Second best England Test bat to have debuted post-1970?

[BazBall21]

Here’s a tough one, I asked someone on here about a month ago, who is the second best/greatest England test bat to have debuted post-1970? Now putting it out there for everyone on here to have a go. Of course not everyone would say Root is the best, but he would probably win by a landslide if I said who’s no1 under that time frame, as Geoff Boycott debuted back in 1964.

The debate will likely revolve around five guys that are quite even statistically; Gooch, Gower, Thorpe, Pietersen, Cook.
You can rank those five if you wish, but don’t have to.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

My reflex answer is Pietersen, but I don't think there's much difference in quality between the five guys you've listed.

 

[honestbharani]

KP

 

[Neil Young]

Pietersen
Gooch
Gower
Cook
Thorpe

 

[Line and Length]

A very tough call. Gooch and Cook, being openers, deserve extra consideration. Aesthetically I admired Gower while Thorpe has a marginally better average in Ashes series than the others.

 

[sledger]

Well it's definitely not Thorpe, good as he was

 

[Lillian Thomson]

KP. A rare genius who until the last couple of years I would have had ahead of Root. A colossal prat as well of course.

 

[kevinw]

Thorpe for me, Clive.

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

Gooch for me

 

[mr_mister]

I'm gonna say Gooch.

His reputation made me think his average was much higher than it was in reality

When I was slightly more of a casual fan, and hadn't memorised the batting averages of like every notable test player, I remember thinking Gooch was on the level of Hobbs or Hutton based on how he was talked about and the way he was described as an English great

 

[trundler]

When I was slightly more of a casual fan, and hadn't memorised the batting averages of like every notable test player, I remember thinking Gooch was on the level of Hobbs or Hutton based on how he was talked about and the way he was described as an English great

Yeah but based on that you'd also think Atherton was as good as Boycott

 

[mr_mister]

Well not me personally because the first series I watched was the '98 ashes lol

 

[GIMH]

Should have been Pietersen but don’t think he quite fulfilled his potential (despite his enormous achievements)

Cook for me.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Might not like the bloke but it is KP. Was absolutely brilliant on his day and could take any attack apart. Gets difficult after that.

 

[Xuhaib]

KP.

 

[grecian]

Might not like the bloke but it is KP. Was absolutely brilliant on his day and could take any attack apart. Gets difficult after that.

So could Gower and Gooch Tbh.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Pietersen
Gooch
Gower
Cook
Thorpe

I agree with this order. Ten years ago I would've expected Cook to finish no 1, which shows how he fell away without a decent opener at the other end. I'd put Robin Smith next.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

England XI (debuted post 1970):

Gooch (c)
Cook
Gower
Root
Pietersen
Prior (wk)
Stokes
Botham
Swann
Willis
Anderson

(6-8 could bat in any order)

Would get thrashed by England debuted pre 1970.

 

[Gob]

KP. A rare genius who until the last couple of years I would have had ahead of Root. A colossal prat as well of course.

I often wonder if KP had a Lara like end to him. He was around 32 when he was unceremoniously dropped and his stats must have been very similar to Lara at the same age. Then he went on to have a great run for Surrey and almost got picked for 2015 Ashes. Who knows he could have ended with 11K runs at an average tick over 50 and gone down as true ATG. He was willing to play on as well

Also who was the bloke sacked him sighting that he wasn't looking all that interested in 13/14 ashes? Briefly became head of the cricket board or something of similar statue and curtailed a great career. KP had it coming of course

 

[Gob]

England XI (debuted post 1970):

Gooch (c)
Cook
Gower
Root
Pietersen
Prior (wk)
Stokes
Botham
Swann
Gough
Anderson

(6-8 could bat in any order)

Broad over Gough