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Len Hutton vs Steve Smith

Who is the better test batsman?


  • Total voters
    32

BazBall21

International Captain
Have given it to Hutton because when you're in doubt between the active and retired player, benefit of the doubt goes to the retired. Smith can definitely finish above.
 

kyear2

International Coach
Hobbs maybe the greater cricketer because of everything he did in first-class cricket. He is a near-unparalled titan in that respect. In tests, it's much of a muchness really. Hutton over Hammond on batting.
Yeah, agree with this. In terms of greatness, Hobbs is probably behind only Bradman and Sobers, but in terms of who was the better, I have to go Hutton over Hobbs. Much better and more varied attacks faced in much more varied locations.
 

HouHsiaoHsien

International Debutant
I think both Hobbs and Hutton are amongst the top 5/6 in the discussion of best after Bradman. But for me Hobbs is the primary candidate for the best after Bradman debate. Didn’t play ATG attacks or tour many countries, but apart from Bradman, no one has been as ahead of their generation as Hobbs was in the pre war era(averaging 60, when it was very good to average 35). Also one can note his dominance on sticky pitches, the fact he transcended eras, and maintained an average of close to 58 for 20 odd years. Lastly he didn’t tour a lot of counties, but perhaps excelled in the greatest extremities of conditions, sticky pitches in England, pace and bounce in Aus(and infamous Gluepot wicket), and matted pitches in SA(was one of the first to figure out the SA googly bowlers).
 

kyear2

International Coach
I think both Hobbs and Hutton are amongst the top 5/6 in the discussion of best after Bradman. But for me Hobbs is the primary candidate for the best after Bradman debate. Didn’t play ATG attacks or tour many countries, but apart from Bradman, no one has been as ahead of their generation as Hobbs was in the pre war era(averaging 60, when it was very good to average 35). Also one can note his dominance on sticky pitches, the fact he transcended eras, and maintained an average of close to 58 for 20 odd years. Lastly he didn’t tour a lot of counties, but perhaps excelled in the greatest extremities of conditions, sticky pitches in England, pace and bounce in Aus(and infamous Gluepot wicket), and matted pitches in SA(was one of the first to figure out the SA googly bowlers).
Hobbs definitely, Hutton I have a bit lower, but still top 10.

Bradman

Tendulkar
Sobers
Hobbs

Richards
Smith
Lara

Hutton
Gavaskar
Ponting
Hammond
Waugh / Border

Not set in stone
 

capt_Luffy

Cricketer Of The Year
I think both Hobbs and Hutton are amongst the top 5/6 in the discussion of best after Bradman. But for me Hobbs is the primary candidate for the best after Bradman debate. Didn’t play ATG attacks or tour many countries, but apart from Bradman, no one has been as ahead of their generation as Hobbs was in the pre war era(averaging 60, when it was very good to average 35). Also one can note his dominance on sticky pitches, the fact he transcended eras, and maintained an average of close to 58 for 20 odd years. Lastly he didn’t tour a lot of counties, but perhaps excelled in the greatest extremities of conditions, sticky pitches in England, pace and bounce in Aus(and infamous Gluepot wicket), and matted pitches in SA(was one of the first to figure out the SA googly bowlers).
Kinda agree on the Hobbs analogy there. He performed with great consistency in his late 40s; that's wild!!
I would have:
Bradman



Tendulkar
Hobbs
Sobers

Lara
Gavaskar
Richards
Hutton
Smith
Hammond
Headley
Sutcliffe
 

kyear2

International Coach
Kinda agree on the Hobbs analogy there. He performed with great consistency in his late 40s; that's wild!!
I would have:
Bradman



Tendulkar
Hobbs
Sobers

Lara
Gavaskar
Richards
Hutton
Smith
Hammond
Headley
Sutcliffe
6th, wow. That's lofty territory...
 

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