606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
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606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Morning all
Sorry for the delay in getting the middle order batsmen results sorted, I'll do that in the next day or so.
Meanwhile, we might as well get the voting for the top 10 greatest Test opening batsmen under way.
Same rules apply, post-war batsmen only (those that played both can be considered if their body of work post-war warrants their inclusion).
In order, please.
Thanks.
Sorry for the delay in getting the middle order batsmen results sorted, I'll do that in the next day or so.
Meanwhile, we might as well get the voting for the top 10 greatest Test opening batsmen under way.
Same rules apply, post-war batsmen only (those that played both can be considered if their body of work post-war warrants their inclusion).
In order, please.
Thanks.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Gavasker
Hutton
Sehwag
Boycott
Greenidge
Hayden
A Morris
H Mohammed
Gooch
Haynes
Hutton
Sehwag
Boycott
Greenidge
Hayden
A Morris
H Mohammed
Gooch
Haynes
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
You've placed Sehwag very highly there, Stella. Quite surprised. No doubt he has a fantastic record, but his lack of skill does show in some conditions where his eye alone isn't enough to get him by.
Graeme Smith for example, whilst not being anywhere near as good to watch or having that same ability to dismantle attacks, gets runs everywhere he goes and I'd think he was at least the equal of Sehwag in any rankings.
Graeme Smith for example, whilst not being anywhere near as good to watch or having that same ability to dismantle attacks, gets runs everywhere he goes and I'd think he was at least the equal of Sehwag in any rankings.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists of Fury wrote:You've placed Sehwag very highly there, Stella. Quite surprised. No doubt he has a fantastic record, but his lack of skill does show in some conditions where his eye alone isn't enough to get him by.
Graeme Smith for example, whilst not being anywhere near as good to watch or having that same ability to dismantle attacks, gets runs everywhere he goes and I'd think he was at least the equal of Sehwag in any rankings.
I do enjoy watching Virender in full flow. Also, he does have the ability to rip an attack apart which eases the pressure on Dravid and co.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
As with any lists, personal preference is prominent. As such I could probably envisage him being somewhere between 8 and 10, but my initial thoughts are that 3 seems a tad high.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists of Fury wrote:As with any lists, personal preference is prominent. As such I could probably envisage him being somewhere between 8 and 10, but my initial thoughts are that 3 seems a tad high.
Possibly Fists but he's the best opener I've seen. I know he has heavy feet and relies on hand/eye co-ordination which will let him down in the near future but he's the only batsmen I've seen hit 290 in one day.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
That is an immensely impressive statistic which of course has to be considered. Incredible, when you think about it.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists
I try and base my opinions on what I actually see and I've seen quite a bit of Sehwag.
Smith, Langer, Slater and a few others are all quality players but not quite top 10 material IMO.
Also, the two Kiwi's, Turner and Sutcliffe were close.
I try and base my opinions on what I actually see and I've seen quite a bit of Sehwag.
Smith, Langer, Slater and a few others are all quality players but not quite top 10 material IMO.
Also, the two Kiwi's, Turner and Sutcliffe were close.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Thanks for this latest one, Fists.
I'll post my list tonight.
Some very sound names from Stella although no sign of my number one!
PS Has Pietersen ever opened in a test? Thought Gregers might want to know. There again, perhaps not ....
PPS Where is Mr CricketFan?
I'll post my list tonight.
Some very sound names from Stella although no sign of my number one!
PS Has Pietersen ever opened in a test? Thought Gregers might want to know. There again, perhaps not ....
PPS Where is Mr CricketFan?
guildfordbat- Posts : 16889
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Some very sound names from Stella although no sign of my number one
--------------------------------
Darren Bicknell?
--------------------------------
Darren Bicknell?
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Stella wrote:Some very sound names from Stella although no sign of my number one
--------------------------------
Darren Bicknell?
Stella - I wasn't actually thinking of him but thanks for the prompt!
guildfordbat- Posts : 16889
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Cf appears AWOL! Might have to revoke that lifetime award
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists of Fury wrote:Cf appears AWOL! Might have to revoke that lifetime award
Even with current cut backs, I'm sure the Corporal will lend some troops for a night time search ....
guildfordbat- Posts : 16889
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Sunil Gavaskar – India – Avg: 51.12 – Centuries 34 – Fifties 45
Never saw him play, but also a prolific run scorer
Len Hutton – England – Avg: 56.67 – Centuries 19 – fifties 33
From research I am told he is the most technically correct batsman of all time.
