Bradman and Marshall or Sobers and Imran

[kyear2]

If we were to start a team from scratch or even to add to a current average test team, with no great / ATG players. Which duo would you choose, the two (arguably) greatest specialists or the two greatest all rounders.
And yes, including all skills into consideration.

 

[ataraxia]

Tough one, though I imagine it will end up 15–3.

 

[The Sean]

If we were to start a team from scratch or even to add to a current average test team, with no great / ATG players. Which duo would you choose, the two (arguably) greatest specialists or the two greatest all rounders.
And yes, including all skills into consideration.

That's a good one.

 

[ankitj]

It will come down to slip catching I suppose

 

[Coronis]

Bradman makes it unfair being so far ahead.

If it was any other batsman e.g Hobbs, Tendulkar, Smith I’m picking the second duo.

 

[kyear2]

Bradman makes it unfair being so far ahead.

If it was any other batsman e.g Hobbs, Tendulkar, Smith I’m picking the second duo.

But it's arguable if they are alone better than Sobers.

 

[Coronis]

But it's arguable if they are alone better than Sobers.

I think a better comparison would be say.. Kallis + Imran vs Tendulkar + Marshall re: the debate of AR’s vs specialists.

 

[kyear2]

It will come down to slip catching I suppose

Well that was uncalled for. But at least I have an idea how the no votes were in the other thread.

 

[kyear2]

Bradman makes it unfair being so far ahead.

If it was any other batsman e.g Hobbs, Tendulkar, Smith I’m picking the second duo.

I genuinely thought the all rounders would win. But still lots of time.

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Marshall was a handy tailender though - slightly better than Warne and slightly worse than Wasim.

I think this poll would be closer if McGrath had been an option instead of Marshall.

 

[subshakerz]

Bradman is just too far ahead.

 

[Coronis]

I genuinely thought the all rounders would win. But still lots of time.

Yeah its just the Bradman factor really.

 

[TheJediBrah]

It's definitely Bradman/Marshall but it would be a closer competition if instead of Bradman it was a batsman who was maybe just a little bet better than Sobers

 

[ataraxia]

Tough one, though I imagine it will end up 15–3.

15–4, forgot the hb factor ngl.

It's definitely Bradman/Marshall but it would be a closer competition if instead of Bradman it was a batsman who was maybe just a little bet better than Sobers

No it wouldn't

 

[TheJediBrah]

No it wouldn't

How would it not be closer

 

[ataraxia]

How would it not be closer

Sobers & Imran against Tendulkar & Marshall would be a very easy call in favour of the all-rounders for an average test side.

 

[subshakerz]

I think a better comparison would be say.. Kallis + Imran vs Tendulkar + Marshall re: the debate of AR’s vs specialists.

Agree that would be a closer call.

 

[The Sean]

Bradman makes it unfair being so far ahead.

If it was any other batsman e.g Hobbs, Tendulkar, Smith I’m picking the second duo.

Yep, this was my rationale too. If it were literally any other batsman I'd have voted the other way.

 

[Prince EWS]

Yep, this was my rationale too. If it were literally any other batsman I'd have voted the other way.

Sobers being arguably the second best batsman himself does skew it a bit though, as does Marshall being able to bat a bit himself.

Tendulkar + McGrath vs Imran + Kallis might get to the heart of the question better but people have wildly differing views on Imran and Kallis as well so it's hard to find a good and fair fight.

EDIT: Just saw that Coronis already suggested that.

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

Bradman makes this one no brainer really as he is The Greatest Ever.

Any other batsman in history and it’s The All-rounders.

Edit- Recently saw that is already suggested by many others.