Peter May vs Denis Compton

[Coronis]

Historically both by “experts” and most here, Compton has been rated clearly higher. Personally, I think as with Hill/Trumper, the case is not so clear cut.

Some relevant stats

May 4537 @ 46.77 13 tons 22 fifties 40 SR
Compton 5807 @ 50.06 17 tons 28 fifties 41 SR

Both were HTB’s but despite their career overlap May had much tougher overall conditions.

Thoughts?

 

[howitzer]

Judging purely by what they actually achieved in Test cricket in comparison to how difficult the conditions were I think May edges it. Compton was probably the better bat though, and unlucky to miss out on a large chunk of his peak to the war. May retiring early prevented him having a decline too, though maybe the dramatic easing up of conditions/weakening of bowling attacks c. 1962/63 might have prevented one anyway.

 

[a massive zebra]

Interestingly in the 70s and 80s May was widely considered to be the best batsman to debut for England since the war, yet there is no comparison between him and Barrington statistically.

 

[Aidan11]

Compton.

Better footballer too.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Both are better than Barrington

 

[Line and Length]

Both are better than Barrington

Not according to the CW poll from 2022.
Barrington came in at 21, Compton at 24 and May at 46.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

No according to the CW poll from 2022.
Barrington came in at 21, Compton at 24 and May at 46.

Yea that’s fair. All three are pretty close and underrated IMO.

 

[shortpitched713]

May had the much tougher conditions, and was more dominant in those conditions according to a thing that @Coronis posted.

 

[howitzer]

May had the much tougher conditions, and was more dominant in those conditions, according to a thing that @Coronis posted.

Yeah it's crazy. He dominated county averages in some wet years too. If it wasn't for the home/away split I'd rate him very highly, despite the relative lack of longevity.