OverratedSanity
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Cbf. They might average more, but Smith has been involved in so many brilliant 4th innings chases, it's impossible to overlook him. And really, I believe 4th innings averages are way more misleading than averages in the 1st innings/2nd innings, because you have many cases where the match is pretty much dead in the 4th innings to the point where runs don't really mean anything. Gavaskar was part of some phenomenal chasing efforts, albeit, often valiant unsuccessful ones like his double at the Oval, and his 96 in his last match.Both Sunny and Boycs have better 4th innings records....
**** Boycott's average in the 4th innings. If he had as many truly great meaningful 4th innings performances as Smith, I'll be ready to concede.
3rd Test: England v South Africa at Birmingham, Jul 30-Aug 2, 2008 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
3rd Test: New Zealand v South Africa at Wellington, Mar 26-30, 2004 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
3rd Test: South Africa v New Zealand at Johannesburg, May 5-7, 2006 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
1st Test: Australia v South Africa at Perth, Dec 17-21, 2008 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
1st Test: South Africa v Australia at Cape Town, Nov 9-11, 2011 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
Not to mention coming out with a broken hand to try and save a test against Mitchell Johnson.
You can keep Boycott. I'll take Smith, thanks. He's a 4th innings genius.