Rank your 5 best bats from Australia post-Bradman

[Burgey]

Simmo a very good shout tbh. Belongs in the discussion for sure. Arguably Walters too, though I think Simmo’s claims are stronger

 

[social]

Greg Chapell also feasted on early 70s roads and terrible attacks. West Indies had guys like Vanburn Holder and Jumadeen, Pakistan/India/NZ had produced two notable pacers between them ever, England had Snow (gun) but he missed a lot of tests and Willis who was good but erratic. On the whole Chappell didn't face tougher attacks than Ponting who played in the '90s and Smith since 2016. Border, OTOH, had no breathing space for sure.

Chappell played one series against the Windies before their peak period, nil against the Kiwis without Hadlee, same for Pakistan without Imran, etc

Very few roads in those days either

We had Lillee etc so no chance that we would prepare a road

 

[trundler]

Chappell played one series against the Windies before their peak period, nil against the Kiwis without Hadlee, same for Pakistan without Imran, etc

Very few roads in those days either

We had Lillee etc so no chance that we would prepare a road

Hadlee and Imran weren't any good until they changed their styles though. That didn't happen for Imran until WSC and Hadlee at some point in the late '70s. The one series he played in WI was also in this period when their pitches were atrocious to say the least. Post WSC pace bowling was definitely on a different level but that's only part of his career. He played England more than anyone else and they were only ok. His performances against WI when they got good were obviously remarkable and he was among the finest players of pace imo but if we're doing era adjustments, it should be noted that the majority of the '70s wasn't that tough an era compared to what was to follow. Smith's average of 60 definitely isn't worth 50 in Chappell's career considering how crazy fast bowling depth has been of late and there have been some juicy pitches too.

 

[social]

Simmo a very good shout tbh. Belongs in the discussion for sure. Arguably Walters too, though I think Simmo’s claims are stronger

I have his autobiography and it’s a really good read as it’s completely unfiltered

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Mainly middle order bats being discussed (apart from Simpson).

How would everyone rate Simpson, Lawry, and Hayden?

A top 10 would be interesting. I reckon
Smith
Chappell
Ponting
Border
Waugh
Simpson
Harvey
Walters
Hayden
Gilchrist (or McCabe if post-Bradman = post-1928)

 

[Burgey]

I think Bill Lawry is largely under rated and over looked as a player. His game declined pretty markedly from when he got the captaincy, but he was a genuinely top tier as an opener - tough as well.

 

[trundler]

Well Simpson and Lawry didn't face much top tier pace like Hayden and they averaged less.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

I think Bill Lawry is largely under rated and over looked as a player. His game declined pretty markedly from when he got the captaincy, but he was a genuinely top tier as an opener - tough as well.

When CW voted on openers in April/May, Lawry finished in 14th.

Other Aussies were Simpson (7), Hayden (11), Morris (13), Trumper (15), Woodfull (22), Barnes (23), Langer (25).

Ponsford and the 90s openers missed the top 25.

 

[social]

Well Simpson and Lawry didn't face much top tier pace like Hayden and they averaged less.

Gilchrist, Hall, Freddie, Statham on uncovered decks

Who did Hayden face?

And I really rate Hayden btw

 

[trundler]

Gilchrist, Hall, Freddie, Statham on uncovered decks

Who did Hayden face?

And I really rate Hayden btw

Trueman and Statham in one series. Simmo did well there so credit to him. Hayden faced Donald and Pollock in 02. The rest are not really great pacers. Overall similar quality to Hayden IMO. Lawry and Simpson played for about as long as Hayden too, not counting the latter's comeback. Hayden gets marked down for not facing many great bowlers which is also true of Simpson and Lawry in all fairness. They were better away tho especially Simpson.

 

[social]

Trueman and Statham in one series. Simmo did well there so credit to him. Hayden faced Donald and Pollock in 02. The rest are not really great pacers. Overall similar quality to Hayden IMO. Lawry and Simpson played for about as long as Hayden too, not counting the latter's comeback. Hayden gets marked down for not facing many great bowlers which is also true of Simpson and Lawry in all fairness. They were better away tho especially Simpson.

Donald was 36 in 2002

Hayden failed against virtually every top quality pace attack

Simpson & Lawry didn’t

Again, I really rate Hayden BUT…..

 

[RossTaylorsBox]

I expect this kind of nationalistic nonsense from Cribb. Not you.

Cribb doesn't have any friends in Australia.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Hayden failed against virtually every top quality pace attack

Did even play against one that would fit your definition since he returned in 2000? He was a completely different player in the early 90s

 

[subshakerz]

Did even play against one that would fit your definition since he returned in 2000? He was a completely different player in the early 90s

Ashes 2005 and Shoaib should count.

 

[Jayro]

Donald was 36 in 2002

Hayden failed against virtually every top quality pace attack

Simpson & Lawry didn’t

Again, I really rate Hayden BUT…..

I remember Hayden himself saying there were not enough/quality fast bowler left in international circuit anymore who could push him on backfoot, and he was right in a way he just used to walk towards the fast bowlers like they were gentle paced and he looked right about what he said.

 

[trundler]

Did even play against one that would fit your definition since he returned in 2000? He was a completely different player in the early 90s

If we're counting 90s Hayden then Simpson averaged 22 against Adcock in 1957 also.

 

[social]

Hayden was a monumental talent but there’s little doubt that 2000s batting is the easiest in history

Can’t compare eras as it will always come down to whether a player can adapt & it’s impossible to answer

 

[trundler]

Hayden was a monumental talent but there’s little doubt that 2000s batting is the easiest in history

Can’t compare eras as it will always come down to whether a player can adapt & it’s impossible to answer

Maybe so but from my understand cricket was extremely dour and dull in the '60s with a high percentage of bore draws and few pace men of note. Not really a tough era for batting compared to the '50s and post WSC. Look at the bowling strike rates for that era. Sounds brutal to watch.

 

[Burgey]

Kookaburra Super Legend
Gray-Nicolls Ultimate
Kookaburra Kahuna Pro
Kookaburra Beast
Gray-Nicolls Scoop

Absence of Millichamp & Hall a travesty here

 

[social]

Maybe so but from my understand cricket was extremely dour and dull in the '60s with a high percentage of bore draws and few pace men of note. Not really a tough era for batting compared to the '50s and post WSC. Look at the bowling strike rates for that era. Sounds brutal to watch.

Primary objective was not to lose

Name a decent pacer from 2000s

I am struggling to think of one