

Hashim Amla (Tests)

There is no doubting Hashim Amla's brilliance. With four fifties and a century to his name this year, he's continuing the rich vein of form he had last year. He's had just two scores lower than 40 in seven innings this year and averages 77. 

He'll have to wait until at least October before he can add to that tally, though. South Africa aren't due another Test until they take on Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates much later in the year.

Joe Root (Tests and ODIs)

He's played just six Test matches for England, but Root has been in sublime form since making his debut last year. From the 73 on debut against India to the 104 he scored against New Zealand at his home ground in Leeds, Root has been on fire.

He's gone above and beyond everyone's expectations and has carried some solid first-class experience to the world's biggest stage. Many thought he was too young for the demands of Test cricket, but there's been none of that for the Yorkshire youngster. 

Root would very well open the batting when England start their Ashes campaign next week. While that is his usual batting spot, it will be the biggest test of his early career. 

Root's carried his Test form into the one-day circuit, too, scoring 590 runs in 16 games. His approach is fun and fearless and his unbeaten 79 is his top-score for the year. Root likes to have fun when he's playing and he's always smiling. 

Cheteshwar Pujara (Tests)

Since his return to the Indian set-up, Cheteshwar Pujara has scored two double hundreds in six months. While his teammates were falling apart against England, he managed a hundred. That was right after he managed an unbeaten 206 in the first Test in Ahmedabad. 

His form blipped a bit in the two Tests following that, but he was right back in the big runs in 2013. He scored a double hundred against Australia as well as two half-centuries. 

Pujara is one for the future and India's future is looking pretty bright, even with a whole host of their big name stars calling it a day. 

Ian Bell (ODIs)

Aside from the sweeping sickness which seems to trouble the English batsmen so, Ian Bell has been outstanding this year.

He tops the run-scorers for one-day internationals this year and has scored 645 runs in 16 games. There have been a few blips, as a result of losing concentration. He also struggled in his last four games in the Champions Trophy, but it shouldn't be anything more than a slight blip.

Bell has all the ability and all the brains to be an outstanding one-day player, if only he can keep the cobwebs at bay.

David Miller (ODIs and T20)

Due to being a lower-order batsmen, David Miller doesn't always get an opportunity to show what he's made of. When he does, though, he can be mesmerising. 

He scored a breathless 38-ball hundred in the IPL and spared South Africa's blushes in the Champions Trophy. When his teammates were falling apart against England in the semi-final, Miller managed an unbeaten 56. 

He also managed 67 against Pakistan in South Africa earlier this year. Despite the duck he made in his first Champions Trophy outing, Miller seems to finally be growing into the player he has the ability to be. 

Mahela Jayawardene (ODIs)

Mahela Jayawardene is one of the most aesthetically pleasing players to watch. He has adjusted his style with the times.

From the traditional cover drives in the old days to now adding a few ramp shots and cheeky flicks to his repertoire. Jayawardene has been in solid form since Sri Lanka took on England at The Oval.

After a slightly barren spell, he scored 323 runs in five games. He also managed a century against India in Kingston on Tuesday. Sri Lanka play South Africa in a one-day series in just a few weeks. Considering Jayawardene averages just 29.33 in the eight matches he's played against South Africa in Sri Lanka, the former skipper has a bit to be positive about. 

Brendon McCullum (T20 Internationals)

Brendon McCullum is arguably the best T20 player in the world. He has raced to the top of the T20Is run scorers list. With 178 runs in four games, McCullum has had another outstanding year with the bat. 

He hasn't done too badly in Tests this year either. He managed scores of 74, 69 and 67 against England when they toured New Zealand earlier in the year, but he couldn't quite get going in the Test series in England.

He's also put on some good scores in the one-day format, but it's T20s where his strength really lies.

Alastair Cook (Tests)

England's captain is enjoying a rich vein of form. He has already scored two hundreds this year in Test cricket. His average is 45.22 for the year, a touch under his overall average of 49.17.

He was particularly impressive against India. He scored 41 in the first innings in Mumbai, followed by 176 in the second innings. All this happened while England were struggling to come to grips with the conditions. The visitors lost that match by nine wickets, but made up for it in the following few matches. 

Cook also carried that form to the next two games and scored 122 in Mumbai and 190 in Kolkata. In the Champions Trophy he managed 59 and 64, and while he stumbled in the last two games, managing just six and two, Cook has looked in great touch.

With The Ashes just around the corner, that's great news for England.