Garry Sobers vs Len Hutton

[PlayerComparisons]

Two entertainers

 

[Johan]

Hutton just for me personally, a more satisfying away record (55 vs 50), higher percentage of career in a tougher batting era, less games against the weaker sides while also facing the opener tax.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Very close, could go either way really. Hutton had tougher conditions, Sobers the longevity.

 

[Johan]

Very close, could go either way really. Hutton had tougher conditions, Sobers the longevity.

1937-1955 is not so different than 1954-1974 No?

 

[capt_Luffy]

1937-1955 is not so different than 1954-1974 No?

3 years gap. Also Sobers began as a bowling all-rounder. As I said, it's very close. Will take both over Richards.

 

[Johan]

3 years gap. Also Sobers began as a bowling all-rounder. As I said, it's very close. Will take both over Richards.

2, but fair enough, if you wanna be super technical then Sobers played 7,305 days to Hutton 6,481 days so 2 years and 3 months more On Richards, Still haven't made my mind on Hutton vs Richards

 

[Coronis]

2, but fair enough, if you wanna be super technical then Sobers played 7,305 days to Hutton 6,481 days so 2 years and 3 months more On Richards, Still haven't made my mind on Hutton vs Richards

If you want to actually be technical Hutton had a casual 6 year break in playing FC cricket.

 

[Johan]

If you want to actually be technical Hutton had a casual 6 year break in playing FC cricket.

can't really blame him for it, would be like comparing Sober's longevity to Cook and complaining about Sobers only playing 93 games.

 

[Coronis]

can't really blame him for it, would be like comparing Sober's longevity to Cook and complaining about Sobers only playing 93 games.

You’re the one bringing up technicalities lol.

 

[Johan]

You’re the one bringing up technicalities lol.

on the timeframe Yeah, Luffy said 3 so I said 2.25 etc

 

[shortpitched713]

Shouldn't be that close, really. Sobers with a better average, played against on the whole better bowling, and had greater longevity (all while being a workhorse bowler). Best Besides Bradman for mine.

Only thing in Hutton's favor is opening, and definitely not enough to overcome the gap of all 3 above factors combined.

 

[Johan]

Shouldn't be that close, really. Sobers with a better average, played against on the whole better bowling, and had greater longevity.

Only thing in Hutton's favor is opening, and definitely not enough to overcome the gap of all 3 above factors combined.

Better away record, far tougher home conditions in the second part of his career, far lesser percentage of games against weaker sides etc is also a thing, not sure about Sobers playing against better bowlers either

 

[shortpitched713]

Better away record, far tougher home conditions in the second part of his career, far lesser percentage of games against weaker sides etc is also a thing, not sure about Sobers playing against better bowlers either

Many more players who would qualify as actual quicks in Sobers time compared to Hutton.

Plus there is the bowling workload as we, which I edited into my post. It definitely plays a part in making Sober's batting job harder, and thus ultimately a more remarkable achievement.

 

[Johan]

Many more players who would qualify as actual quicks in Sobers time compared to Hutton.

Plus there is the bowling workload as we, which I edited into my post. It definitely plays a part in making Sober's batting job harder, and thus ultimately a more remarkable achievement.

there's not enough time between them really, Trueman is the only one really I reckon, McKenzie was quick but average, India and Pakistan had nothing in term of genuine pacers and he averages Bradmanesque against them, and the Australia Sobers faced is substantially weaker if anything.

pitch difference is substantial, one was playing in a seamer's paradise and one played all his career on dry grassless wickets that were often dubbed batter paradises.

Bowling workload arguments cross over to player discussion where Sobers easily wins, limited to batting, Hutton has a more flawless record in tougher conditions.

 

[kyear2]

Better away record, far tougher home conditions in the second part of his career, far lesser percentage of games against weaker sides etc is also a thing, not sure about Sobers playing against better bowlers either

The tougher home conditions were really only the last 5 years of his career. Sobers also batted more years in the 50's than Hutton.

