What are the minimum test bat and bowling standards today?

[subshakerz]

This is the aggregate average of batters from 2020 to 2025.
View attachment 44337
But there are a lot of tail-enders runs included here, which should not count imo.

So, there have been 255 batters that have batted at 8-11 batting position. I chose Ollie Stone as the ideal tail ender, and calculated the approximate average of top order batters (batters batting at 1-7).
View attachment 44339

(197655-83*255)/(197655/30.36-7*255)= 37.349.

So, the Top order batter's average is somewhere around 37. So yeah, we are in the 35+ batting average era.

Pretty impressive how Williamson has managed to average 64.38 in this era.

Can you do for the 80s, 90s and 2000s?

 

[sayon basak]

Can you do for the 80s, 90s and 2000s?

I could go through all 800+ tail-enders, but didn't do that. Here are the approximate results:-
80's= 40
90's= 39.5
00's= 42

 

[subshakerz]

I could go through all 800+ tail-enders, but didn't do that. Here are the approximate results:-
80's= 40
90's= 39.5
00's= 42

Yeah like I thought a bump in the 2000s. But I assume these averages are a few points higher since they include tails batting up.

 

[sayon basak]

Yeah like I thought a bump in the 2000s. But I assume these averages are a few points higher since they include tails batting up.

This are the approximate numbers excluding tail enders.

 

[Ali TT]

Zak Crawley's career averaging 30 would appear to be the bare minimum in one of the top sides.

 

[Window]

Unless I’m missing something, cricinfo stats guru will give the aggregate average for top order (1-7) batsmen with no need for estimates.




This is what it looks like for the top teams and positions 1 - 6. Believe the gap in 2020’s compared to previous decades will be even larger if narrowing further to the top 5 positions and just the top 4-5 nations.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

batsmen need to have a strike rate of around 75 and average 48 plus

That allows for Brook, Sehwag, and Viv (plus Gilchrist if you round up his 47.6).
Tough MINIMUM

 

[Window]

The same thing for opening + first change pace bowlers. This needs a lot more considered analysis, as these are just simple aggregates.

 

[CartyDurham]

That allows for Brook, Sehwag, and Viv (plus Gilchrist if you round up his 47.6).
Tough MINIMUM

I’m a very harsh but expectant critic

I based those on a quality player

I did another post on this thread for lesser lights which every team has

 

[CartyDurham]

Outside your top notch players , I feel a strike rate of 70 balls per wicket and batting average around 40 would see someone play 50 tests

Here. @Fuller Pilch

 

[Ali TT]

Outside your top notch players , I feel a strike rate of 70 balls per wicket and batting average around 40 would see someone play 50 tests

Zak Crawley averages 30.5 with an sr of 65.7 and has played 53 tests.
KL Rahul averages 33.6 with an sr 52.8 and has played 58 tests.

 

[Daemon]

Unless I’m missing something, cricinfo stats guru will give the aggregate average for top order (1-7) batsmen with no need for estimates.

View attachment 44366


This is what it looks like for the top teams and positions 1 - 6. Believe the gap in 2020’s compared to previous decades will be even larger if narrowing further to the top 5 positions and just the top 4-5 nations.

View attachment 44367

Cool that we’re playing more tests than ever

 

[Stefan9]

iirc a batting average of 30 locks you into the English side if you can score fast enough.

You forgot the most important requirement. Your golf handicap.

 

[CartyDurham]

Zak Crawley averages 30.5 with an sr of 65.7 and has played 53 tests.
KL Rahul averages 33.6 with an sr 52.8 and has played 58 tests.

Absolutely correct , I did know this

it’s only opinion and not cast iron fact

 

[Starfighter]

it’s only opinion and not cast iron fact

Not all opinions are equal, some are better informed than others.

 

[CartyDurham]

Not all opinions are equal, some are better informed than others.

That’s a good point. Some also are not overly concerned with absolute fact based on informed opinion or not

I have an opinion based on my knowledge of the game since 1976

I’m sorry if you find that not of the required standard but there we go. I think putting me on ignore will enhance your experience of the forum.

patronising someone you don’t know is a subject I can’t be bothered with

Maybe it’s time to answer the thread rather than scoring points going at me ?

 

[Ali TT]

Absolutely correct , I did know this

it’s only opinion and not cast iron fact

I don't think you can objectively answer this question. Cricket is a team sport so fundamentally what you need is a combination of batting, bowling, fielding and tactics that is sufficient to win more matches than they lose.

 

[CartyDurham]

I don't think you can objectively answer this question. Cricket is a team sport so fundamentally what you need is a combination of batting, bowling, fielding and tactics that is sufficient to win more matches than they lose.

Agreed. It’s all hypothetical anyway from me as I ain’t a selector or a professional cricketer

I’ve watched the game for decades and was trying to help the thread along

I’m not right in what I say in the opinion of some but I don’t attack them for having that opinion

I think it’s for the best i don’t bother this thread again

 

[Qlder]

Assuming we are talking mid-tier average to good teams (non-minnows), what is the minimum standard of record for regular bowlers and batsmen (not those starting their careers) today to justify a place in any international side?

Not saying it's right but my expectations for Australia have never changed from the following. Anything significantly less and I'm calling for a dropping, especially if they get out playing T20 shots

#1-2: 40
#3-5: 45
#6: 35 (young bat or allrounder)
#7 WK: 30
#8: 18

As for bowlers, expect one pace bowler to average <26, two other pacers <30, Spinner and allrounder < 35

 

[ataraxia]

Not saying it's right but my expectations for Australia have never changed from the following. Anything less and I'm calling for a dropping, especially if they get out playing T20 shots

#1-2: 40
#3-5: 45
#6: 35 (young bat or allrounder)
#7 WK: 30
#8: 18

As for bowlers, expect one pace bowler to average <26, two other pacers <30, Spinner and allrounder < 35

So, about this Travis Head bloke...