Record of visiting batsmen in SA, England and Australia since 1990:
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
It just seem apparent watching him , rather than any statistical proof that he preferred pace on the ball imo.His stats don't support this though. Nor does the very flawed sample I saw.of him. Possibly a case of judging him relative to his countrymen because he was leagues ahead of them vs pace and comparable vs spin? I know I have done the reverse with Kallis in the past, who I considered a significantly better player of spin than pace.
He wouldnt be as high if his record in SA against those nations was included tbf.Not surprised with Greame Smith being so high in the list. The best Test opener in the last 30 years.
Still averages better than other Aus/Eng/SA openers like Warner, Kirsten, Stewart, Hayden and Cook.He wouldnt be as high if his record in SA against those nations was included tbf.
I think you'd ideally pair one of the two, with Smith (or a Cook) for the ideal opening pair though (ignoring any right/left hand combos).Still averages better than other Aus/Eng/SA openers like Warner, Kirsten, Stewart, Hayden and Cook.
Underrated batsman. Doesn’t get the same attention as Hayden or Sehwag.
With the exception of Smith, most modern openers have been mediocre to bad in many countries.I think you'd ideally pair one of the two, with Smith (or a Cook) for the ideal opening pair though (ignoring any right/left hand combos).
Sanga struggled against quality off breaks or any off spin bowler on a helpful track (barring Ajmal). His reputation comes from single handed destruction of Ajmal, whom all other batsmen struggled against. Sanga struggled against Gareth Batty, Swann, Ashwin and Harbhajan. Except for the first all others are quality bowlers, but he did play Warne very well.His stats don't support this though. Nor does the very flawed sample I saw.of him. Possibly a case of judging him relative to his countrymen because he was leagues ahead of them vs pace and comparable vs spin? I know I have done the reverse with Kallis in the past, who I considered a significantly better player of spin than pace.
Even Sehwag wierdly gave him some issues at times. I've always believed he managed to completely dominate Ajmal because unlike the others who were conventional offbreaks, half the battle with playing ajmal was picking the doosra which sanga did brilliantlySanga struggled against quality off breaks or any off spin bowler on a helpful track (barring Ajmal). His reputation comes from single handed destruction of Ajmal, whom all other batsmen struggled against. Sanga struggled against Gareth Batty, Swann, Ashwin and Harbhajan. Except for the first all others are quality bowlers, but he did play Warne very well.
Faced him in Estraya in the offseason. Played a couple of useful 70 odds iirc to save a game. Got bowled by Warne thoughI don't remember Sangakkara playing Warne very well. The 2004 series in Sri Lanka where Warne picked up heaps of wickets would have been the only time he faced Warne, right?
33 (born Feb 1981, retired Mar 2014).Graeme Smith retired at 31 I think? This helps his average as he didn't have the 2 year drop in runs towards the end of his career that most other batsmen have
Yeah I feel that this should be considered more when rating ATG players. People like Jack Gregory and Hedley Verity have benefited from a short career in their prime.Graeme Smith retired at 31 I think? This helps his average as he didn't have the 2 year drop in runs towards the end of his career that most other batsmen have
Quite a young age to retire for a top tier batsman.33 (born Feb 1981, retired Mar 2014).
Ain’t gonna blame Verity for dying in the war.Yeah I feel that this should be considered more when rating ATG players. People like Jack Gregory and Hedley Verity have benefited from a short career in their prime.