Debate thread for 2024 Ranking of batsmen poll

[howitzer]

I should also be currently hitting Smith with that stick too, making my current vote confusing to myself.

 

[centurymaker]

Yeah but then that would mean him lacking longevity compared to most ATG batsmen. It would make me start to hit him with the same stick I hit Chappell with, just on a batsman with a higher average than Chappell.

hmmmm true but also at least viv was not selective about playing away. He didn't miss tours to protect his stats.

 

[howitzer]

hmmmm true but also at least viv was not selective about playing away. He didn't miss tours to protect his stats.

Yeah but I rate Chappell lower in my pantheon of Aussie bats than most.

 

[howitzer]

Anyway I've edited my original post, only to put Smith behind Gavaskar though.

 

[centurymaker]

What is the case for putting Lara above Smith exactly, except for duration?

Lara was a genius, a phenomenon like Tendulkar like Viv like Sobers. Unfortunately can't say the same about Smith. Smith has had periods where you felt he belonged there but overall no imo.

 

[howitzer]

Lara was a genius, a phenomenon like Tendulkar like Viv like Sobers. Unfortunately can't say the same about Smith. Smith has had periods where you felt he belonged there but overall no imo.

I dunno. His 2019 Ashes efforts felt pretty otherworldly.

 

[centurymaker]

If Smith can have a great couple of years coming up, a lot of people will revise their opinion of him and rate him as a lock in top dozen but I actually think he is going to continue to struggle given his hard unorthodox technique and deteriorating hand & eye.

 

[centurymaker]

I dunno. His 2019 Ashes efforts felt pretty otherworldly.

yeah thats when I felt too. But looking at his entire career...

Since that Ashes series in 2019, Smith has averaged 43 in the last 5 years.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Smith is top 10 even if he continues to struggle and ends up averaging low 50s

 

[howitzer]

yeah thats when I felt too. But looking at his entire career.

Lots of other great moments too. The 2019 Ashes is like Richards' 76 series in England imo though.

 

[ataraxia]

Smith is top 10 even if he continues to struggle and ends up averaging low 50s

What if he goes on even longer and ends up averaging 49.86?

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I dunno. His 2019 Ashes efforts felt pretty otherworldly.

Also 2017 series in India

 

[PlayerComparisons]

What if he goes on even longer and ends up averaging 49.86?

Then he’s ATVG like Sehwag

 

[ataraxia]

Then he’s ATVG like Sehwag

Good.

 

[subshakerz]

Also 2017 series in India

Yes. Nobody handled Ashwin Jadeja with that next level of ability. Definitely up there.

 

[howitzer]

yeah thats when I felt too. But looking at his entire career...

Since that Ashes series in 2019, Smith has averaged 43 in the last 5 years.

That's kinda what Richards did too though.

 

[subshakerz]

Lara was a genius, a phenomenon like Tendulkar like Viv like Sobers. Unfortunately can't say the same about Smith. Smith has had periods where you felt he belonged there but overall no imo.

Tendulkar wasn't a genius frankly, and I rate him the best after Bradman. He was a master of his craft much like Smith.

 

[ataraxia]

Yes. Nobody handled Ashwin and Jadeja with that next level of ability. Definitely up there.

Wow if what you say is true Ashwin and Jadeja must have been pretty good

 

[howitzer]

Yes. Nobody handled Ashwin Jadeja with that next level of ability. Definitely up there.

Yeah magnificent to perform against ATG bowlers like that bro.

 

[centurymaker]

Lots of other great moments too. The 2019 Ashes is like Richards' 76 series in England imo though.

But do you know he is avg'ing 43 in the last 5 years since. It is easy to be taken away by certain moments of peak and forget the other times of someone's career.