Verinder Sehwag – India – Avg: 53.43 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 27
Most devastating opening batsman in modern day cricket.
Matthew Hayden – Australia – Avg: 50.73 – Centuries 30 – Fifties 29
Equally devastating, a late bloomer
Greame Smith – South Africa – Avg: 49.71 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 29
Consistent batsman with a very good strike rate in test cricket. Held a few records with gibbs as the pair with the most triple century partnerships.
Geoffrey Boycott – England – Avg: 47.72 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 42
I understand he wasn’t too shabby
Barry Richards – South Africa – Avg: 72.57 – Centuries 2 – Fifties 2
He has to make the list, but because of only having played in 4 tests, I can’t put him anywhere higher.
Gary Kirsten
Gordon Greenidge
Sanath Jayasuriya
Never saw him play, but also a prolific run scorer
Len Hutton – England – Avg: 56.67 – Centuries 19 – fifties 33
From research I am told he is the most technically correct batsman of all time.
Verinder Sehwag – India – Avg: 53.43 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 27
Most devastating opening batsman in modern day cricket.
Matthew Hayden – Australia – Avg: 50.73 – Centuries 30 – Fifties 29
Equally devastating, a late bloomer
Greame Smith – South Africa – Avg: 49.71 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 29
Consistent batsman with a very good strike rate in test cricket. Held a few records with gibbs as the pair with the most triple century partnerships.
Geoffrey Boycott – England – Avg: 47.72 – Centuries 22 – Fifties 42
I understand he wasn’t too shabby
Barry Richards – South Africa – Avg: 72.57 – Centuries 2 – Fifties 2
He has to make the list, but because of only having played in 4 tests, I can’t put him anywhere higher.
Gary Kirsten
Gordon Greenidge
Sanath Jayasuriya
Last edited by biltongbek on Tue 06 Dec 2011, 12:24 pm; edited 3 times in total
Biltong- Moderator
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Here's my take:
1)Gavaskar
2)Hutton
3)Simpson
4)Boycott
5)Amiss
6)Greenidge
7)Hayden
8)Sehwag
9)Turner
10)Smith
Post-war caveat really takes a lot of all-time legends out of the reckoning on this one
1)Gavaskar
2)Hutton
3)Simpson
4)Boycott
5)Amiss
6)Greenidge
7)Hayden
8)Sehwag
9)Turner
10)Smith
Post-war caveat really takes a lot of all-time legends out of the reckoning on this one
Hoggy_Bear- Posts : 2202
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Jayasuriya averaged 55?? Really?!
I thought it was about 40?
I thought it was about 40?
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Biltong, needs to be post-war mate, sorry.
You're right Hoggy it does take a lot out of the equation.
We can perhaps look at pre-war rankings once this current lot are complete. I imagine it'll take a lot of research, but it'd be very interesting to do and probably a learning curve for us all.
You're right Hoggy it does take a lot out of the equation.
We can perhaps look at pre-war rankings once this current lot are complete. I imagine it'll take a lot of research, but it'd be very interesting to do and probably a learning curve for us all.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Yeah i was surprised too. Went to check it now, wiki is $h1t.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanath_Jayasuriya
remove him then from the list.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sanath_Jayasuriya
remove him then from the list.
Biltong- Moderator
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Says he has 33 hundreds too, what garbage.
I've checked cricinfo, and his average was indeed 40.07, with 14 hundreds. That's more like it.
Just edit your list
I've checked cricinfo, and his average was indeed 40.07, with 14 hundreds. That's more like it.
Just edit your list
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
biltongbek wrote:Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka – Avg: 55.78 – Centuries 33 – Fifties 50
For me the best opener in the modern era and before, had a long career and his longevity alone shows with the combination of his batting average that he must surely be the most consistent opening batsman.
eh? Jayasuriya averaged just above 40 in tests! You sure you haven't got him confused with someone else?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/49209.html
Also Hobbs and Sutcliffe, worthy candidates that they are, were pre-war, so are unfortunately excluded from this discussion (they would easily have made my top 5 or so). My own list will follow reasonably shortly, here are some early thoughts.
Sehwag won't make it. I don't care how dominant he is on the flat subcontinent pitches, he has a truly dreadful record in England, SA, and NZ where the ball tends to nip around for more than an over or so. Can't rate an opener in the top 10 if he can't (be bothered to?) guts it out in tough circumstances. His first ball flash in the second innings of the third test in England is one of the worst shots I've seen.
