*Official* West Indies Tour of England, JULY 9th to 25th, 2024-- 3 TEST MATCHES

[CartyDurham]

Maybe India and NZ have better attacks now but Pakistan and Sri Lanka had vastly better attacks then. Australia, South Africa and West Indies about the same.

Australia had McGrath, Gillespie ,Warne , Windies had Ambrose and Walsh

saffers had pollock and whatshisname white lightening

 

[CartyDurham]

Oh and they are looking at bad light

fancy a quick exit umpires ?

 

[Nintendo]

Bell is miles ahead of Pope. Bell's average is far higher and probably played in a better era for bowlers. If Pope gets 20 test hundreds I'll eat my hat.

Bell's career (2004 to 2015) coincides with one of the best batting era's in test cricket history (2000 to 2016) and ended up averaging 42. I can't find the batting average by position for that era, but the overall mark is 34. That obviously includes tail enders. The sum of bell's career really isn't much better than the average player in that period. Feels a bit overrated, IDK.

 

[Bijed]

Think Boycott said for good batsmen they should be getting a ton whilst playing five tests

Pope is on an average about a ton every 8 tests

if these two get going though it will be entertaining

That ratio would be a decent amount higher since he started batting at 3 tbf. No guarantee that it will continue, and you can't really just ignore the first, bad part of his career for ratings/comparisons as it's not like he was stupidly young/had a baptism by fire or anything like that, but his overall numbers are going to be a bit misleading at this point

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Bell's career (2004 to 2015) coincides with one of the best batting era's in test cricket history (2000 to 2016) and ended up averaging 42. I can't find the batting average by position for that era, but the overall mark is 34. That obviously includes tail enders. The sum of bell's career really isn't much better than the average player in that period. Feels a bit overrated, IDK.

Bell would average under 40 if he debuted in like 2015

 

[CartyDurham]

That ratio would be a decent amount higher since he started batting at 3 tbf. No guarantee that it will continue, and you can't really just ignore the first, bad part of his career for ratings/comparisons as it's not like he was stupidly young/had a baptism by fire or anything like that, but his overall numbers are going to be a bit misleading at this point

I think there’s a really top player there in Pope so it’s down to him to prove it

 

[King Kane]

Brook playing a conventional off drive.

What a breath of fresh air that is.

 

[mackembhoy]

I will never understand how they can discuss the light when a side is hitting boundaries.

I also don't get what the issue is with the floodlights taking over from the light is?

If they can see the ball then there is no issue. I know it can make it harder to bat.
But it's robbing the fans whenever they go off for light unless it's dangerous.

 

[kevinw]

Bell's career (2004 to 2015) coincides with one of the best batting era's in test cricket history (2000 to 2016) and ended up averaging 42. I can't find the batting average by position for that era, but the overall mark is 34. That obviously includes tail enders. The sum of bell's career really isn't much better than the average player in that period. Feels a bit overrated, IDK.

I think Bell massively underperformed and should have had a record like Pietersen's. Much like Pope has massively underperformed and should have a record like Root's. Both have or had far more talent than they demonstrated.

 

[CartyDurham]

Could be two clear days to come so I think we will get a positive result for either team

 

[Howe_zat]

Bell's career (2004 to 2015) coincides with one of the best batting era's in test cricket history (2000 to 2016) and ended up averaging 42. I can't find the batting average by position for that era, but the overall mark is 34. That obviously includes tail enders. The sum of bell's career really isn't much better than the average player in that period. Feels a bit overrated, IDK.

The 'average' player doesn't hold on to their spot for a decade, or have much in the way of series-winning career highlights. I think people who do manage that are a fair chunk above.

Also I would argue that 2012-16 in England is more like the current era even though it was still very batting friendly elsewhere, especially in Australia, and we didn't really notice it at the time.

 

[CartyDurham]

Anyone remember the days in tests in England where they had a set of lights on the scoreboard to indicate deterioration in the light

was usually when 3 were lit, they started to worry and off when the fourth one lit up

during the 80s iirc

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Bell is comparable to someone like Rahane. Not close to Pujara

 

[mackembhoy]

Bell's career (2004 to 2015) coincides with one of the best batting era's in test cricket history (2000 to 2016) and ended up averaging 42. I can't find the batting average by position for that era, but the overall mark is 34. That obviously includes tail enders. The sum of bell's career really isn't much better than the average player in that period. Feels a bit overrated, IDK.

I mean it's only harder to bat now as batsman are generally worse after a diet of white ball instead of red ball.

This England side a perfect example of this they've had to adapt into an ultra aggressive side as they don't have the technique to play like sides would in "one of the best batting eras".

So diminishing Bell is daft as he'd be like a god amongst men in this current side.

 

[kevinw]

Bell is comparable to someone like Rahane. Not close to Pujara

Bell and Collingwood had similar averages and were miles apart in ability which showed plenty about how you get the most from your talent.

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

Is there anyone better in overcast conditions than Joe Root? Class player

 

[reyrey]

Maybe India and NZ have better attacks now but Pakistan and Sri Lanka had vastly better attacks then. Australia, South Africa and West Indies about the same.

Bell had all the Hilfenhaus and Siddle era Australia

 

[BazBall21]

Maybe India and NZ have better attacks now but Pakistan and Sri Lanka had vastly better attacks then. Australia, South Africa and West Indies about the same.

In Bell's prime - SA, Pak and SL were better bowling sides than now but would say Pope has faced stronger bowling and in tougher conditions in his career overall. Don't think he will reach Bell's level though.

 

[mackembhoy]

Is there anyone better than Joe Root? Class player

Tidied

 

[CartyDurham]

Tidied

Where’s @Aidan11 hope he’s going well