Best After The Don

[Red]

We can very easily argue that Barry Richards is the second best batsman of all time. However, it would be impossible to state that he is the second greatest batsman of all time.

In others words, we can observe a batsman in action and conclude that his technique, skill, and ability is superb, and therefore one of the best in his trade. However, until he performs over a wide range of Test match conditions we can never say that he is great.

Sorry for being pedantic over the definition of best and greatest, but its always bugged me.

Interesting observations. The way he dealt with an attack led by Lillee in WSC (along with the testimonies of Ian Chappell and Bradman) is enough for me. Imperious opener. I'd have him in my ATG team most of the time...

B. Richards
J. Hobbs
D. Bradman
S. Tendulkar
V. Richards
G. Sobers

 

[Howe_zat]

Tikolo obvs

 

[Hurricane]

Garfield Sobers' six sixes in an over, Glam. v Notts., Swansea, 1968 - YouTube

This man is my vote. Also I played against Malcolm Nash years later and you simply did not discuss "the over" with him. Yet the incident defined his life and that was how he was known in our league.

 

[benchmark00]

Don tomato and cheese frankfurts ad early 90s - YouTube

 

[Viscount Tom]

"Then the other day Brendon McCullum said that Alastair Cook was the best since Bradman."

Aren't actual players meant to have good opinions?

Have you seen Shane Warne's Ashes squad?

 

[Agent Nationaux]

I'd go with Tendi due to his great record and the amount he has played. Plus he has played against all the top bowling in the 90s and 00s. Can't say the same for others (Viv never got to compete against his own quicks, Ponting against Warne and McGrath, Lara against Ambrose, etc).

 

[kyear2]

He also played on the most placid home tracks and the most of any of those listed againts minnows. It balances out.
Also the 70's and 80's had other great bowlers other than the W.I attack and similarily for the 90's and the Australian duo and Ambrose.

 

[Viscount Tom]

Was split between Hobbs and Sobers but I went for Sobers but only just.

Hobbs scored runs everywhere and on all kinds of pitches for donkey's years so I'd in all honesty probably put them as equal.

 

[fredfertang]

I still believe that you can compare Bradman and Grace, but this is not the time to pick over that one again.

As to the best Watson makes a valid point - having seen him a few times in action, and rather more often on TV, I can't believe there has ever been a better batsman than Barry Richards

But ignoring Grace who is the second greatest? I'd go for Len Hutton just, from Garry Sobers

 

[watson]

He also played on the most placid home tracks and the most of any of those listed againts minnows. It balances out.
Also the 70's and 80's had other great bowlers other than the W.I attack and similarily for the 90's and the Australian duo and Ambrose.

India's pitches are placid but this doesn't seem to effect Tendulkar when he comes to batting on faster wickets;

Ave in India: 53.37
Ave in Aus: 53.20
Ave in Eng: 54.31
Ave in WI: 47.69
Ave in NZ: 49.52

 

[Coronis]

Have you seen Shane Warne's Ashes squad?

Nah, I haven't.

It seems as though, when choosing an ATG XI, Hobbs, Bradman, Richards and Sobers are always included.. just what I've observed.

 

[Howe_zat]

I still believe that you can compare Bradman and Grace, but this is not the time to pick over that one again.

As to the best Watson makes a valid point - having seen him a few times in action, and rather more often on TV, I can't believe there has ever been a better batsman than Barry Richards

But ignoring Grace who is the second greatest? I'd go for Len Hutton just, from Garry Sobers

Interesting that you go for Hutton over Hobbs in particular.

 

[The Sean]

Articles like this are worth it just for the comments section below IMO.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Thought Tendulkar was supposed to be the greatest ever? That argument has been used before so Don is the 2nd best surely?

 

[Ikki]

I go for Viv Richards. One of the greats, coupling a high averaging with an impressive strike-rate. Was fantastic in Tests + WSC and is lauded by all and sundry.

 

[The Sean]

Articles like this are worth it just for the comments section below IMO.

Thought Tendulkar was supposed to be the greatest ever? That argument has been used before so Don is the 2nd best surely?

Pretty much captures the essence of a lot of the comments I'm talking about.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Pretty much captures the essence of a lot of the comments I'm talking about.

Difference is i am taking the piss but many are serious when they say it.

 

[fredfertang]

Interesting that you go for Hutton over Hobbs in particular.

Largely on the basis of his missing his best years and then achieving most of what he did after his wartime injury - would be fascinating to have seen the shoot out between him and Bradman in 40/41

 

[Satyanash89]

He also played on the most placid home tracks and the most of any of those listed againts minnows. It balances out.

Na, I've always found that logic to be stupid, completely unfair and meaningless. You could just as easily say that every Indian batsman has probably missed out on scoring tons of runs against **** Indian bowlers. It's no coincidence that virtually every great batsman, apart from a handful average something ridiculous against India.


I picked Tendulkar.. Best batsman I've had the pleasure of watching, just a smidgen ahead of Lara. He's, at various stages of his career dominated attacks, carried the team on his shoulders for many years in the 90s, averaged nearly 60 after facing a decade of high quality bowling, scored runs against the best attacks, and hasn't been mediocre anywhere. He's done it all for almost two and a half decades and done it with great beauty and flair too. Doesn't matter that he's been **** for a while now, nor does it matter that I haven't been a fan of his attitude since the world cup... he's provided more special memories to cricket fans than any other batsman of the last few generations.
The fact that I'm Indian obviously brings in a teensy bit of bias too, which makes it a given that I'd pick him.

 

[smash84]

He also played on the most placid home tracks and the most of any of those listed againts minnows. It balances out.
.

So why don't the SC bowlers get extra points for bowling well on these most placid of tracks?