Ian Botham vs Keith Miller

[Johan]

Yeah but let's say Kohli scores another hundred this series, no way India drop him by the time they reach England.

I hope he scores another hundred and has a 47-48 average at the end of the series, so when he goes to England in 2025 I'd get top tier entertainment, one way or the other

 

[peterhrt]

More importantly why did England selectors keep picking him. Botham should have retired or been non-selected after 1985 Ashes

Rod Marsh, a pretty tough character, admitted that Botham's mere presence on the field could be unsettling. Botham made a habit of going after who he considered the opposition's biggest bully. During the first Test of the 1986-87 series he targeted Merv Hughes, murdering his bowling while scoring 138. 22 came off one Hughes over. When Big Merv came in to bat he received an earful from Botham, then an even more robust send-off after Botham bowled him second ball. England won the match by seven wickets, and sealed the series in the fourth Test at the MCG when Botham grabbed five wickets and three catches in the first innings. Bowling barely medium-pace he managed to psyche out half the Australian order.

During the previous Ashes series he had hit his first ball, from McDermott, back over the bowler's head for six. Over-confidence was an issue against the West Indians who happily gave him plenty to hook, knowing he would try and hit them out of the ground. He was a more natural batsman than Miller, who didn't fancy the short ball and was hopeless on English turning pitches.

 

[subshakerz]

I hope he scores another hundred and has a 47-48 average at the end of the series, so when he goes to England in 2025 I'd get top tier entertainment, one way or the other

Me too. I want him to retire averaging 50 but it may be a reach.

 

[Johan]

Me too. I want him to retire averaging 50 but it may be a reach.

I mean, his next 4 tests are on proper seamers so I don't expect it to stay above 47.5 and if I'm honest, considering how hopeless he was the last time he toured England, he'd honestly be lucky to average 46 if he plays all 5 tests in England

 

[kyear2]

Botham’s first 51 Tests is insane.
2833 runs @ 38.3 & 11 centuries
230 wickets @ 23.02 & 19 5-Fers

If we are comparing the first 51 Tests, Ian Botham would be second only to the legendary Don Bradman.

With that many hundreds, don't we expect a higher average though?

In my humble opinion, speaks to ridiculous inconsistency.

Also didn't those numbers include a few years vs WSC impacted Australia?

 

[Coronis]

With that many hundreds, don't we expect a higher average though?

In my humble opinion, speaks to ridiculous inconsistency.

I mean sure, but its not like he was ever an ATG (or otherwise) specialist bat.

That’s the point of a bowling allrounder, to produce “occasional” spectacular performances with the bat and consistent performances with the ball, which Botham was basically perfect at during those years.

 

[DrWolverine]

Botham at his peak
Consistently great bowler. Match winner with the bat.
Very few if any have been able to achieve it.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Me too. I want him to retire averaging 50 but it may be a reach.

A more realistic goal would be averaging 48 at this point

 

[Johan]

A more realistic goal would be averaging 48 at this point

would've said he would've done that if next series wasn't in England and he didn't happen to have lost all his ability to play movement.