Battle of the Cricketers

[Barney Rubble]

Got to be Bradman for me - although I would have voted for AAD over 99% of other players.

 

[Pothas]

bradman

 

[BoyBrumby]

I think AD is guaranteed at least the one vote, but for me it has to be the nonpareil

Bradman

 

[twctopcat]

I think and hope Rich gives AAD the token vote at least, but for me it is of course Bradman.

P.s i thought Bradman and Sobers were going to be left out of this battle, as, if the draw allows, they will surely be the final two. And no prizes for guessing the eventual winner.

 

[marc71178]

If he was a specialist bat he would still be a remarkable talent, but that's like saying "would Knott be a legend of English cricket if he didn't keep?" or "would Kapil Dev be a legend of Indian cricket if he didn't bat?". Gilchrist would be an excellent batsman if he didn't keep, but the fact that he's also an extremely good keeper and is one of the most prolific in history in terms of dismissal along with his brilliant batting is what makes him an all-time great.

But is he perceived as such a talent because he has batted at 7 for so long?

Dismissal's taken by a keeper are far more influenced by the quality of the attack he's kept to and longevity than anything else (if he were Zimbabwean would he have anywhere near that number?)

 

[Slifer]

Bradman

 

[Burpey]

D.G. Bradman

 

[Dasa]

Token vote for AAD.

 

[shaka]

Tough matchup for AD but have to go with DB

 

[Blaze]

Donald

 

[Shounak]

Bradman

 

[Anil]

the don

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

But is he perceived as such a talent because he has batted at 7 for so long?

Would Bradman have been rubbish if he'd opened? Who knows. The fact is that Gilchrist has batted at 7 for most of his career, been an excellent keeper and is also one of the most dangerous batsmen of all time. The mere fact that he averages in the mid 50s over a lengthy career with a strike rate in the 80s is absolutely phenomenal.

Dismissal's taken by a keeper are far more influenced by the quality of the attack he's kept to and longevity than anything else (if he were Zimbabwean would he have anywhere near that number?)

Yes, I was simply illustrating the point that he's been a very successful keeper. If he was not top shelf with the gloves he most likely would have played as a specialist batsman for a significant part of his career, like other would-be keepers who were good with the bat like Walcott and Flower (not that Flower was poor with the gloves particularly).

 

[archie mac]

Braddles

 

[andyc]

Bradman, obviously. A proven freak

 

[honestbharani]

Bradman. Because Donald already has the token votes.

 

[Jamee999]

15-2 to Bradman

ROUND TWO ----- ----- BATTLE NINE

L Hutton (England) (RHB, LB)

SM Gavaskar(India) (RHB,RM)

 

[Barney Rubble]

Wow. A real tough one.

Hutton gets it though.

 

[The Baconator]

Gavaskar

 

[twctopcat]

As much as i rate Hutton there is something about Gavaskar and his record against the windies that wins it for me. Gavaskar for me.