DoG's Top 100 Test Batsmen Countdown Thread

[stephen]

Exactly this. Stephen shouldn't have used the word sneaked in . Sneaking means undeserving.

No it means against expectations.

Sehwag was good but he was not as good against pace bowlers as Hayden and pace bowlers are what openers have to face most often.

Sehwag had a poor record in England, New Zealand and South Africa, which is a pretty huge hole in your record as an opener since they're generally the toughest conditions.

 

[stephen]

To clarify, Hayden had a poor record in those three countries, but his poor record was averaging mid 30s in all of them. Sehwag averaged between 20 and 28 in them.

 

[sunilz]

To clarify, Hayden had a poor record in those three countries, but his poor record was averaging mid 30s in all of them. Sehwag averaged between 20 and 28 in them.

Hayden was marginally better against pace bowling. Sehwag was much superior against spin bowling. This explains why Sehwag has a better away average.

 

[h_hurricane]

Sehwag's unreal strike rate is probably going to hold him in good stead here. The guy was was a beast against spinners. Clobbered Murali, Saqlain and dominated Warne in that Chennai innings.

 

[Logan]

Yeah Smith is number 1 among post gavaskar openers for me too.

Less than 35 averages of famous opening batsmen in different countries.

Hayden averaged 34 in SA, 34 in England, 35 in Bangladesh and 28 in NZ.

Sehwag averaged 28 in SA, 20 in NZ, 27 in Eng and 35 in Bangladesh.

Warner averages 26 in WI, 27 in SL, 13 in NZ, 24 in Ind and 26 in Eng.

Cook averages 31 in SA and 29 in NZ.

Graeme Smith’s lowest average in any country is 36 and that’s in India.



Graeme Smith is clearly the best among the five.

 

[sunilz]

Was Smith penalised for playing in bowling friendly tracks of SA?

 

[Malcolm]

Part of the art of great batting, especially spin, is finding a way that works for you. It's ultimately the output that matters. If you're six foot a million and can reach basically any ball that would typically be considered "good length" basically on a half volley with a sweep, then why not?

My perception is that a very good player of spin should have a good forward defense, good footwork, a wide range of shots and attacking mentality. Players like Lara, Laxman, Sachin, etc.

 

[harsh.ag]

Yeah, Smith the best of the modern lot, agreed.

Hayden slightly better than Sehwag imo. Though I would prefer having Sehwag in the team just for the fireworks.

 

[Spark]

My perception is that a very good player of spin should have a good forward defense, good footwork, a wide range of shots and attacking mentality. Players like Lara, Laxman, Sachin, etc.

And yet they all count the same on the scoreboard.

 

[Logan]

And yet they all count the same on the scoreboard.

At the end of the day, it is about the runs. It doesn’t matter if one has a classical technique like Kohli or “weird” technique like Smith.

 

[ankitj]

I posted this in another thread recently:

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

Look at Smith's numbers. That's visiting batsmen in SENA since 1990.

Edit: I meant Graeme Smith although you may marvel at Steven Smith's numbers too.

 

[sunilz]

I posted this in another thread recently:

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

Look at Smith's numbers. That's visiting batsmen in SENA since 1990.

Edit: I meant Graeme Smith although you may marvel at Steven Smith's numbers too.

Please do one from 01 Jan 1990 to 31 mar 2006 . Include all countries overseas and neutral

 

[ankitj]

Please do one from 01 Jan 1990 to 31 mar 2006 . Include all countries overseas and neutral

Not sure what that would tell, but here you go:

Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com

Interesting Inzamam averaged 51.5 at this stage after averaging 43 in 90s.

 

[sunilz]

Please edit it to away venue

 

[ankitj]

Done.

I thought you would be a guru at using statsguru given hote many stats you quote. This is easy stuff.

 

[sunilz]

Done.

I thought you would be a guru at using statsguru given hote many stats you quote. This is easy stuff.

Don't know how to post through mobile.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Man, those twin double-centuries by Smith in early 2000s was such a god thing for the cricket world. Then they gave him the captaincy while he was still suckling. I would eagerly wait fr the day's newspaper just to check the sports section in the backpage...

 

[sunilz]

Done.

I thought you would be a guru at using statsguru given hote many stats you quote. This is easy stuff.

Don't know how to post through mobile. Check Dravid average

 

[honestbharani]

Both sucked against movement, sehwag a bit more. Both were brilliant against spin, sehwag a bit more. I'd probably go for sehwag because he's more entertaining, don't think there's much in it in reality.

Also Sehwag has a test fifer.

 

[Coronis]

Sehwag definitely knew how to cash in. Almost broke Bradman's record for most double hundreds.

Believe you’re thinking of Sangakkara.