What is your definition of ATG?

[subshakerz]

The term ATG gets put out a lot nowadays. On this forum, I see it be used for players who for me don't qualify to be there.

I prefer ATG is be a much more exclusive category, meaning elite of the greatest players. So they need elite stats, long enough careers and reputations as the best of their era. To me, an ATG wouldn't seem too out of place in an ATG XI. Obviously, its a bit subjective, but I would likely only have around 30 cricketers in history make this cut.

Below that is the category of great, or a national-level great. Great records but fall slightly short on reputations to be considered best of the best.

I would also have the category of worldclass cricketers, those who were top of their times but didn't play long enough to be considered a great.

Interested to hear other thoughts.

 

[_00_deathscar]

The opposite of yours

 

[Zinzan]

Just how many "ATGs" are there in your mind?

Since the ATG label seems to get thrown around this forum so inconsistently, I'm curious as to approximately how many ATG Test cricketers everyone thinks there are in their own minds. Is it merely those who would make your 1st and 2nd ATG Test elevens, so no more than 25 Test cricketers? Is...

www.cricketweb.net

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Home domination like >35 batting average coupled with a <23 bowling average.

 

[ashley bach]

Someone who'll never be forgotten even if they were trashed and taken through the sewers of CW.

 

[Line and Length]

An ATG is a player who is universally acknowledged as one of the best 10 or 12 in their particular discipline.

 

[Prince EWS]

Anyone greater than or equal to James Anderson.

 

[ataraxia]

Jimmeh used to be the ATG ATVG but is now an ATG. Not as good as Dougeh tho

 

[DirtyHarry]

Anyone greater than or equal to James Anderson.

Anderson only takes wickets in English overcast conditions. He is very ordinary outside England. See his record to believe it.

 

[DirtyHarry]

Sachin is the undisputed ATG.

 

[Prince EWS]

Anderson only takes wickets in English overcast conditions. He is very ordinary outside England. See his record to believe it.

Yes and he's ATG despite that because taking wickets in England matters.

 

[DirtyHarry]

Yes and he's ATG despite that because taking wickets in England matters.

Why is he an ATG when he doesn't play T20 and ODIs.

 

[Prince EWS]

Why is he an ATG when he doesn't play T20 and ODIs.

He plays cricket instead.

 

[ataraxia]

Why is he an ATG when he doesn't play T20 and ODIs.

Agreed 100%. Test match bully. The secret to being an all-time great is success across all three formats.

 

[Howe_zat]

The secret to being an all-time great is success across all three formats.

Genuinely think most people outside this website (including most players and commentators) hold this view and it's kinda underrated here.

 

[subshakerz]

An ATG is a player who is universally acknowledged as one of the best 10 or 12 in their particular discipline.

I kinda agree. For batsmen, I may stretch it to the top 15 perhaps.

For pacers, around 11/12.

Spinners it depends.

 

[Howe_zat]

An ATG is a player who is universally acknowledged as one of the best 10 or 12 in their particular discipline.

This implies that players who were 'all time greats' 30 years ago no longer are, and that players who are 'all time greats' right now will not be in 30 years' time.

The whole concept is quite silly.

 

[srbhkshk]

Yeah, limiting by some specific number is a poor way to deal with this question unless you basically mean that number for right now.

 

[subshakerz]

This implies that players who were 'all time greats' 30 years ago no longer are, and that players who are 'all time greats' right now will not be in 30 years' time.

The whole concept is quite silly.

The list will naturally expand based on 1-3 additions per era.

 

[Victor Ian]

I think making the New Zealand AT team is still the benchmark. As time marches on the New Zealand team progressively improves and keeps the total number of ATG in check. For instance, Anderson might almost have been called ATG, but the recent improvement in New Zealand AT bowlers means he is still hovering around the outskirts.