Wisden Ranks All-Time Best

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Here is the list of players Wisden ranked as the all-time best. The rankinds are based on each performance and various different factors.

TEST BATSMEN:
1.Sir Donald Bradman (Australia)
2.Sachin Tendulkar (India)
3.Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)
4.Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies)
5.Alan Border (Australia)
6.Jack Hobbs (England)
7.Ken Barrington (England)
8.Sunil Gavaskar (India)
9.Greg Chappell (Australia)
10.Brian Lara (West Indies)

TEST BOWLERS:
1.Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
2.Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
3.Sydney Barnes (England)
4.Shane Warne (Australia)
5.Clarrie Grimmett (Australia)
6.Glenn McGrath (Australia)
7.Dennis Lillee (Australia)
8.Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)
9.Imran Khan (Pakistan)
10.Courtney Walsh (West Indies)


ODI BATSMEN:
1.Sir Vivian Richards (West Indies)
2.Sachin Tendulkar (India)
3.Brian Lara (West Indies)
4.Dean Jones (Australia)
5.Michael Bevan (Australia)
6.Sourav Ganguly (India)
7.Mark Waugh (Australia)
8.Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan)
9.Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
10.Saeed Anwar (Pakistan)

ODI BOWLERS:
1.Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
2.Allan Donald (South Africa)
3.Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
4.Glenn McGrath (Australia)
5.Joel Garner (West Indies)
6.Saqlain Mushtaq (Pakistan)
7.Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
8.Shaun Pollock (South Africa)
9.Shane Warne (Australia)
10.Dennis Lillee (Australia)

I personally don't agree with some of the omissions. For example, where is Ambrose? Worse yet....where is Agarkar???

 

[Kimbo]

Malcolm Marshall?

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Surely you don't have an objection to Malcolm Marshall?! The man was a genious and was...is one of the greatest players ever!

You can't argue with 376 Test wickets at 20.94 apiece! SR of 46.7!!

 

[Eyes_Only]

I don't have a problem with Marshall being on the list but how is Murli world's best bowler when he is known as a thrower?

 

[Gotchya]

So many all timers are still playing !

Saeed Anwar is a refreshing inclusion there, he has been given far less accolade then he actually deserves.

 

[Gotchya]

Imran is a bit low ?


OMG !!! Saurav Ganguly ???!!!! that tops it ! how did they ?

 

[royGilchrist]

Actually these are pretty good lists in my opinion, I havent checked the stats but I think Miandad and possibly S Waugh could have made it in ODI batsmen. But the thing is that playing lower than 3 hurts one badly, except for Bevan and Richards most others have batted up the order most of their careers.

Also it would be interesting to see Lillee's ODI record, couldnt have played that many games. And Marshall should be definetely in the top 5 in tests bowling and Walsh should not be there unless there is heavy emphasis on longevity., Ambrose could easily replace him.

I fully agree with Murli at number 1. Thats a lock in, and if ICC allows him to play (which personally I think they are should not) then he should be treated just like any other bowler.

 

[Gotchya]

Originally posted by Eyes_Only
I don't have a problem with Marshall being on the list but how is Murli world's best bowler when he is known as a thrower?

aww come on now !

 

[Gotchya]

Originally posted by royGilchrist
Actually these are pretty good lists in my opinion, I havent checked the stats but I think Miandad and possibly S Waugh could have made it in ODI batsmen. But the thing is that playing lower than 3 hurts one badly, except for Bevan and Richards most others have batted up the order most of their careers.

Also it would be interesting to see Lillee's ODI record, couldnt have played that many games. And Marshall should be definetely in the top 5 in tests bowling and Walsh should not be there unless there is heavy emphasis on longevity., Ambrose could easily replace him.

I fully agree with Murli at number 1. Thats a lock in, and if ICC allows him to play (which personally I think they are should not) then he should be treated just like any other bowler.

Alright ur good at these things, how do you account for Ganguly at 6 and Miandad not there ?

 

[age_master]

i think bevan should be higher and i also think that Hayden should be oon the test abttong list

and gilly on te ODi list, maybe shewag as well

 

[Gotchya]

I dont think 'pinch hitters' would find it easy to make it into this list.

 

[Tim]

Despite Hayden being a prolific batsman in the last 2 years, he was a late-starter and hasn't averaged 50 for a long period like Tendulkar or Lara.

I think if Hayden continues like he is doing, then maybe in 3 or 4 years time there will be a place for him on that top 10 list.

 

[royGilchrist]

First of all Gotchya one thing that I have noticed is the difficulty for people to compare players of different era. Some people unconciously give an advantage to older players, and others giving an advantage to younger players. One should analyze them purely on merit irrespective of when they played.

how do you account for Ganguly at 6 and Miandad not there ?

