Coronis
International Coach
Averages 50 - will still be considered him struggling. Truly the next Bradman.He will still average 50 over the series with a dip in form.
Averages 50 - will still be considered him struggling. Truly the next Bradman.He will still average 50 over the series with a dip in form.
Don't count your chickens....The bloke never ceases to come out of form. Even when he had a relative decline(by his lofty standards) during the early stages of the pandemic, he didn't have a sharp drop in his average.
Averaging 60+ over 90 tests now. Looks more or less certain that he will go down in history as the 2nd best ever. Likely to bring back the Border - Gavaskar trophy home after a long time. Thoughts ?
No. The difference in batting averages is still a whopping 40. I get what you mean though.Considering Bradman only played in like 3 countries, maybe Smith is the greatest ever all conditions batsman in all of cricket.
I am not saying he is better than Bradman. I am inventing a category where Bradman doesn't qualify ?No. The difference in batting averages is still a whopping 40. I get what you mean though.
This. Filthy rotten cheat is how he will always be known.His legacy will be the rampant cheating he oversaw as captain
There is fat chance that he will be owned by Bumrah, given that our best bowler is made of glass and may not even walk into the field. Him being picked for the upcoming ODI series keeps me on the edge as that gives him enough time to get injured again and miss the B-G series altogether.As for Smith the guy is just relentless. Like others have said, a few more tests and then retirement and his place may be cemented as the 2nd best ever.
Fwiw, I don't think it's guaranteed he'll automatically do well in India and England. In IND on top of Jadeja/Ashwin he'll have to contend with Bumrah. That's an atg attack right there. If he passes that test, I'm completely sold.
India are playing Bumrah in an ODI series? Like wtf? It better be for one or two games to stay match fit. No way would I risk my best pace bowler for such a crucial test series. Fwiw, I mentioned bumrah because it'd be interesting to see how Smith goes vs great spin and pace in the same attack.There is fat chance that he will be owned by Bumrah, given that our best bowler is made of glass and may not even walk into the field. Him being picked for the upcoming ODI series keeps me on the edge as that gives him enough time to get injured again and miss the B-G series altogether.
With regards to Jadeja/Ashwin, Smith had pretty much dominated them in the series here 5 years back. And their bowling (especially Jadeja's) has declined a lot more than any marginal dip in his batting, if any.
Yup. Smith > Lara.Considering Bradman only played in like 3 countries, maybe Smith is the greatest ever all conditions batsman in all of cricket.
Smith > Lara > Sachin ?Yup. Smith > Lara.
Daily reminder etc.
What about the time before that?There is one big difference between England this year and the last time he visited
Doesn’t have the ***y Lara back lift.I still the jury is out on Smith being able to handle pace on a spicy wicket but then again, that isn't unique to Smith. Lara quite frankly sucked vs genuine pace. So Smith has him there. Smith has been immense vs spin and matches Lara for colossal series and is a genius home and away so yeah he's probably already ahead of Brian. But who knows what may happen in a few years time (see Ponting).
I'm also impressed by the reverence the other commentators have for Ian (best keeper in the world between peak Dujon and Healy) Smith.Doesn’t have the ***y Lara back lift.
Have to say I’m enjoying Lara on comms this summer. Also notable the reverence the other commentators have for him. Good to see