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Top 5 test cricketers since 1970

R

Rob Wesley

School Boy/Girl Captain
Okay, let’s simply put forward the top 5 test cricketers that have played the game since 1970. I chose since 1970 criteria because I feel before that, there were only 3 quality sides- Aus, Eng, WI. So, we will look at more recent cricketers and higher number of quality oppositions.

My list:-

Batsman - Steve Smith
Bowlers - Warne, Marshall
All rounder - Imran

Now, 5th one is debatable. Should I go with Tendulkar/Lara/Viv, Kallis, Hadlee or McGrath or Murali.

I have gone with Hadlee due to his additional batting ability because he was probably only slightly below McGrath as bowler. It’s like #2 vs #3 but he is a very capable batsman.

Batting wise, I feel Tendulkar makes strong case due to his all format greatness but in Tests, he wasn’t the clear best batter of his generation. Lara was also weak vs top 4-5 opponents in 1990s and Viv’s test career stats wasn’t staggering either. Steve Smith though has all boxes ticked. He dominated England and India both home and away over a series and has great record in pretty much all conditions. Not this discussion is only about Test cricket.

My top 5:-

Marshall
Smith
Imran
Warne
Hadlee

Pick yours?
 
DrWolverine

DrWolverine

International Debutant
Batsmen : Sachin. Viv. Smith. Lara. Gavaskar
Bowlers : Marshall. Hadlee. McGrath. Steyn. Murali.
Special mention to Imran & Kallis
 
sayon basak

sayon basak

International Captain
DrWolverine said:
Batsmen : Sachin. Viv. Smith. Lara. Gavaskar
Bowlers : Marshall. Hadlee. McGrath. Steyn. Murali.
Special mention to Imran & Kallis
Click to expand...
No mention to Warne? Although I rate Muralitharan slightly ahead of Warne as a bowler, but Warne is definitely a better Cricketer. Almost the same bowler (arguably better), decent lower order batter, great fielder and a Regarded as a great tactician by many.
 
Last edited:
Coronis

Coronis

International Coach
sayon basak said:
No mention to Warne? Although I rate Muralitharan slightly ahead of Warne as a bowler, but Warne is definitely a better Cricketer. Almost the same bowler (arguably better), decent lower order batter, great fielder and a Regarded as a great tactician by many.
Click to expand...
Not sure if I’d say great fielder.
 
capt_Luffy

capt_Luffy

International Coach
Given including ODIs:

Sachin
Imran
Hadlee
Viv
McGrath
Murali
Marshall
Warne
Lara
Gilchrist


Not included:

Imran
Hadlee
Sachin
Marshall
McGrath
Murali
Warne
Kallis
Lara
Smith
Smith
 
R

Randomfan

U19 12th Man
I find it hard to pick top 5 when mixing batsmen with bowlers, but top 5 cricketers for me will from this set,

---------------

Bowlers : Marshall, McGrath , Hadlee, Murali, Warne

Batsmen : Sachin, Viv, Smith, Lara

All rounders : IK, Kallis

---------------



I won't be too sure, but if I try to compress it more then I will pick 2 batsmen, 2 bowlers and 1 all rounder. A case can be made for a different combination as well.

-----------------

Marshall
McGrath

Sachin
Viv

IK

------------------
 
S

sams daneal

Cricket Spectator
Rob Wesley said:
Okay, let’s simply put forward the top 5 test cricketers that have played the game since 1970. I chose since 1970 criteria because I feel before that, there were only 3 quality sides- Aus, Eng, WI. So, we will look at more recent cricketers and higher number of quality oppositions.

My list:-

Batsman - Steve Smith
Bowlers - Warne, Marshall
All rounder - Imran

Now, 5th one is debatable. Should I go with Tendulkar/Lara/Viv, Kallis, Hadlee or McGrath or Murali.

I have gone with Hadlee due to his additional batting ability because he was probably only slightly below McGrath as bowler. It’s like #2 vs #3 but he is a very capable batsman.

Batting wise, I feel Tendulkar makes strong case due to his all format greatness but in Tests, he wasn’t the clear best batter of his generation. Lara was also weak vs top 4-5 opponents in 1990s and Viv’s test career stats wasn’t staggering either. Steve Smith though has all boxes ticked. He dominated England and India both home and away over a series and has great record in pretty much all conditions. Not this discussion is only about Test cricket.

My top 5:-

Marshall
Smith
Imran
Warne
Hadlee

Pick yours?
Click to expand...
Steve Smith
Marshal
McGrath
Imran
Warne
 
Red_Ink_Squid

Red_Ink_Squid

Global Moderator
Top 5 batsmen: Viv/Sachin/Lara/Jadeja/Woakes
Top 5 bowlers: Hadlee/Marshall/McGrath/Jadeja/Woakes
Top 5 allrounders: Imran/Kallis/Pollock/Jadeja/Woakes

Overall, ordered:

Woakes
Jadeja
Ravi Bopara
Kallis
---
Hadlee
Imran
Marshall
Murali
Warne
Root
Sangakkara
McGrath
 
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