Yeh tough call, but ganguly has a better average than Miandad and a better strike rate as well, but in terms of intangibles I think Miandad won a lot of matches for Pakistan and was a crucial part of keeping the team competitive. Most of his important innings will not improve his strike rate and average i.e. WC92 final, but without that innings Pakistan would have been embarrased in that match, would have got out for less than 100 probably (just like in WC99). Even the faous Austrailasia cup innings back in the day, is probably the best ODI of all time, atleast among the top 5.

Another thing that I like about this list is the absence of an all rounder list. Its such a grey area and there is always never-ending debates about the definition of an allrounder. No one is really not sure what 'all rounder' means.

Sobers is unbelieveable, fourth on all time batting, and 235 wkts and also more than 100 catches!

And BTW, I was wrong about S Waugh possibly being part of ODI list

 

[Rik]

I don't see the problem with Murali...the guy doesn't mean to do it, it's been cleared by the ICC, yet former umpires decide to slag him off just as he's getting back to fitness, I feel because they are trying mental games with him before he plays. If he's allowed to play then he should be counted, after all he's taken 9 Wickets in an innings 2 times! And but for a dropped catch he could have got the best Test Figures in History! He also has the 2nd best ODI Bowling Figures by the way...

One last comment...if you were in his shoes and you didn't feel you threw...but all these people thought you did...what would you do? Come on guys, it's only a game :rolleyes:

 

[Gotchya]

Yeah. Hayden has made a strong case for himself by this amazing run of form. If he does it consistently over the next few years, he would definitely be up there.

 

[Kimbo]

sorry i am blind! i didnt see marshall on the list and wondered why not. but of course he is there. dont worry , i think the man was a genius!

 

[Gotchya]

one thing that I have noticed is the difficulty for people to compare players of different era.

Thats nothing new I suppose. And I resign that it is a very tough job to do. I dont envy those guys that formulate these things..

 

[hourn]

Wisden 100: All-time Test batting table

Pos, Name, Country, Inns, Runs, Ave, Rating

1 DG Bradman Aus 80 6996 99.94 1349.0
2 SR Tendulkar Ind 165 8711 58.46 921.5
3 IVA Richards WI 182 8540 50.24 913.9
4 GA Sobers WI 160 8032 57.78 912.0
5 AR Border Aus 265 11174 50.56 911.2
6 JB Hobbs Eng 102 5410 56.95 908.8
7 KF Barrington Eng 131 6806 58.67 907.3
8 SM Gavaskar Ind 214 10122 51.12 902.2
9 GS Chappell Aus 151 7110 53.86 889.2
10 BC Lara WI 157 7572 49.49 881.9

11 L Hutton Eng 138 6971 56.67 879.1
12 H Sutcliffe Eng 84 4555 60.73 874.7
13 Javed Miandad Pak 189 8832 52.57 872.6
14 EdeC Weekes WI 81 4455 58.62 871.3
15 CL Walcott WI 74 3798 56.69 858.6
16 SR Waugh Aus 241 9840 49.45 850.7
17 GA Headley WI 40 2190 60.83 846.4
18 G Boycott Eng 193 8114 47.73 845.0
19 RG Pollock SA 41 2256 60.97 844.6
20 WR Hammond Eng 140 7249 58.46 844.1

21 R Dravid Ind 114 5483 54.29 835.3
22 GA Gooch Eng 215 8900 42.58 831.3
23 CH Lloyd WI 175 7515 46.68 830.9
24 ML Hayden Aus 60 2977 53.16 825.6
25 AC Gilchrist Aus 52 2434 57.95 825.4
26 Inzamam-ul-Haq Pak 136 6091 49.52 824.8
27 RN Harvey Aus 137 6149 48.42 818.4
28 CG Greenidge WI 185 7558 44.72 816.3
29 PBH May Eng 106 4537 46.77 812.9
30 DI Gower Eng 204 8231 44.25 803.9

31 RB Kanhai WI 137 6227 47.53 799.5
32 MC Cowdrey Eng 188 7624 44.07 799.3
33 KD Walters Aus 125 5357 48.26 786.7
34 DCS Compton Eng 131 5807 50.06 786.5
35 RB Richardson WI 146 5949 44.40 785.0
36 MA Taylor Aus 186 7525 43.50 784.7
37 DL Haynes WI 202 7487 42.30 782.2
38 JH Kallis SA 105 4350 50.00 777.2
39 DC Boon Aus 190 7422 43.66 774.2
40 A Flower Zim 112 4794 51.55 771.7

