Better opener : Graeme Smith vs Sehwag

[kyear2]

Sehwag wasn't exactly a flat track bully. He was a genius to spin, and last I checked turners aren't flat tracks.

As an opener outside of the sub continent, being a genius to spin and borderline useless to movement isn't exactly a force multiplier.

 

[sayon basak]

Smith averages 40+ in 8/10 countries.
Sehwag averages 40+ in 5/9 countries.

Smith averages 39.3 in Aus and 36 in India.

Sehwag averages 35 in Bangladesh, 27 in England, 25 in SouthAfrica and 20 in NewZealand.

Don't consider that as an opponent.

 

[capt_Luffy]

As an opener outside of the sub continent, being a genius to spin and borderline useless to movement isn't exactly a force multiplier.

Counterpoint: He played 65% of his matches in Asia and was pretty great in Australia.

 

[sayon basak]

This is much closer than the poll suggests, even if Smith's better.

 

[h_hurricane]

I wonder how the careers would have been if Sehwag and Dravid switched batting positions.

Definitely made a lot of sense in places like Eng and NZ. However, Dravid himself was a reluctant opener iirc.

Interestingly, Sehwag had a good 2002 series in England and only brought down that record in 2011, the only other series he played there. So people only knew retrospectively that he sucked there.

 

[kyear2]

Think Smith here. Has a more than decent argument to be seen as the best opener since Gavaskar and had possibly the most difficult job in cricket.

 

[kyear2]

Counterpoint: He played 65% of his matches in Asia and was pretty great in Australia.

Counter point, what would you consider the most important skill for an opener?

 

[DrWolverine]

Think Smith here. Has a more than decent argument to be seen as the best opener since Gavaskar and had possibly the most difficult job in cricket.

Graeme Smith is my top choice pick for the best test opener since Sunil Gavaskar.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Counter point, what would you consider the most important skill for an opener?

Counterpoint: scoring runs in the matches they play in

 

[BazBall21]

Counterpoint: He played 65% of his matches in Asia and was pretty great in Australia.

Not convinced by him in Australia. He didn't face very good attacks there.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Not convinced by him in Australia. He didn't face very good attacks there.

Not his fault really. Has a good output there overall.

 

[subshakerz]

Counterpoint: scoring runs in the matches they play in

That would make Sanga better than Tendulkar

 

[capt_Luffy]

That would make Sanga better than Tendulkar

Not really since he scored many of those against weaker teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

 

[BazBall21]

Not his fault really. Has a good output there overall.

Not his fault is a different point. I don't think he can be passed off as great in Australian conditions given the attacks he faced there. I couldn't see him doing much in the upcoming BGT if he was around now.

 

[BazBall21]

Not really since he scored many of those against weaker teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

Take out Bangaldesh&Zimbabwe for both and Sangakkara still averages more.

Tendulkar is better because he has a more balanced record. Sehwag was a beast in Asia but below par outside which is where you actually need specialist openers.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Take out Bangaldesh&Zimbabwe for both and Sangakkara still averages more.

Tendulkar is better because he has a more balanced record. Sehwag was a beast in Asia but below par outside which is where you actually need specialist openers.

Again, I already said Smith is the better opener. Just that he gets too big a leniency for his home record often, especially vs Australia.

 

[BazBall21]

Again, I already said Smith is the better opener. Just that he gets too big a leniency for his home record often, especially vs Australia.

Yeah I agree there. Think Smith is a bit overestimated on here. He had obvious technique problems and has a lot of fat in his record.

 

[subshakerz]

Not really since he scored many of those against weaker teams like Bangladesh and Zimbabwe.

I think you are confusing utility for a team with actual player quality.

 

[subshakerz]

Yeah I agree there. Think Smith is a bit overestimated on here. He had obvious technique problems and has a lot of fat in his record.

All of that applies moreso to Sehwag.

 

[capt_Luffy]

All of that applies moreso to Sehwag.

It does, but being Great in where they are great at also applies more to him.