Your best batsman coming in at 3 is such a myth

[honestbharani]

The thing is, as a #3 you need be padded up from ball 1. Some folks like it, some folks dont. Sometimes its that simple.

 

[Howsie]

It’s why Williamson gets extra points over the rest of the Fab 4 for me. Got the big balls doesn’t hide down the order

 

[anil1405]

No.4 and then no.5 are relatively easiest positions to bat in, in test cricket.

 

[Coronis]

No.4 and then no.5 are relatively easiest positions to bat in, in test cricket.

I would’ve thought No. 11, so long as its not Day 5 in a close game.

 

[Starfighter]

For anyone unfamiliar, it's something Ian Chappell bangs on about mercilessly, especially when Joe Root comes down here batting at four.

Greg Chappell batted at four, and someone here rather perceptively pointed out it means Ian (who batted at three) probably considers himself to be a better batsman than Greg.

 

[Everton Seymour]

I agree , your best batsman should bat where ever he feels he can get the most runs for the team , then you build the team around your strongest resources no need to complicate it.

 

[mr_mister]

For anyone unfamiliar, it's something Ian Chappell bangs on about mercilessly, especially when Joe Root comes down here batting at four.

Greg Chappell batted at four, and someone here rather perceptively pointed out it means Ian (who batted at three) probably considers himself to be a better batsman than Greg.

I was gonna use Ian Chappell instead of Greg being there as another example of 3 being overrated as the best batsman spot but didn't know how to word it. He did average above 40 but yes, clearly inferior to Greg

I wonder if there was a bit of like, "I'm your older brother Greg and already established here, I'm not moving" even after it was clear Greg was gonna be a better test batsmen than him so there was no shuffle in the order

 

[Jayro]

In 90s i used to get that most consistent batsman of the team would come at 4

 

[Pothas]

The Root at 3 mostly comes from England having no top order. If Trott or someone had been around I doubt it would ever really have been mentioned.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

I think Root is potentially a great number 3. But it’s reliant on the openers laying a solid platform at least 10% of the time and more than two of the rest of the middle order averaging over 25.

 

[Ashes81]

I think no 3 was always regarded as the most difficult position to bat technically as ideally you need the defensive abilities of an opener but also the attacking abilities of the middle order.

I always thought Ponting was a brilliant no 3 - good enough defensively to come in 2nd ball but also good enough as a stroke maker to come in at 200-1.

As for Root, as a former opener he's good enough defensively to bat at 3 and is also an excellent stroke maker. But if he's more comfortable at 4 then he should bat there.

 

[subshakerz]

No 4 is ideal for the best bat imo. Enough to shield from new ball but also to rebuild the innings.

 

[Prince EWS]

For anyone unfamiliar, it's something Ian Chappell bangs on about mercilessly, especially when Joe Root comes down here batting at four.

Greg Chappell batted at four, and someone here rather perceptively pointed out it means Ian (who batted at three) probably considers himself to be a better batsman than Greg.

Yeah this is basically just an egocentric Chappellism. He batted #3 which means the best batsman in the side should do what he did.

It's a bit like how he spent years telling everyone you can't really just put the hook shot away and that criticism of him for getting caught at fine leg every third innings was off the mark, so then decided he had to hate Steve Waugh for proving him wrong.

 

[mr_mister]

Yeah this is basically just an egocentric Chappellism. He batted #3 which means the best batsman in the side should do what he did.

It's a bit like how he spent years telling everyone you can't really just put the hook shot away and that criticism of him for getting caught at fine leg every third innings was off the mark, so then decided he had to hate Steve Waugh for proving him wrong.

Ah, so that explains the hook shot saga with Steve. Always knew he thought less of Steve for shelving it but didn't know compulsive hooking was Ian's downfall as a player! Explains a lot

 

[ankitj]

I thought #3 was the most common position for Viv Richards and Wally Hammond too

 

[Prince EWS]

I thought #3 was the most common position for Viv Richards and Wally Hammond too

It was at their peaks. Hammond averaged about 75 there in over 50 innings.

 

[Coronis]

I thought #3 was the most common position for Viv Richards and Wally Hammond too

It was during their best years, but throughout their careers they ended up playing more at 4/5

Edit: Dammit @Prince EWS

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Pre Bradman that seemed to be the case

Grace, Trumper, Hobbs. All lead from the front. Like generals leading troops into battle rather than hiding behind the lines from WW1 onwards

Bradman definitely helped changed the theory

Ranji and Hammond

 

[mr_mister]

It was at their peaks. Hammond averaged about 75 there in over 50 innings.

Do you know why he moved down to 4 so early while still fairly young?

I guess Viv made way for Richardson. With Hammond though, what gives?

 

[Prince EWS]

Do you know why he moved down to 4 so early while still fairly young?

I guess Viv made way for Richardson. With Hammond though, what gives?

Leyland and Edrich who batted 3 a lot in the second half of Hammond's career were domestic openers. Maybe just team balance in that way.