Richards (Barry) will be quite high on the list. is it wrong to go for potential? In my mind would have been one of the all-time greats had his career lasted.
Hutton, Gavaskar, Boycott and Greenidge all make the list.
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Mad for Chelsea wrote:biltongbek wrote:Sanath Jayasuriya – Sri Lanka – Avg: 55.78 – Centuries 33 – Fifties 50
For me the best opener in the modern era and before, had a long career and his longevity alone shows with the combination of his batting average that he must surely be the most consistent opening batsman.
eh? Jayasuriya averaged just above 40 in tests! You sure you haven't got him confused with someone else?
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/49209.html
Also Hobbs and Sutcliffe, worthy candidates that they are, were pre-war, so are unfortunately excluded from this discussion (they would easily have made my top 5 or so). My own list will follow reasonably shortly, here are some early thoughts.
Sehwag won't make it. I don't care how dominant he is on the flat subcontinent pitches, he has a truly dreadful record in England, SA, and NZ where the ball tends to nip around for more than an over or so. Can't rate an opener in the top 10 if he can't (be bothered to?) guts it out in tough circumstances. His first ball flash in the second innings of the third test in England is one of the worst shots I've seen.
Richards (Barry) will be quite high on the list. is it wrong to go for potential? In my mind would have been one of the all-time greats had his career lasted.
Hutton, Gavaskar, Boycott and Greenidge all make the list.
Yeah , fixed it, wiki was telling me totally different stats.
also have edited my list to take the pre-war batsmen out.
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Barry Richards played 4 tests.
This IMO is nowhere near enough to get him in this line-up.
This IMO is nowhere near enough to get him in this line-up.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
It's tough, isn't it? Horrible to omit a man that clearly had bucketloads of potential and ability, but without the solid stats it is likewise difficult to include him when there have been so many other illustrious openers.
By all accounts, Richards would have had a hugely successful Test career. However, without the stats, who is to say he wouldn't have failed to live up to his billing? Unlikely, given the rave reviews he received from his contemporaries, but food for thought nevertheless.
By all accounts, Richards would have had a hugely successful Test career. However, without the stats, who is to say he wouldn't have failed to live up to his billing? Unlikely, given the rave reviews he received from his contemporaries, but food for thought nevertheless.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Hick was seen as the next Bradman but look what happened to him. Richards did well in the world series of Cricket and would have probably averaged at least 50 in test cricket but we will never know.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
well I have a soft spot for that SA team, I've already included Proctor in my all-rounders list and Pollock up at 2 in my middle-order list, so to remain consistent I shall have to include Richards in my openers list
Graeme Smith should make it too, lots of match-winnning knocks in the fourth innings, great fighter, and a decent captain to boot. Kirsten is a decent shout, incredibly dull to watch, but nonetheless a very fine batsman who was never afraid of the hard graft.
Graeme Smith should make it too, lots of match-winnning knocks in the fourth innings, great fighter, and a decent captain to boot. Kirsten is a decent shout, incredibly dull to watch, but nonetheless a very fine batsman who was never afraid of the hard graft.
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Smith makes mine, which I shall be posting later. Very much admire his ability, fighting spirit and temperament, particularly when it really matters.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Barry Richards also averaged nearly 80 in World Series cricket by the way (though again he only played five "super tests").
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists of Fury wrote:Smith makes mine, which I shall be posting later. Very much admire his ability, fighting spirit and temperament, particularly when it really
matters.
I did see Smith make a double at Edgbaston, so he is very unlucky not to get in my ten.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
to guildford
CF mentioned he'd have a busy time with studies this week so won't be around until early evening most days.
CF mentioned he'd have a busy time with studies this week so won't be around until early evening most days.
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Mad for Chelsea wrote:to guildford
CF mentioned he'd have a busy time with studies this week so won't be around until early evening most days.
1700 hours to be precise
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
1. Len Hutton
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Barry Richards
4. Bob Simpson
5. Geoffrey Boycott
6. Gordon Greenidge
7. Arthur Morris
8. Graeme Smith
9. Bill Lawry
10. Matthew Hayden
unlucky to miss out:
Dennis Amiss
Justin Langer
Glen Turner
Eddie Barlow
Graham Gooch
Virender Sehwag
and others
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Barry Richards
4. Bob Simpson
5. Geoffrey Boycott
6. Gordon Greenidge
7. Arthur Morris
8. Graeme Smith
9. Bill Lawry
10. Matthew Hayden
unlucky to miss out:
Dennis Amiss
Justin Langer
Glen Turner
Eddie Barlow
Graham Gooch
Virender Sehwag
and others
Last edited by Mad for Chelsea on Tue 06 Dec 2011, 10:37 pm; edited 3 times in total
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Guys - thanks for the update on Mr CricketFan and his studies. We should always look after our own. I'll tell the Corporal to stand down the search patrol.
