PlayerComparisons
International Vice-Captain
Two bats with amazing peaks
It'd be like those Sherlock Holmes films with Robert Downey Jr where he plays out the fight in his mind in slow motion before it happens.In an actual fight? Steve Smith would win for sure
Great assessment.Smith clearly has the better record, he averages about 10 more than Viv so you can't really make a coherent argument for Viv.
What I would say in Viv's favour is that he was much the better batsman to watch.
Does that matter- yes and no.
No in that it doesn't matter how you make you runs. Cricket is essentially about scoring runs and taking wickets and how you do that is of no consequence.
Yes in that as a spectator, you get more pleasure watching some batsman than others. Smith for his brilliance, isn't good on the eye due to his unorthodox technique.
If you ask me to name the best 5 batsmen I've seen.-.Smith would top the list.
Ask me to name the batsmen I've enjoyed watching the most, then Smith wouldn't feature.
Nah, if Smith ends up at 55-57 level, I will go for Viv over him, given the padding his record has and how much less tested he has been.Hard to look past Smith. If he has a standard decline he will still be an all-conditions 55+ bat. Viv was balanced too and has the legacy performances like Smith but he averaged 45 in the second half of his career. Smith beats him for consistency.
As an Englishman, I've seen enough of Smith batting to last me a lifetime. ?Unpopular opinion for sure, but I love Smith’s unorthodox technique and watching him bat. I also loved watching others like Lara, Sanga and Waugh, so go figure.
Better stay away from the tv this summer, he’ll be going for hours and hours.As an Englishman, I've seen enough of Smith batting to last me a lifetime. ?
Hate watching Smith bat. No real flow, just jerky.yeah Smith is extremely fun to watch with his quirks, his leaves are the best in world cricket
Not sure about that. Smith has had better home conditions but had an incredible tour of England and India as well as being productive pretty much everywhere. Viv faced some ATGs but didn’t face the best attack. He has his near-unique upside but Smith has been remorselessly consistent as of now. Would you rate him over Lara if he finishes on 55-57?Nah, if Smith ends up at 55-57 level, I will go for Viv over him, given the padding his record has and how much less tested he has been.
You keep saying "padding" but what truly dire attacks has Smith faced on a consistent basis?Nah, if Smith ends up at 55-57 level, I will go for Viv over him, given the padding his record has and how much less tested he has been.
Yeah he gets over Lara.Not sure about that. Smith has had better home conditions but had an incredible tour of England and India as well as being productive pretty much everywhere. Viv faced some ATGs but didn’t face the best attack. He has his near-unique upside but Smith has been remorselessly consistent as of now. Would you rate him over Lara if he finishes on 55-57?
I'm sure he will and bloody Labushchagne tooBetter stay away from the tv this summer, he’ll be going for hours and hours.