The Best of...

[ganeshran]

Great List JBMAC, thanks!

 

[The Sean]

SJS, JBMAC, Archie and Fertang sitting around a table discussing cricket would be some kind of heaven.

 

[kyear2]

Great lists. A little surprised that Murali has been left out, but I am sure you have your reasons.
Not in any doubting you, but just wanted to say that the slippers you list must be great because the catches that I have seen from G. Chappell (included), Sobers, Mark Waugh and Richie Richardson were just unreal, particularly againts pace, were just incredible.

 

[smash84]

now don't you get him started on Murali.........

 

[chasingthedon]

Nice to see Tony Lock in your list.

Notice all your number threes are Aussie - no non-Aussie number three could crack it?

 

[JBMAC]

Nice to see Tony Lock in your list.

Notice all your number threes are Aussie - no non-Aussie number three could crack it?

Only went for 5. After that would come the likes of Tendulkar etc

 

[JBMAC]

Great lists. A little surprised that Murali has been left out, but I am sure you have your reasons.
Not in any doubting you, but just wanted to say that the slippers you list must be great because the catches that I have seen from G. Chappell (included), Sobers, Mark Waugh and Richie Richardson were just unreal, particularly againts pace, were just incredible.

With those you have mentioned you have seen the great catches they have made. I am saying the ones I selected consistently held catches of that ilk not just occasionally

 

[JBMAC]

I know you haven't coined up this group yet, but could you name the top 5 openers you've seen pls!

Just refer to the six mentioned in opening thread

 

[smash84]

JB I had only looked at Alan Davidson's record very cursorily and it was quite awesome. Given that you have rated Keith Miller so highly as a bowler, where in your estimate would Alan Davidson come in? Fractionally below Miller or do you think there would be some distance? I think amongst the Aussie greats Davidson's name doesn't crop up nearly as much as it should

 

[Debris]

Great to see Imran Khan in your list of top fast bowlers (My favorite cricketer. I only started watching cricket from the late 80s). His bowling often gets forgotten due to his captaincy or because of him being labeled an all rounder.

And his bowling was shot for the last couple of years of his career which sometimes makes it hard to remember how good it was before that.

 

[kyear2]

One more quick question? Did you even get to see the 3W's, and if you did who would you say was the better batsman, Weeks or Walcott?
Btw did you ever see Walcott keep?

 

[JBMAC]

One more quick question? Did you even get to see the 3W's, and if you did who would you say was the better batsman, Weeks or Walcott?
Btw did you ever see Walcott keep?

Saw Worrell when he led the 60/61 side (Tied test)
Was never impressed with Walcott's keeping and as far as I am aware Everton Weekes never toured here

 

[smash84]

And his bowling was shot for the last couple of years of his career which sometimes makes it hard to remember how good it was before that.

True. Up to 1988 he was a very good bowler and then from 89 onwards just went downhill. Even in 1989 he was bowling a lot of overs for Pakistan but once Waqar made his debut Imran took the backseat. Tbf he was turning 38 by then and entitled to a rest I suppose but yes that does make it hard to remember just how good he was before that.

 

[salman85]

Nice list,but no Wasim/Waqar in the opening bowlers list?That kinda surprised me.

 

[JBMAC]

Nice list,but no Wasim/Waqar in the opening bowlers list?That kinda surprised me.

They were not good enough to make the top 5.You must remember these are cricketers I have seen and as you are probably much younger than me you would not have had the scope or opportunity to see some of those.Each one of the Fast Bowlers and the Fastest Bowlers were definitely a cut above those you have mentioned

 

[smash84]

JB I had only looked at Alan Davidson's record very cursorily and it was quite awesome. Given that you have rated Keith Miller so highly as a bowler, where in your estimate would Alan Davidson come in? Fractionally below Miller or do you think there would be some distance? I think amongst the Aussie greats Davidson's name doesn't crop up nearly as much as it should

I put this question earlier JB would you mind having a look at it again regarding Alan Davidson

 

[kyear2]

They were not good enough to make the top 5.You must remember these are cricketers I have seen and as you are probably much younger than me you would not have had the scope or opportunity to see some of those.Each one of the Fast Bowlers and the Fastest Bowlers were definitely a cut above those you have mentioned

How about Marshall and Holding or Tyson and Statham?
Not saying they should be top 5, but where would they rank.

 

[smash84]

kyear2 you will cheese off the old chap

 

[The Sean]

Saw Worrell when he led the 60/61 side (Tied test)
Was never impressed with Walcott's keeping and as far as I am aware Everton Weekes never toured here

Toured in 51/52, but IIRC he had a very poor series - Lindwall, Miller and Johnston gave him a real working over.

 

[NUFAN]

Enjoyable list. I was surprised/happy to see that you rated Bob Willis speed in your fastest bowlers list.

I also found the inclusion of Jacques Kallis in your list of best outfielders a slightly left-field selection, cause I don't necessarily think of him fielding in the outfield - he's definitely got a safe pair of hands in the slips cordon though.