Mad - that seems a mighty fine list although you're wrong about Richards ....
.... he should be higher!
Mad - that seems a mighty fine list although you're wrong about Richards ....
.... he should be higher!
guildfordbat- Posts : 16889
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Based on potential and ability, yes. Based on achievement, alas no. Cruelly, it wasn't through any fault of his own, but we must let our disappointment and 'what could have been' thoughts to one side on this one, and as such I find it hard (but regretful) to place Richards anywhere near a top 7 say.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists - I'll say a bit more about Richards tonight.
Meanwhile, to briefly mention another South African who doesn't seem to have had a look in yet - JDizzle's one time batting coach, the late Eddie Barlow. Being a bit older than Richards, he managed to play 30 tests before the apartheid ban came in. Test average of almost 46 with 15 fifties (one every other test) and 6 centuries including 201 in an away test against Australia.
That all holds up pretty well against some of those already in the frame ....
Meanwhile, to briefly mention another South African who doesn't seem to have had a look in yet - JDizzle's one time batting coach, the late Eddie Barlow. Being a bit older than Richards, he managed to play 30 tests before the apartheid ban came in. Test average of almost 46 with 15 fifties (one every other test) and 6 centuries including 201 in an away test against Australia.
That all holds up pretty well against some of those already in the frame ....
guildfordbat- Posts : 16889
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Saeed Anwar is another plausible candidate who appears to have gone unmentioned so far. (Until now that is )
Hoggy_Bear- Posts : 2202
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
I did think of Anwar but see him as a top tenner when we do our ODI top 10 categories
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
1.Sunil Gavakar
2.Len Hutton
3.Virender Sehwag
4.Matthew Hayden
5.Gordon Greenidge
6.Geoffrey Boycott
7.Graeme Smith
8.Marvan Attapattu
9.Justin Langer
10.Saeed Anwar
FISTS read the 'CRICKET SECTION' thread u will see my reasoning for not being around until 3pm-4pm
2.Len Hutton
3.Virender Sehwag
4.Matthew Hayden
5.Gordon Greenidge
6.Geoffrey Boycott
7.Graeme Smith
8.Marvan Attapattu
9.Justin Langer
10.Saeed Anwar
FISTS read the 'CRICKET SECTION' thread u will see my reasoning for not being around until 3pm-4pm
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
You're early
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
interesting list cf, the only one I really disagree with on there is Atapattu, who averaged slightly below 40 (which isn't all that great), and to my memory had a very large amount of ducks (or at least failures) which isn't desirable in an opening batsman. Any particular reason you went with him?
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
I may very well put Richards at no 1 to be honest.
I know people say things about Shewag, but in pure talent terms he is up there with the best of all time. And his achievements aren't bad either. He makes my top 10.
It is a shame we have to restrict ourselves to post-war, as Hobbs and Sutcliffe were shoe-ins, and Trumper and Ponsford would have had decent shouts.
I'm surprised MfC rates Simpson and Lawry above Morris, I rate Morris very highly and he'd probably be very close to an all-time Australian 11.
Hutton and Gavaskar are easy inclusions.
Greenidge is another who should make it comfortably. How many have I got so far?
In no particular order for now
Richards
Shewag
Hutton
Gavaskar
Hayden
Greenidge
Morris
Boycott
Haynes
Amiss
I know people say things about Shewag, but in pure talent terms he is up there with the best of all time. And his achievements aren't bad either. He makes my top 10.
It is a shame we have to restrict ourselves to post-war, as Hobbs and Sutcliffe were shoe-ins, and Trumper and Ponsford would have had decent shouts.
I'm surprised MfC rates Simpson and Lawry above Morris, I rate Morris very highly and he'd probably be very close to an all-time Australian 11.
Hutton and Gavaskar are easy inclusions.
Greenidge is another who should make it comfortably. How many have I got so far?
In no particular order for now
Richards
Shewag
Hutton
Gavaskar
Hayden
Greenidge
Morris
Boycott
Haynes
Amiss
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
solid against the new ball, hung around didnt get flustered at the crease, and kept things calm.
