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Mark Waugh vs Laxman

The Better Bat

  • Laxman

    Votes: 26 89.7%
  • Mark Waugh

    Votes: 3 10.3%

  • Total voters
    29

Burgey

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Laxman batted largely at no.5 and 6 and had players who barely knew how to hold a bat (especially overseas) and until Dhoni turned up.
Sehwag, Dravid and Tendulkar "barely knew how to hold a bat"? And I mean Dhoni overseas was a bit of a joke wasn't he?
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Laxman had his share of unique impact innings, but I think Waugh overtakes him on this score. Australia never lost when he scored a century. And the context of his innings shows why he was so valued. Delivered under pressure.

138 against England in 91 - Saved Australia when they were in a hole in the first innings
139 against WI in 91 - Clutch knock that helped Australia to win a tough away test
112 against WI in 92 - Again helped to save Australia after a 1st innings collapse
113 against SA in 93 - Battling knock to ensure a draw
137 against England in 93 - Bailed them out at 80/4 to set a matchwinning score
126 against WI in 95 - Crucial partnership with Waugh that decided the series
116 against SA in 97 - ATG knock to chase against a strong SA attack
115 against SA in 98 - Helped to save the test and win the series for Australia
153 against India in 98 - Very important knock to get Australia level with India's high score
117 against Pakistan in 98 - Helped to ensure a draw and win the series
119 against WI in 2000 - Took them from a spot of bother to a matchwinning score
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
For Laxman, aside from the obvious 281, he has a few knocks such as his 148 in Australia and his 103* against SL which I remember which are clutch performances, and a bunch of sub-100 ones. One of my favorites is his 96 against SA in Durban in 2010 which gets tragically overlooked. A better knock IMO than Tendulkar's 146 in the next test.
 

mr_mister

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I rewatched Laxmans 167, certainly a top knock. Nearly 2 thirds of the team total and some amazing shots

In terms of impact... It came in an innings defeat and a dead rubber so I dunno. It certainly impacted the commentators view on Laxman as he was averaging 24 from 17 tests before it... But it didn't impact any results.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Pretty sure if Waugh's career timeline coincided with Laxman he would also be averaging similar or more, as 42 in the 90s is more like 45-46 in the 2000s. I dont think the average difference between them should tell who was superior.
 

Arachnodouche

International Captain
They had stupid aggressive fields for that 167 at the SCG and he had virtually the entire ground in front of the wicket to himself. Great watching but hardly relevant to the match.
 

Burgey

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Think he means after him in the batting order.
I see. That makes sense then. If this is the case then I unreservedly apologize and withdraw my remarks, which were not designed to offend or to wound anil1405, who I regard as very decent fellow and good allround poster.

In fact, anil1405 >>>>>> Kallis
 

anil1405

International Captain
Pretty sure if Waugh's career timeline coincided with Laxman he would also be averaging similar or more, as 42 in the 90s is more like 45-46 in the 2000s. I dont think the average difference between them should tell who was superior.
If you remove Laxman's average as an opener, he averages close to 50. While admittedly batting average isn't the only criteria the gap is pretty wide enough.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Reflecting on Laxman, it becomes clear how ideal India's batting order was structured in their golden era. Sehwag to blast the innings off, Dravid and Tendulkar to build the bulk and Laxman as a late order specialist.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
If you remove Laxman's average as an opener, he averages close to 50. While admittedly batting average isn't the only criteria the gap is pretty wide enough.
Sure, but we dont have any way of knowing if those failures were just for him as opener or for him warming up to international cricket as a new batsman.
 

anil1405

International Captain
Reflecting on Laxman, it becomes clear how ideal India's batting order was structured in their golden era. Sehwag to blast the innings off, Dravid and Tendulkar to build the bulk and Laxman as a late order specialist.
Try to make a case where Maugh had a real advantage. Not just for the sake of it.

Maugh batted with the likes of Taylor, Slater, Saugh, Martyn, Ponting and later with Hayden, Langer, Ponting, Saugh, Gilchrist.

It was not like Indian batting was really superior to this Aus lineup.
 

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