41 ME Waugh Aus 209 8029 41.82 763.8
42 AD Nourse SA 62 2960 53.82 763.6
43 AJ Stewart Eng 223 8080 39.80 761.6
44 RB Simpson Aus 111 4869 46.82 759.0
45 Saeed Anwar Pak 91 4052 45.53 756.9
46 RT Ponting Aus 97 4195 49.35 754.0
47 Yousuf Youhana Pak 67 3045 49.11 750.1
48 WM Lawry Aus 123 5234 47.15 746.0
49 GR Viswanath Ind 155 6080 41.93 744.9
50 AI Kallicharran WI 109 4399 44.43 744.1

51 DPMD Jayawardene SL 75 3351 47.87 743.7
52 AL Hassett Aus 69 3073 46.56 743.2
53 MD Crowe NZ 131 5444 45.37 741.8
54 FMM Worrell WI 87 3860 49.49 741.4
55 ER Dexter Eng 102 4502 47.89 741.0
56 MA Atherton Eng 212 7728 37.70 740.8
57 AR Morris Aus 79 3533 46.49 739.3
58 IR Redpath Aus 120 4737 43.46 737.2
59 MJ Slater Aus 131 5312 42.84 737.2
60 G Kirsten SA 153 6058 42.96 737.1

61 Salim Malik Pak 154 5768 43.70 736.2
62 MP Vaughan Eng 45 2004 47.71 732.6
63 GM Turner NZ 73 2991 44.64 732.6
64 M Azharuddin Ind 147 6215 45.04 731.5
65 SM Nurse WI 54 2523 47.60 730.0
66 TW Graveney Eng 123 4882 44.38 729.0
67 JH Edrich Eng 127 5138 43.54 728.9
68 PA de Silva SL 159 6361 42.98 722.8
69 B Mitchell SA 80 3471 48.89 721.3
70 DJ Cullinan SA 115 4554 44.21 720.1

71 S Chanderpaul WI 101 3863 44.40 719.0
72 DB Vengsarkar Ind 185 6868 42.13 716.5
73 AW Grieg Eng 93 3599 40.44 714.9
74 RC Fredericks WI 109 4334 42.49 714.7
75 GP Thorpe Eng 140 5109 41.88 714.7
76 RA Smith Eng 112 4236 43.67 711.3
77 SJ McCabe Aus 62 2748 48.21 710.8
78 IM Chappell Aus 136 5345 42.42 708.8
79 DM Jones Aus 89 3631 46.55 705.1
80 CC McDonald Aus 83 3107 39.33 701.7

81 HH Gibbs SA 69 2805 41.87 700.7
82 JL Langer Aus 93 3775 42.90 700.4
83 NC O'Neill Aus 69 2779 45.56 700.2
84 Hanif Mohammad Pak 97 3915 43.99 698.6
85 RM Cowper Aus 46 2061 46.84 698.6
86 CC Hunte WI 78 3245 45.07 697.7
87 EJ Barlow SA 57 2516 45.75 696.1
88 VS Hazare Ind 52 2192 47.65 692.1
89 DL Amiss Eng 88 3612 46.31 691.8
90 Zaheer Abbas Pak 124 5062 44.80 688.6

91 JG Wright NZ 148 5334 37.83 686.4
92 KC Wessels Aus/SA 71 2788 41.00 684.8
93 VVS Laxman Ind 68 2660 43.61 678.5
94 DJ McGlew SA 64 2440 42.07 680.1
95 BF Butcher WI 78 3104 43.11 679.1
96 KJ Hughes Aus 124 4415 37.42 678.4
97 C Hill Aus 89 3412 39.22 676.7
98 M Amarnath Ind 113 4378 42.50 675.6
99 WH Ponsford Aus 48 2122 48.23 675.2
100 WM Woodfull Aus 54 2300 46.00 672.7

How The Ratings Work

For Test batting, the 12 factors considered are:

* Batting Base Points are allocated for runs scored. Brian Lara's 375, the highest in Test cricket, receives the highest index value

* Pitch Index is based on runs scored and wickets taken in the match. Normalising is done to take care of wide variations. Additional normalisation is done to reflect the effects of uncovered pitches in the early days of Test cricket

* Bowling Quality reflects the calibre of bowlers used in the innings. A minimum of four and a maximum of five bowlers are included. Care is taken that the fifth bowler, if an irregular one, does not lower the index excessively

* Percentage of Score measures the percentage of the team's runs scored in the innings. Charles Bannerman's 165 out of 245 in the first Test ever played remains the highest percentage (67.35%) of any completed innings total

