Everyone should keep their knickers untwisted. We have already established that CW isn't Wisden. The results of this poll are truly reflective of CW in that they are the product of a lot of genuine knowledge of the game and its history and a lot of different perspectives, while also reflecting a degree of mischief making which is an essential part of CW.
I repeat: CW isn't Wisden. Now, without detracting from the efforts of smiley in particular, this is not an award which anyone outside this forum will give a rat's arse about; and if we all really know that CW ranks Bradman highest, as is being suggested, then what possible harm is done?
For my part, I voted for Bradman second and WG Grace top but partly to balance the under-representation I knew WG would get.
Many thanks to smiley and nufan for running it.
This.
As has already been said. I am one of the bastards who didn't place Bradman quite where he should be. Regardless of that though, he isn't my greatest cricketer of all time because he can't bowl. Number two imo is a fair reflection of where Bradman should be, though I had a couple more of the great allrounders ahead of him.
He is without doubt the finest batsman the game has ever seen by a huge distance, but allrounders get a natural advantage in my book as cricketers because they can participate in all facets of being a cricketer, which includes fielding and captaincy.
I submitted a couple of smart arse inclusions and exclusions because people were getting so hurt and precious before this exercise even begun. My list was also much different from a list I would usually submit, not just because of Doug Bracewell being the greatest cricketer of all time, but because I decided to challenge myself and write it with a slight variation on criteria. I submitted my list but varied it by giving a higher weighting to men who have had the greatest impact on the game, whether through greatness or folklore. I think I managed to forget one West Indian which was a genuine error, but my list would have skewed the results regardless because major players behind Bodyline got a boost and I included players like Bob Blair who aren't great at cricket but are undoubtedly great cricketers for sheer testicular fortitude. Allan Border, Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh also benefited from my criteria.
If Smali and NUFAN are hurt by my unorthodox rankings then I sincerely apologise, but if it is any consolation I think this list is entirely fair, so you have at least one backer of the list, even if he is a bastard.
My only excuse is I didn't think so many would think like me, but then this is CW, so you have to expect the mischief. You could argue this list represents CW far more than the first.
Last of all, thank you lads for running this. It has been great fun.
cliffs: PEWS is a rat
