DoG's Top 100 Test Batsmen Countdown Thread

[Logan]

13289 Test runs

11579 ODI runs

292 Test wickets

273 ODI wickets

23 MoM in Tests

32 MoM in ODIs

9 MoS in Tests

Arguably the greatest cricketer post-Bradman


Personal favourite Match : Kallis twin centuries in CapeTown. Single handedly saved India from winning the series in SA with two magnificent centuries in both the first and second innings.

 

[Burgey]

Kallis' entry into the list has sort of made me think Labushagne bats a bit like him, especially on the drive and the pull shot. Dunno whether it's a similar physique sort of thing or what, but those two shots in particular remind me of Kallis.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Would have thought they have very different physiques. Marnus is very skinny and wiry, Kallis was more barrell-chested and naturally chunky.

 

[Burgey]

Well you thought incorrectly. Don't worry.

 

[ankitj]

"A selector and a captain's dream" is a pretty apt description of Kallis. WAG.

 

[honestbharani]

For me, it was that most uncharacteristic Kallis knock in the 1998 Champions Trophy final against the Windies. Got RSA the only ICC/Global trophy they ever won. And was amazing with both bat and ball. Amazing player.

And Burgey, you are right. But I feel Marnus is more Mussey than Kallis although there are similarities in some of the strokes with Kallis. People often forget Kallis was an excellent stroke player when he allowed himself to be.

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

Mussey

Mods

 

[Burgey]

Maybe it’s because they’re both a bit Boering.

 

[Magrat Garlick]

Maybe it’s because they’re both a bit Boering.

poor Labu-shane, changes his name to something pronounceable and still gets this

 

[Malcolm]

Stat snippet

Kallis averages 77.46 in the matches he did not bowl.

 

[Logan]

Stat snippet

Kallis averages 77.46 in the matches he did not bowl.

How many matches?

 

[Malcolm]

How many matches?

10

 

[srbhkshk]

10

Probably more a case of batted a lot and hence was too tired to bowl.

 

[Days of Grace]

No.11

Wally Hammond (England) 856

Quality Points: 787
Career Points: 69

Career/Runs: 1927-1947, 7249 (rank 25)

Overall average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate: 52.79 (58.45) 46.76 (51.78) 47.29 (45.31) (rank 16)
50 Innings Peak Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (1928-1933): 67.47 58.02 45.19 (rank 20)
Non-Home Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate: 60.55 53.82 45.25 (rank 4)
Quality Opposition Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate: 50.46 47.85 42.97 (rank 26)

Wally Hammond of Gloucestershire and England was born at the wrong time. In any other era of cricket he would have been the best batsman on the planet for the majority of his career. As it was, he had to accept second best to the Don from 1930 until he retired in 1947. His record is excellent, averaging above 50.00 adjusted in all criteria. Up to the start of the Second World War, he had scored 6883 runs at an adjusted average of 55.29 (61.46). If his career had ended in 1939 he would have been placed 10th with 875 points. Hammond's overall average is adjusted downwards by almost 6 runs since he often scored heavily on benign pitches and against the weaker opponents of his day. But he was also outstanding against Australia and saved his best for down under. He contributed mightily to Ashes series wins in 1928/29 (when he scored an incredible 905 runs) and 1932/33. In each Ashes back in England that followed, the Don won back the Ashes for Australia with 974 runs in 1930 and another 758 runs in 1934. Hammond's double century at Sydney in 1936/37 should have been enough for England to win a third consecutive Ashes series in Australia but the Don had other ideas in the final three tests. Wally had to be the bridesmaid yet again.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FAmNfc8Ej8

 

[Gob]

Man all these guys TPC is passing...suck fat one blocky

 

[Coronis]

Surprised. Hammond a genuine top 10 batsman for me easy.

 

[trundler]

Surprised as well. Especially by the relatively low career rating considering he retired as the highest run scorer.

 

[ankitj]

We are about to get into the top 10. So far the highest quality points belong to Herbert Suttcliffe.

 

[sunilz]

So Barrington replaces Hammond, Steve Smith replaces Ponting in top 10

 

[kyear2]

Interesting top 10 ahead.

Was just sitting thinking about the names of the guys to come, and realised that no batsman is perfect. When one goes through the top 10 batters, they all have something in in their records or career that can be pointed at as a demerit.

Just using the Windies guys. Viv had a relatively short peak, Lara was not always the most consistent and sometimes didn't always seem as mentally engaged as he should have been. Sobers batted at 6 way more that anyone in the top 10. We know why, but he still did.