* Point of Entry assesses the position when the batsman comes in, and distinguishes between 5 for 1, 27 for 2, 35 for 3 and so on. For the first innings of a Test, the index is absolute. For the other three innings, the index is linked to a target score, exact for the last innings and notional for the middle two

* After Point of Entry reflects the difference between coming in to bat at, say, 10 for 2, and the third wicket then adding 100, rather than a further slump to 20 for 4

* Wickets Falling During Innings takes into account the number of wickets which went down at the other end. An opener who carries his bat obviously receives the most points in this category

* Support reflects the assistance received by the batsman during his innings, based on the size of the next-highest score of any player who batted during the innings

* Shepherding of the Tail takes into account how the player nursed the late-order batsmen and built partnerships. The highest value is given to a batsman involved in four significant stands during his innings

* Highest Score points are given to the innings if it is the highest for the team. This is the lowest-weighted factor

* Match Status is a complex index which reflects the context of the match. The highest value is given for a successful and close fourth-innings run-chase (like Brian Lara's 153 not out) or a great matchwinning innings after a follow-on, such as Laxman's 281

* Result Contribution is based on the sum of the previous 11 index values, and reflects the value of the player's contribution to the match result. Full points are given for wins, and 30% of those points for draws (or ties). Additional credit is given for away wins

 

[age_master]

Lara and Tendulkar arn't that great, they tend to have goo innings and crap innings and long runs of form, good and bad

 

[hourn]

Wisden 100: All-time Test bowling table

Pos, Name, Country, Tests, Wickets, Ave, Rating

1 M Muralitharan SL 78 437 23.53 1320.4
2 RJ Hadlee NZ 86 431 22.30 1232.9
3 SF Barnes Eng 27 189 16.43 1209.3
4 SK Warne Aus 107 491 25.71 1195.8
5 CV Grimmett Aus 37 216 24.22 1184.8
6 GD McGrath Aus 90 420 21.36 1158.4
7 DK Lillee Aus 70 355 23.92 1153.1
8 MD Marshall WI 81 376 20.95 1143.2
9 Imran Khan Pak 88 362 22.81 1123.7
10 CA Walsh WI 132 519 24.44 1115.8

11 WJ O'Reilly Aus 27 144 22.60 1111.1
12 CEL Ambrose WI 98 405 20.99 1109.4
13 AA Donald SA 72 330 22.25 1097.8
14 A Kumble Ind 76 349 27.98 1087.0
15 Wasim Akram Pak 104 414 23.62 1084.4
16 FS Trueman Eng 67 307 21.58 1082.2
17 Waqar Younis Pak 84 364 23.29 1065.0
18 IT Botham Eng 102 383 28.40 1029.7
19 J Garner WI 58 259 20.98 1025.1
20 SM Pollock SA 66 270 20.85 1018.7

21 GA Lohmann Aus 18 112 10.76 1016.1
22 AV Bedser Eng 51 236 24.90 1010.6
23 CTB Turner Aus 17 101 16.53 998.8
24 CJ McDermott Aus 71 291 28.63 990.3
25 BA Reid Aus 27 113 24.64 986.2
26 D Gough Eng 56 228 27.58 984.8
27 Kapil Dev Ind 131 434 29.65 979.9
28 HJ Tayfield SA 27 170 25.91 974.0
29 MA Holding WI 60 249 23.69 960.5
30 BS Chandrasekhar Ind 58 242 29.75 956.4

31 BS Bedi Ind 67 266 28.17 954.1
32 Saqlain Mushtaq Pak 45 198 28.12 952.4
33 RGD Willis Eng 90 325 25.20 951.7
34 R Peel Eng 20 102 16.81 944.2
35 JC Laker Eng 46 193 21.25 939.8
36 AK Davidson Aus 44 186 20.53 938.7
37 Fazal Mahmood Pak 34 139 24.71 938.4
38 GD McKenzie Aus 60 246 29.79 936.6
39 LR Gibbs WI 79 309 29.09 936.4
40 TM Alderman Aus 41 170 27.15 928.9

41 MW Tate Eng 39 155 26.16 926.3
42 CEH Croft WI 27 125 23.30 926.0
43 MG Hughes Aus 53 212 28.38 924.8
44 AME Roberts WI 47 202 25.61 919.5
45 RR Lindwall Aus 61 228 23.03 916.8
46 R Benaud Aus 63 248 27.03 913.0
47 GF Lawson Aus 46 180 30.56 909.6
48 JR Thomson Aus 51 200 28.01 907.5
49 ARC Fraser Eng 46 177 27.32 905.6
50 DL Underwood Eng 86 297 25.84 903.1