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
I think, if I am being consistent, I can't have Barry Richards higher than 5. As with all other players from that era of South African exclusion (Procter, Pollock, even Barlow!) I haven't put them above 4/5 due to them not playing enough Tests. To place them with the likes of Hutton and Gavaskar is a little unfair on those names, as Richards may well have gone on to have a Test career like the two of them and, listening to people who saw him bat like Guildford, it seems likely that he would have done. But I can't change my way of voting now and I must have some consistency so despite his enormous potential I can't have him as high as two or three. It's a dreadful shame that his career was cut short but I can't let potential influence me too much.
Regarding Barlow, even as a great fan I can't quite find room for him in my top 10. Looking at some of the names thrown out so far this really is a tough category. I might sneak him in at 10, but the competition is really touch for this one.
Regarding Barlow, even as a great fan I can't quite find room for him in my top 10. Looking at some of the names thrown out so far this really is a tough category. I might sneak him in at 10, but the competition is really touch for this one.
JDizzle- Posts : 6927
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Mike, is having great hand-eye co-ordination enough to be classed as one of the most talented of all time? I'm not so sure.
It is a gift, most definitely, but I see talent as having both that and the ability to play the more technically difficult strokes - hardly something which Sehwag possesses as he stands flat footed and slashes at everything in sight.
Very good opener, top 10 yes, but not challenging the best ever, for my money.
It is a gift, most definitely, but I see talent as having both that and the ability to play the more technically difficult strokes - hardly something which Sehwag possesses as he stands flat footed and slashes at everything in sight.
Very good opener, top 10 yes, but not challenging the best ever, for my money.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Mike
Bobby Simpson averages well over fifty when opening the batting (about 56), and I admired Lawry for his many very fine (if dull) knocks against some great bowling attacks. Morris was slightly inconsistent after a fantastic start, and possibly faced less quality of opposition than Lawry did. He just misses out.
On reflection, Lawry is probably a tad high, so he's dropping down a couple of spots.
Bobby Simpson averages well over fifty when opening the batting (about 56), and I admired Lawry for his many very fine (if dull) knocks against some great bowling attacks. Morris was slightly inconsistent after a fantastic start, and possibly faced less quality of opposition than Lawry did. He just misses out.
On reflection, Lawry is probably a tad high, so he's dropping down a couple of spots.
Last edited by Mad for Chelsea on Tue 06 Dec 2011, 3:25 pm; edited 1 time in total
Mad for Chelsea- Posts : 12103
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Bradman said Morris was the best opener he ever saw. His word of course isn't gospel.
Stella- Posts : 6671
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Fists,
It is not just great hand-eye coordination, it is also fast hands, great timing and his ability to hit a long ball. Perhaps "talented" isn't the right word (as I touched on in a previous thread, the word is ill-used anyway), perhaps "freakish" would be best. But there are only 3 batsmen playing today who have the ability to make sit up and go "wow": Shewag is one of them.
It is not just great hand-eye coordination, it is also fast hands, great timing and his ability to hit a long ball. Perhaps "talented" isn't the right word (as I touched on in a previous thread, the word is ill-used anyway), perhaps "freakish" would be best. But there are only 3 batsmen playing today who have the ability to make sit up and go "wow": Shewag is one of them.
Mike Selig- Posts : 4295
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
Mad for Chelsea wrote:Mike
Bobby Simpson averages well over fifty when opening the batting (about 56), and I admired Lawry played many very fine (if dull) knocks against some great bowling attacks. Morris was slightly inconsistent after a fantastic start, and possibly faced less quality of opposition than Lawry did. He just misses out.
On reflection, Lawry is probably a tad high, so he's dropping down a couple of spots.
I didn't know Simpson averaged that high. I may have to reconsider. Anyone here see him play?
Mike Selig- Posts : 4295
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Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
No doubting that, I thoroughly enjoy watching him dismantle bowlers when it isn't England on the receiving end.
Re: 606v2 Greatest Test Opening Batsmen Rankings
JDizzle wrote: Barry Richards ....
.... To place .. with the likes of Hutton and Gavaskar is a little unfair on those names, as Richards may well have gone on to have a Test career like the two of them and, listening to people who saw him bat like Guildford, it seems likely that he would have done.
JDizzle - indeed, I had that honour and that is what it was.
You use the words ''seems likely''. That is such a massive understatement. Off hand, I cannot think of any greater certainty in cricket or in life.
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