Just who is the best of batting’s new famous five?

be inclined to go for Kane Williamson too .... textbook technique and wonderful temperament with Lil Joe coming in second place !!

Choosing between Smith, Williamson and Root for best batsman aged 26 and under is like splitting hairs.

A few numbers to help clarify their greatness:

Root is the youngest of the three, 145 days younger than Williamson and 18 months younger than Smith. Williamson made his debut at age 20, Root and Smith were 21.

Smith (55.92) has the best average in away Test matches; Root averages 43.00 and Williamson 41.75.

Over the last 2 years, Williamson has averaged a staggering 70.52. Smith (67.97) and Root (62.69) have performed just as well. Williamson has been even better in away Test matches over this period, averaging 70.63. Smith's average has also been better in away matches, with an average of 70.66. Root has averaged 50.00.

Root has scored a fifty once every 2.66 innings, better than Smith (2.82) and Williamson (2.85).

Williamson has the best average against spinners (49.11), Steve Smith the best against pace bowlers (47.68).

From a technique standpoint, I would choose Kane Williamson - he has the softest hands of any batsman I have seen in recent years.

If push came to shove, I'd probably choose Smith, but you can make a strong argument for all three.

Kohli, ABDV, Smith, Root, Kane, Amla and to a lesser extent Cook, Khan, Misbah (aka Chanderpaul 2), Rahane, Mathews and Warner (aka Mathew Hayden 2) are the top test batsmen these days.

ABDV is in a league of his own.

Smith, Root and Kane all go big when they get set.

Kohli, like Tendulkar, gets tired after crossing 100, but he rattles off small 100s with ease. The next few years will determine if he becomes a FTB or fixes his problems with swing and seem. What's interesting is Kohli's test strike rate, which is very low given that this is a batting friendly era.

Of the young guys, Kane looks the most secure, the most tight, and has now developed an attacking game (he's blossomed into a good ODI player over the past year too). Watching him mature from a tiny kid to a veritable rock in the space of 2 years makes you angry at the state of WI cricket.

Root is a little maverick. This guy was classy as a 9 year old. I can see him surpassing all his contemporaries. He gives the most chances though, and is inexperienced outside of English conditions.

I'm not sure about Smith. He moves so much in his crease; this will either make him some kind of trail-blazer (will all test batsmen now move like this?) or it will start backfiring on him. I think he might become the next Ponting.

I totally agree that AB de Villiers is in a complete league of his own. If I had to choose one batsman to bat for me, it would be ABDV. Second on the list for me would be Alastair Cook. He is an opening batsman, is a grinder, never gives his wicket away, enjoys spending hours at the crease and averages 40+ in Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe and Oceania.

Totally agree that Absolutely  Brilliant is in a league of his own ..........

Ketchim & myself ages ago nicknamed (TM ) Alastair Cook as the real Mr. Cricket

However, re the new youngsters  .... it's for Kane

Another big knock for Kane again today. He really is clutch. A further point towards Kane being the best of the three youngsters - he has the highest 4th innings average (51.16). Joe Root averages 44.70 in the 4th innings and Steve Smith just 29.75. Kane is also the only one to have a fourth innings century under his belt.

Dilly info much appreciated .... You really are 'The Statsman' (TM Calypso)

Guyana Calypso !

we also identified Kane as Able : on his debut ! 

Mark Nicholas takes on this very question in his most recent column and has high praise for Williamson.

More can be read here: www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/942051.html