Is Laxman a great batsman?

[shankar]

Laxman began this habit of playing these backs-to-the-wall knocks very early in his career. I'm talking about this knock in his first match vs South africa against Donald and co. In India's second inings he came in with the effective lead at 61/4 which soon became 70/5. He put on partnerships (while constantly chanting mantras(?) under his breath) with Joshi and Kumble to take the final lead to a defendable 170. His 51 was India's top score for the match. India then proceeded to win the match with Srinath bowling a dream spell !

 

[vcs]

Laxman began this habit of playing these backs-to-the-wall knocks very early in his career. I'm talking about this knock in his first match vs South africa against Donald and co. In India's second inings he came in with the effective lead at 61/4 which soon became 70/5. He put on partnerships (while constantly chanting mantras(?) under his breath) with Joshi and Kumble to take the final lead to a defendable 170. His 51 was India's top score for the match. India then proceeded to win the match with Srinath bowling a dream spell !

Remember that match vividly... Srinath's spell was so awesome.

 

[shankar]

Remember that match vividly... Srinath's spell was so awesome.

It was! 6 wickets in 12 overs and thrice on-a-hattrick. Probably the best spell of his career.

 

[Dissector]

Laxman began this habit of playing these backs-to-the-wall knocks very early in his career. I'm talking about this knock in his first match vs South africa against Donald and co. In India's second inings he came in with the effective lead at 61/4 which soon became 70/5. He put on partnerships (while constantly chanting mantras(?) under his breath) with Joshi and Kumble to take the final lead to a defendable 170. His 51 was India's top score for the match. India then proceeded to win the match with Srinath bowling a dream spell !

Great find. I remember this match too, but had no idea Laxman had played such a crucial role in it.

 

[Blaze 18]

Yes Laxman's average has never reached 50..but averages are not everything. Viv Richards barely managed 50 yet would I pick Jayawardene, Kallis, Sangakkara, Ponting, Lara over Richards? Not in a thousand years.

I totally understand the point you are trying to make, but including Brian Lara's name in that category is criminal.

 

[Prince EWS]

I totally understand the point you are trying to make, but including Brian Lara's name in that category is criminal.

You have a sweaty man crush on Brian Lara though tbf.

 

[Blaze 18]

You have a sweaty man crush on Brian Lara though tbf.

Nah, just don't see how he can possibly be grouped with Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Kallis and Ponting (fine batsmen though they undoubtedly are). Let us be fair here, if we are talking about batsmen who tend to wilt under pressure, Brian Lara's hardly a great example.

 

[Black_Warrior]

Nah, just don't see how he can possibly be grouped with Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Kallis and Ponting (fine batsmen though they undoubtedly are). Let us be fair here, if we are talking about batsmen who tend to wilt under pressure, Brian Lara's hardly a great example.

Please do not misunderstand me. I did not try to imply that Sangakkara and Lara are in the same category. Never. I was merely listing the batsmen who have a higher batting average than Viv Richards and the fact that I would pick Richards over Lara.

Brian Lara's hardly a great example

Nope he is not an example at all. He has shown on various occasions how good he is under pressure. I just think Richards did that on more occasions and did a better job.

 

[Prince EWS]

Nah, just don't see how he can possibly be grouped with Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Kallis and Ponting (fine batsmen though they undoubtedly are). Let us be fair here, if we are talking about batsmen who tend to wilt under pressure, Brian Lara's hardly a great example.

I wasn't just talking about that post. Ultimately I disagree with what you just said but it wasn't my point.

 

[vcs]

Nah, just don't see how he can possibly be grouped with Jaywardene, Sangakkara, Kallis and Ponting (fine batsmen though they undoubtedly are). Let us be fair here, if we are talking about batsmen who tend to wilt under pressure, Brian Lara's hardly a great example.

Nah, apart from arguably Jayawardene and Sanga (who haven't had enough opportunities away from home) I think it is fair to put them in a similar category.

 

[Blaze 18]

Please do not misunderstand me. I did not try to imply that Sangakkara and Lara are in the same category. Never. I was merely listing the batsmen who have a higher batting average than Viv Richards and the fact that I would pick Richards over Lara. Nope he is not an example at all. He has shown on various occasions how good he is under pressure. I just think Richards did that on more occasions and did a better job.

Oh okay, Richards over Lara is fair enough (I would still have Lara, but it is very close; second and third best batsman ever for mine).

 

[Blaze 18]

Nah, apart from arguably Jayawardene and Sanga (who haven't had enough opportunities away from home) I think it is fair to put them in a similar category.

Disagree - don't want to get into some statistical argument I would have Brian Lara a class above everyone on that list (and no, I don't have a crush on him )

 

[Prince EWS]

Disagree - don't want to get into some statistical argument I would have Brian Lara a class above everyone on that list (and no, I don't have a crush on him )

You'd have Lara over anyone on any list unless Bradman was on the list. You even called him the greatest ODI batsman of all time recently which I doubt even his mother would agree with you about. Crush is evident.

 

[Blaze 18]

You'd have Lara over anyone on any list unless Bradman was on the list. You even called him the greatest ODI batsman of all time recently which I doubt even his mother would agree with you about. Crush is evident.

There is no clear-cut number one in ODIs though, is there ? You could make reasonable cases for any of Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar and one or two others.

 

[Prince EWS]

There is no clear-cut number one in ODIs though, is there ? You could make reasonable cases for any of Brian Lara, Viv Richards, Sachin Tendulkar and one or two others.

I tend to avoid debating anything too far in-depth with you because you have such a stark ideological difference when it comes to rating players when compared to me that we'd get nowhere, but I wouldn't have Lara in my top ten ODI bats. I think I'll leave it at that; enjoy your crush.

 

[Blaze 18]

I do have a crush on Lara

 

[Black_Warrior]

Mine is better..and she was Miss Universe too

 

[Teja.]

Saying Ponting is in Lara's league is hardly criminal. I don't care if Lara could elevate himself to Zeus, in people's perceptions, in certain situations. In the ability to score runs, they're pretty much equal.

 

[Blaze 18]

Lara's name doesn't belong in a discussion about players who failed under pressure - that is what I said.

This thread is a waste by the way - Laxman doesn't average fifty, not a great. End of

 

[Anil]

yes he is a great batsman...tremendous pressure player...