51 JA Snow Eng 49 202 26.67 901.7
52 JB Statham Eng 70 252 24.85 898.8
53 WA Johnston Aus 40 160 23.91 896.0
54 Harbhajan Singh Ind 31 139 26.88 893.8
55 WW Hall WI 48 192 26.39 894.1
56 IR Bishop WI 43 161 24.29 893.6
57 C Blythe Eng 19 100 18.63 893.1
58 AR Caddick Eng 60 220 30.03 891.8
59 H Trumble Aus 32 141 21.79 887.7
60 CL Cairns NZ 55 197 28.81 878.9

61 Abdul Qadir Pak 67 236 32.81 877.9
62 MHN Walker Aus 34 138 27.48 873.2
63 Mushtaq Ahmed Pak 50 183 32.25 866.0
64 PM Pollock SA 28 116 24.19 862.6
65 SP Gupte Ind 36 149 29.55 859.9
66 NAT Adcock SA 26 104 21.11 859.0
67 HH Streak Zim 51 180 26.97 853.7
68 MH Mankad Ind 44 162 32.32 844.0
69 J Briggs Eng 33 118 17.75 842.4
70 H Verity Eng 40 144 24.38 838.4

71 DG Cork Eng 37 131 29.82 836.6
72 J Srinath Ind 67 236 30.47 835.6
73 EAS Prasanna Ind 49 189 30.38 833.4
74 KR Miller Aus 55 170 22.98 831.6
75 GAR Lock Eng 49 174 25.58 830.6
76 G Giffen Aus 31 103 27.10 828.5
77 Iqbal Qasim Pak 50 171 28.11 825.1
78 M Dillon WI 30 112 30.45 823.4
79 JN Gillespie Aus 37 137 26.18 822.9
80 S Ramadhin WI 43 158 28.98 821.0

81 DK Morrison NZ 48 160 34.68 818.8
82 AL Valentine WI 36 139 30.32 816.3
83 B Yardley Aus 33 126 31.63 813.6
84 WPUJC Vaas SL 64 206 30.31 813.6
85 BR Taylor NZ 30 111 26.60 808.6
86 GR Dilley Eng 41 138 29.76 805.3
87 DR Doshi Ind 33 114 30.72 803.3
88 JH Wardle Eng 28 102 20.39 787.3
89 Sarfraz Nawaz Pak 55 177 32.76 787.2
90 AA Mallett Aus 38 132 29.85 778.0

91 DL Vettori NZ 42 139 33.86 772.9
92 GG Arnold Eng 34 115 28.30 765.1
93 DA Allen Eng 39 122 30.98 758.6
94 CM Old Eng 46 143 28.11 757.6
95 AN Connolly Aus 29 102 29.23 755.8
96 DVP Wright Eng 34 108 39.11 748.4
97 RO Collinge NZ 35 116 29.25 746.2
98 PR Adams SA 36 106 31.63 738.4
99 PAJ Defreitas Eng 44 140 33.57 736.7
100 RM Hogg Aus 38 123 28.45 730.1


How the ratings work

For Test bowling, the 8 factors considered are:

* Bowling Base Points are given for wickets taken. Obviously, the 10-wicket hauls of Jim Laker and Anil Kumble receive the most points

* Pitch Index is based on runs scored and wickets taken in the match. Some normalising has been done to take care of wide variations, and to reflect the effects of uncovered pitches in the early days of Test cricket

* Batting Quality assesses the calibre of the first seven players in the batting order

* Dismissed Batsman Quality rates the calibre of the batsmen actually dismissed by the bowler. Importantly, it distinguishes between a bowlers who dismisses five top-order batsmen, and one who mops up the tail. Extra points are scored if a highly rated batsman is dismissed for a low score

* Bowling Accuracy reflects the bowler's economy rate. Jim Laker's 10-53 at Old Trafford in 1956 receives more points than his 9-37 primarily because he bowled 51.2 overs during the 10-wicket haul (conceding a shade over one run an over) but 16.4 overs in the first innings (conceding more than two an over)

* Most Wickets is the lowest-rated factor, and is awarded if the analysis is the team's best during the innings

* Match Status is a complex index which reflects the context of the match. The highest value is given for successfully defending a low fourth-innings target, like Hugh Tayfield's 9-113 or Fanie de Villiers's 6-43

* Result Contribution is based on the sum of the previous seven index values, and reflects the value of the player's contribution to the match result. Full points are given for wins, and 30% of those points for draws (or ties). Additional credit is given for away wins.