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Besides Root Will Any England Batter Average Over 40 This Decade?

mackembhoy

International Regular
Interestingly, I see Ballance (who I mentioned when making my earlier prediction) now turns out for Zimbabwe, and lo and behold is averaging above 40.
You predicted Ballance would average 40+ for England in the period of Feb 2022- December 2029

On what planet did you expect him to get a recall?
 

Coronis

International Coach
Yeah it was because I know a lot about cricket you see.

Edit: On a serious note, it wasn't a very bold prediction at the time, despite what various other contributors seemed to suggest. Outside of Australia most of the teams England will play are somewhere around the mediocre-to-prank level. Averaging 40 (which is, as discussed previously, very average), should not be a challenge to any batter who is vaguely...not crap.
Oh I don’t think it was outlandish, just ya know, gotta get my kicks where possible. Have a feeling Crawley might end up one of those English bats who play ~100 tests and end up with an average in the 30’s, like Atherton, Stewart and Hussain.
 

ma1978

International Debutant
Oh I don’t think it was outlandish, just ya know, gotta get my kicks where possible. Have a feeling Crawley might end up one of those English bats who play ~100 tests and end up with an average in the 30’s, like Atherton, Stewart and Hussain.
got some work to do to get the 30. How thehell does he have 37 tests
 

sledger

Spanish_Vicente
You predicted Ballance would average 40+ for England in the period of Feb 2022- December 2029

On what planet did you expect him to get a recall?
I didn't predict that at all. Neither did I expect him to get a recall. My post said nothing of the sort, so I can only assume you didn't read it before replying.

I just used Ballance as an example of an utterly mediocre player who would only be required to play a few more tests and smash some crap opposition to average 40, which he has now done (the fact that this was done not playing for England notwithstanding). The overall point being: it's no great shakes to average 40.
 

mackembhoy

International Regular
I didn't predict that at all. Neither did I expect him to get a recall. My post said nothing of the sort, so I can only assume you didn't read it before replying.

I just used Ballance as an example of an utterly mediocre player who would only be required to play a few more tests and smash some crap opposition to average 40, which he has now done (the fact that this was done not playing for England notwithstanding). The overall point being: it's no great shakes to average 40.
No I didn't read it.

Pope, Stokes and Bairstow all got a pretty difficult job to get their average into the 40s. I'd have all as better players than Ballance too. So I disagree with your point.

Root is the only England player to really average 40 for a considerable time since Cook retired. So harder than you say.

RE Ballance he retired after 1 test for Zimbabwe, stat patting a ton not out against the Windies. Pretty much his career stat padding at home against crap opposition.
 

mackembhoy

International Regular
Harry Brook!He will fail against top oppositions but can cash in on weaker sides.
Guess India will be a big litmus test for him. Good player of spin who had a very bizarre debut IPL

But imagine every pitch will be a complete bunsen, like the last tour after Kohli had a hissy fit over the first pitch.

So probably be every england player averaging between 0-24
 

91Jmay

International Coach
We should’ve had a thread going about how low his average would go after the Ashes.
I mean he is averaging 37 and is 8th on run scoring charts so he isn't actually doing that badly after being awful at Lords. Still above 60 currently. He's playing much more correctly, I was worried massively after first two Tests but he tweaked his method impressively in such a short 2nd to 3rd Test turnaround.
 

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