Steve Waugh vs Ricky Ponting in Tests?

[Majestic]

Steve Waugh averaged 74 in England with 7 centuries to his name. His home average is 47 and away average is 55. Career average is 51.06


In contrast, Ricky Ponting averages 26 in India and 41 in England. His home average is 56 and away average is 45. Career average is 51.84.

Who is a better batsman of the two and how? Additionally, Steve Waugh was a decent all rounder in first half.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Waugh was a better much player of both spin and swing and equally good against bounce.... Yep, it's him for me.

(Also, 1K threads in PC!!)

 

[OverratedSanity]

Ponting. Had the way tougher job at 3 instead of hiding down at 5/6, more dynamic as a batsman and had a better peak.

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Hmmm, one guy hid down the order and batted for his average with the tail and the other a beneficiary of the Mega Flat Track era.

But, you know, both were pretty decent I guess. Hard to call.

(Also, 18 non-Kallis threads in PC!!)

 

[Sunil1z]

Would Australia have won Ashes 2005 if you replace Ponting with Steve Waugh ?

 

[capt_Luffy]

Ponting. Had the way tougher job at 3 instead of hiding down at 5/6, more dynamic as a batsman and had a better peak.

Steve Waugh outperformed Ponting in a tougher batsman era in all of India, England and South Africa ; and the first two to huge degrees. No matter of hiding down is making up for that to me....

 

[Sunil1z]

Steve Waugh outperformed Ponting in a tougher batsman era in all of India, England and South Africa ; and the first two to huge degrees. No matter of hiding down is making up for that to me....

How can you forget WI 1995 series?

 

[Majestic]

Ponting. Had the way tougher job at 3 instead of hiding down at 5/6, more dynamic as a batsman and had a better peak.

Don't forget the quality of bowling attacks Steve Waugh faced(1985-2003) to the quality of bowling attacks Ponting faced(1995-2012). Additionally, the pitches as well.

 

[shortpitched713]

Ponting was a true dominator of a batsman, whose overall stats end up belying his impact at his peak. Waugh came in late in innings, and unlike Gilchrist, tended to play relatively sedate innings from favorable positions. I don't think it's all that close honestly.

I will say, Waugh was a marginally better captain, and for my money the best "part time" bowler there may have ever been ( might be unfair on other contenders to the title as he started as a half decent batting allrounder ).

 

[_00_deathscar]

I've always been of the (minority, possibly?) opinion that Waugh > Ponting, or that the very least they're at least in the same tier of batsmen.

Waugh was up there with Sachin and Lara in the 90s.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I've always been of the (minority, possibly?) opinion that Waugh > Ponting, or that the very least they're at least in the same tier of batsmen.

Waugh was up there with Sachin and Lara in the 90s.

I swear Ponting is one of the most overrated batsman in not only CW, but in general; while Steve Waugh is definitely massively underrated...

 

[Sunil1z]

Aggressive batsmen are always rated higher because their great knocks are more memorable

 

[subshakerz]

Ponting. Had the way tougher job at 3 instead of hiding down at 5/6, more dynamic as a batsman and had a better peak.

Yes agree with all this.

 

[subshakerz]

I swear Ponting is one of the most overrated batsman in not only CW, but in general; while Steve Waugh is definitely massively underrated...

I agree Waugh is underrated but Ponting to me is rated fine.

 

[shortpitched713]

Waugh's stats are pretty nice in an era that wasn't as easy for batting as later ones, but his batting role also evolved into the cushiest one in Test cricket. I think there's reasons to think he could be both over or underrated, depending on who you ask.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I agree Waugh is underrated but Ponting to me is rated fine.

I know, to which I don't necessarily agree. He has no business in Top 15 Test batsman; and I believe you really can't argue of Waugh's superiority away....

 

[subshakerz]

Waugh's stats are pretty nice in an era that wasn't as easy for batting as later ones, but his batting role also evolved into the cushiest one in Test cricket. I think there's reasons to think he could be both over or underrated, depending on who you ask.

This is doing him a disservice. He has scored so many back to the wall critical knocks, it ain't funny. He was the best bat in the world in the mid 90s and was universally praised by opposition for his toughness.

 

[trundler]

Still Ponting despite some pathetic attempts to degrade him lately. Best player of the 2000s.

 

[subshakerz]

I know, to which I don't necessarily agree. He has no business in Top 15 Test batsman; and I believe you really can't argue of Waugh's superiority away....

No Waugh has a slightly better record except Ponting was batting at no.3 and also much more aggressive which gives him a slight edge.

 

[Sunil1z]

Still Ponting despite some pathetic attempts to degrade him lately. Best player of the 2000s.

Get it . You don’t rate Kallis or Murali.