Len Hutton vs Steve Smith

[Jumno]

Len Hutton tougher batting era

 

[Coronis]

Len Hutton tougher batting era

Average score is basically equal for both players careers. One could also argue Smith has faced more varied conditions and more teams with quality attacks.

 

[kyear2]

Average score is basically equal for both players careers. One could also argue Smith has faced more varied conditions and more teams with quality attacks.

Lindwall and Miller, O'Reilly, Ramadhin and Valentine. Can't recall if he faced Martindale and Constantine, and wasn't he the first real traveller, played in 5 countries compared to Bradman's 2.

 

[Coronis]

Lindwall and Miller, O'Reilly, Ramadhin and Valentine. Can't recall if he faced Martindale and Constantine, and wasn't he the first real traveller, played in 5 countries compared to Bradman's 2.

Good thing I’m not comparing him to Bradman?

 

[kyear2]

Good thing I’m not comparing him to Bradman?

Just comparing to a player from his / slightly earlier era to show he travelled quite a bit for his time.

 

[Coronis]

Just comparing to a player from his / slightly earlier era to show he travelled quite a bit for his time.

Still has nothing to do with my point, but whatever.

 

[Slifer]

I honestly abstain. Rate Sir Len very very highly but I also rate Steve Smith. Both excelled home and away but most importantly vs great attacks.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I honestly abstain. Rate Sir Len very very highly but I also rate Steve Smith. Both excelled home and away but most importantly vs great attacks.

Yea I can’t split them. Just voted for Hutton since harder batting position

 

[shortpitched713]

Smith by quite a bit. I think his record is more immaculate.

 

[BazBall21]

Think both have pretty immaculate records. Hutton is nearly as bullet-proof as Marshall and McGrath. The argument for Smith is greater variety of teams and faster bowling faced.

 

[kyear2]

Think both have pretty immaculate records. Hutton is nearly as bullet-proof as Marshall and McGrath. The argument for Smith is greater variety of teams and faster bowling faced.

Well Hutton did face Lindwall.

 

[shortpitched713]

And his performance declined, which is about as one might expect.

With Smith, I don't see any big holes, and there are so many diverse aspects of batting in different conditions he had to master which Huttton didn't.

 

[kyear2]

And his performance declined, which is about as one might expect.

With Smith, I don't see any big holes, and there are so many diverse aspects of batting in different conditions he had to master which Huttton didn't.

Name one batsman whose record wasn't impacted by great fast bowling, especially in helpful conditions

 

[BazBall21]

And his performance declined, which is about as one might expect.

With Smith, I don't see any big holes, and there are so many diverse aspects of batting in different conditions he had to master which Huttton didn't.

Hutton had one bad year at the end when he was nearly forty.

 

[Line and Length]

I always regard Len Hutton as an ATG whose record could have been more impressive but for WWII.
Hutton was 23 at the outbreak of war and 31 when Test cricket resumed. During the war years, while training commandos, he fractured his arm and wrist. This injury never fully healed and Hutton was forced to abandon the hook shot when Tests resumed post war.
Surely between the age of 23 and 31 would be most players' prime year so it wouldn't be hard to imagine Hutton's record being even greater without those lost years.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I always regard Len Hutton as an ATG whose record could have been more impressive but for WWII.
Hutton was 23 at the outbreak of war and 31 when Test cricket resumed. During the war years, while training commandos, he fractured his arm and wrist. This injury never fully healed and Hutton was forced to abandon the hook shot when Tests resumed post war.
Surely between the age of 23 and 31 would be most players' prime year so it wouldn't be hard to imagine Hutton's record being even greater without those lost years.

He probably would have averaged 60+

 

[BazBall21]

Hutton from 1947-1954 averaged 50 every year. Big chunk of that wasn't in a batting era. He was prolific everywhere against everyone. Averaged 68 against an ATG bowling side in that period. Lowest average in a series during that time was 38.

Have always felt he has one of the most bullet-proof resumes which is something bowlers tend to come out on top in. Longevity. Home+away record. Opener tax. Big hundreds. Overcame adversity. Minefield classics and performed against an ATG attack etc. Very high success rate/consistency. Probably a case for him to be England's greatest ever cricketer imo.

Still think Smith has a very good case here though. He's mostly had better home pitches but has probably faced a wider range of challenges. That's effectively the only caveat in Hutton's career. He did close to all he could do.

Probably one of those where you have to wait until the active player finishes to be sure either way.

 

[kyear2]

Hutton from 1947-1954 averaged 50 every year. Big chunk of that wasn't in a batting era. He was prolific everywhere against everyone. Averaged 68 against an ATG bowling side in that period. Lowest average in a series during that time was 38.

Have always felt he has one of the most bullet-proof resumes which is something bowlers tend to come out on top in. Longevity. Home+away record. Opener tax. Big hundreds. Overcame adversity. Minefield classics and performed against an ATG attack etc. Very high success rate/consistency. Probably a case for him to be England's greatest ever cricketer imo.

Still think Smith has a very good case here though. He's mostly had better home pitches but has probably faced a wider range of challenges. That's effectively the only caveat in Hutton's career. He did close to all he could do.

Probably one of those where you have to wait until the active player finishes to be sure either way.

He faced mystery spin, extreme pace, had the war and injury to contend with. Compared to the era before his, he did face a wide variety of conditions and attacks.

 

[Coronis]

I always regard Len Hutton as an ATG whose record could have been more impressive but for WWII.
Hutton was 23 at the outbreak of war and 31 when Test cricket resumed. During the war years, while training commandos, he fractured his arm and wrist. This injury never fully healed and Hutton was forced to abandon the hook shot when Tests resumed post war.
Surely between the age of 23 and 31 would be most players' prime year so it wouldn't be hard to imagine Hutton's record being even greater without those lost years.

According to someone in a recent thread it is much easier to bat after the age of 33 than throughout your 20’s.

 

[Adorable Asshole]

According to someone in a recent thread it is much easier to bat after the age of 33 than throughout your 20’s.

It entirely depends on the individual. But yeah batting in 20s is generally easier.

Edit : Also why is Younis Khan's age on wiki different than his age on cricinfo?