Re the bowlers, Sobers faced all the pacers that Hutton did, plus Trueman, Lillee, Snow, Statham, Fazal etc.

Think Sobers also may have faced more of Davidson and Benaud, though can't say I actually checked.

He also crushes him on s/r and iconic innings.

 

[Johan]

The tougher home conditions were really only the last 5 years of his career. Sobers also batted more years in the 50's than Hutton.

Re the bowlers, Sobers faced all the pacers that Hutton did, plus Trueman, Lillee, Snow, Statham, Fazal etc.

Think Sobers also may have faced more of Davidson and Benaud, though can't say I actually checked.

He also crushes him on s/r and iconic innings.

I mean, that's half his home games, it's a completely even split with 1/2 of his home games in uber bowling era and 1/2 in uber batting era, his performance didn't change at all which tells me he's the type of batter who takes the pitch out of the equation.

simply speaking, 50s West Indies and England are two different worlds, in West Indies even Trueman struggled and the pitches were so flat they went sessions without games, England was so seamer friendly that some Cricketers reckon that people who bowl low 70mph like Cartwright and Shackleton would've more success than Trueman and Statham, infact, if you want to see the difference...

average runs per wicket in Tests between England, Australia, South Africa and West Indies between 1949-50 and 1958-59:

In England: 28.10
In Australia: 27.01
In South Africa: 25.93
In West Indies: 39.58

infact, away batters also found West Indies the easiest to navigate, away batter averages

in England: 20.96
in Australia: 23.80
in South Africa: 27.28
in New Zealand: 33.66
in India: 32.79
in West Indies: 37.31

Touring bowlers of the time, especially pacers, also found West Indies by far the most brutal in this era. Trueman, Miller, Lindwall, Fazal — all averaged north of 30 in West Indies

in England: 28.89
in Australia: 26.65
in South Africa: 23.06
in West Indies: 40.14

even at their prime, both Hutton and Harvey outbatted the three Ws on their own home turf, the pitches were lifeless batting paradises, there's no denying that.

well I guess he did technically face them but he didn't perform against Lindwall era Australia, I think naturally Sobers got a far higher percentage of games with the weaker sides so facing a couple more very good bowlers is a given imo, he also got a higher percentage of games against teams like India afterall. I'd put Hutton's 1950 and 53 Ashes right up there with the best serieses you can have.

Hutton iirc mostly faced Davo in tour games.

Sobers's SR is around 52-53, I don't think that's enough to claim advantage over a slower striking opener, if it was 70 like Viv or 60 like Lara, then sure.

 

[Coronis]

The tougher home conditions were really only the last 5 years of his career. Sobers also batted more years in the 50's than Hutton.

Re the bowlers, Sobers faced all the pacers that Hutton did, plus Trueman, Lillee, Snow, Statham, Fazal etc.

Think Sobers also may have faced more of Davidson and Benaud, though can't say I actually checked.

He also crushes him on s/r and iconic innings.

Actually they both played the same amount of years during the 50’s. Hutton’s was 38/79 matches and Sobers’ was 27/93 matches.

 

[capt_Luffy]

The tougher home conditions were really only the last 5 years of his career. Sobers also batted more years in the 50's than Hutton.

Re the bowlers, Sobers faced all the pacers that Hutton did, plus Trueman, Lillee, Snow, Statham, Fazal etc.

Think Sobers also may have faced more of Davidson and Benaud, though can't say I actually checked.

He also crushes him on s/r and iconic innings.

Pretty sure Hutton faced O'Reilly as well in his 364

 

[DrWolverine]

Len Hutton’s 364 resulted in the biggest margin as a win in history of test cricket - innings and 579 runs.

 

[Coronis]

Len Hutton’s 364 resulted in the biggest margin as a win in history of test cricket - innings and 579 runs.

Yes yes, very flat pitch Bradman and Fingleton unable to bat, McCabe opening the bowling etc.