Prince EWS
Global Moderator
I rate Steyn a bit lower (worse than Imran and Ambrose) than most of the forum too for this reason, but he still bowled in a hard era for bowlers outside SA.Do you rate Steyn’s wickets in South Africa
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Steven Smith vs Dale Steyn
- Thread starter DrWolverine
- Start date
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Yeah I think his record is massively flattering compared to someone like Cummins. I actually think Haze is arguably better.
Coronis
International Coach
Heh not like Smith hasn’t done half bad outside Australia either
PlayerComparisons
International Vice-Captain
Pretty sure Haze would have the better standardized average
kyear2
International Coach
The devaluing overall. It's like he went from no. 2 to mid teens for some.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Yeah I have no issues with his away record but he should have made more runs in Australia to match what his reputation was given how easy I think it was.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
He averages 60 in Aus.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
Yep. "Best after Bradman" should have averaged far more given the state of the pitches.
He's an ATG but he's not in that top tier for me.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
He never was a lock as best after Bradman.
But he belongs in the top tier with Sachin, Hobbs, Sobers and Viv as best of his era with minimal flaws.
However, I will say if he has another bad series in SA, I would consider ranking Lara ahead of him, though Lara is a more flawed bat.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Smith is in the middle of a low patch and this is affecting perception. He clearly is playing like a shadow of his former self.
But imagine ranking Lara in 98 or Tendulkar in 2006 in the middle of their bad patches.
But imagine ranking Lara in 98 or Tendulkar in 2006 in the middle of their bad patches.
Prince EWS
Global Moderator
I think this is affecting a lot of people's perceptions but I've been quite consistent in not really rating him a different league to the rest of the fab four. I haven't really changed my opinion at all, because I value longevity and I think his home runs earlier in his career were worth less than most others do.
DrWolverine
State 12th Man
Sachin has done everything Smith did but over a longer period, more Tests and against better bowlers
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Nobody is seriously comparing him with Sachin now. Though you were arguing against longevity in the other thread.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
I make all those points but still think he is the best of his era by a notable margin and has an amazing near flawless away record.
OverratedSanity
Request Your Custom Title Now!
Tendulkar didn't have as dominant a stretch of his career where he averaged 75-80 over the span of several years like Smith did. Also never had as many huge series where he picked off hundred after hundred like Smith in the ashes/India 2017.
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Johan
State Captain
This is just factually incorrect, I've Sachin above Smith but Sachin didn't have a peak like this
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
Smith was literally 20-25 points clear of his contemporaries in this time
Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo.com
Sachin also never had serieses like Ashes 2019 or BGT 2017
Peak Smith > Peak Tendulkar
Overall, Tendulkar>Smith because longetivity and sustained brilliance
DrWolverine
State 12th Man
If longevity is really important, Viv Richards isn’t comparable to Sachin Tendulkar. His record is similar to Ken Barrington(1959-1968).
Viv’s peak was between 1976-1988 and he barely played Test cricket in 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Viv : 92 Tests. 7091 runs. Avg of 55.40. 22 tons.
Ken : 82 Tests. 6806 runs. Avg of 58.6. 20 tons.
Sachin’s peak is unparalleled
1992-2011 :
172 Tests. 14622 runs. Avg of 57.57. 50 tons.
Viv’s peak was between 1976-1988 and he barely played Test cricket in 1977, 1978 and 1979.
Viv : 92 Tests. 7091 runs. Avg of 55.40. 22 tons.
Ken : 82 Tests. 6806 runs. Avg of 58.6. 20 tons.
Sachin’s peak is unparalleled
1992-2011 :
172 Tests. 14622 runs. Avg of 57.57. 50 tons.
DrWolverine
State 12th Man
It depends on how long one calls as peak.
DrWolverine
State 12th Man
Smith averaged 70+ for 4 consecutive years.
Sachin averaged 60+ for 5 consecutive years.
I understand what you are saying though.
Sachin never had the peak Steven whereas he did it at a lesser peak for more number of years.
