Who has been the worst ever best batsman in the world?

[silentstriker]

I guess I didn't learn from pasag's thread. This is an interesting question. Let's keep it post WW-I.

Let's see, since about 2002, it would be Ponting (though maybe someone else in the last year or two?). Before that Tendulkar, Lara or Waugh. There was a time though in between Tendulkar and Lara coming on to the scene, and Chappell, Gavaskar, Richards all retired, who was the best batsman around that time? He could have a shot.

 

[bagapath]

I guess I didn't learn from pasag's thread. This is an interesting question. Let's keep it post WW-I.

Let's see, since about 2002, it would be Ponting (though maybe someone else in the last year or two?). Before that Tendulkar, Lara or Waugh. There was a time though in between Tendulkar and Lara coming on to the scene, and Chappell, Gavaskar, Richards all retired, who was the best batsman around that time? He could have a shot.

even when richards and gavaskar were around for some time vengsarkar was the best batsman in the world in around 87, 88

he would be a strong candidate

 

[subshakerz]

Graham Gooch in the early 90s? Or was it Martin Crowe?

 

[grecian]

Yeah, Gooch for me, I'm afraid, Azharuddin, Salim Malik, Richardson, and Crowe would of been other contenders at the time, None all-timers I'd suggest.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Mohammad Yousuf.

 

[Uppercut]

Mohammad Yousuf.

My original thought on reading the thread title, but then I thought, if he's the worst-best-batsman-ever having played at the same time as Ponting and Tendulkar, really he was never the best batsman.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

My original thought on reading the thread title, but then I thought, if he's the worst-best-batsman-ever having played at the same time as Ponting and Tendulkar, really he was never the best batsman.

I just assumed he topped the rankings during his freak year but I'm not sure as I pay little attention to such things.

 

[Uppercut]

Hmm i think you're right, but i don't think SS meant the worst technically-number-one batsman in the world.

 

[0RI0N]

even when richards and gavaskar were around for some time vengsarkar was the best batsman in the world in around 87, 88

he would be a strong candidate

---
didnt vengsarkar have his brilliant 2yrs roundabout 86 till 88? had brilliant 100's at lords n leeds.real greentops, he gave a masterclass in how to play on seaming wickets.
Hundred against wi in ind also.
He'd get my vote for worst best.

 

[G.I.Joe]

Jason Gillespie for a brief period after the 200.

 

[Furball]

Michael Vaughan.

 

[Langeveldt]

Kevin Pietersen

 

[Evermind]

Kevin Pietersen

Maybe after Tendulkar and Ponting have retired?

 

[Langeveldt]

Maybe after Tendulkar and Ponting have retired?

Agreed, perhaps though in the one day game he has been considered the worlds best at some time or another? Pre-Hussey?

 

[Evermind]

Agreed, perhaps though in the one day game he has been considered the worlds best at some time or another? Pre-Hussey?

I suppose, but the one-day game is such that there seems to be a new "world's best" every six months. The ODI game is far too fickle.

But I'd say Hussey is the best ATM, yeah. The guy might end up a freak like Bevan.

 

[Jono]

Pasag and SS should make it clear this isnt based on rankings but popular opinion.

 

[thierry henry]

I don't think it's that far-fetched to say Mo-Yo was ranked #1 during his period of awesomeness, he was just going that well.

I also don't know if you could genuinely say he was the worst-best ever, cos he's pretty good imo.....and he sort of never had a chance to come back down to earth properly, maybe if he'd been playing tests for the last 18 months or so with moderate results he would have.

 

[silentstriker]

Pasag and SS should make it clear this isnt based on rankings but popular opinion.

I think people can choose by rankings if they want. That would be an interesting exercise too. Who is the worst overall batsman that has held the title of being the best batsman in the world via rankings at any point in their career.

 

[silentstriker]

I don't think it's that far-fetched to say Mo-Yo was ranked #1 during his period of awesomeness, he was just going that well.

I also don't know if you could genuinely say he was the worst-best ever, cos he's pretty good imo.....and he sort of never had a chance to come back down to earth properly, maybe if he'd been playing tests for the last 18 months or so with moderate results he would have.

I would say he was better than Vengsarakar though. I'd put Yousuf in my all time XI over Vengsarkar.

 

[jeevan]

I would say he was better than Vengsarakar though. I'd put Yousuf in my all time XI over Vengsarkar.

The strongest attack that Yousuf cashed in against in 2006 was Hoggard-Harmison-Panesar (no Flintoff, no Simon Jones), unless you count Pathan-Agarkar-Harbhajan as being better. In 2007, when he faced Ntini-Nel-Kallis (not even Steyn) and Zaheer-Munaf-Kumble-Harbhajan on just dead flat Indian wickets, his average fell from 100 to 40. (Ad when he faced Warne-McGrath, he was still Yohana, so it doesnt count).

Atleast when Vengsarkar was at his peak he played (and averaged 80+) against Imran, Walsh, John Lever, McDermott, Bruce Reid (ie more or less the best on offer in 85-88).

Though I fail to see how either of these can make any all time XI's, Vengsarkar might not even have a shot at an Indian all time XI.