Bradman- status as the greatest batsman ever under threat?

[Red]

In a nutshell: While Bradman's status as the greatest batsman is increasingly under threat, no one raises an eyebrow at Garry Sobers being called the greatest allrounder.

That's from Gary (Garry) Sobers' cricinfo profile. WTF?

 

[Cabinet96]

We actually have debates about whether Sobers is the greatest allrounder ever (even if people do get a bit touchy about other candidates, most notably a certain South African). No such debates occur with regards to the best batsman ever.

 

[fredfertang]

The writer might mean that no one attempts to be batsman, finger spinner, wrist spinner and quick bowler whereas plenty try to be the greatest batsman ever - but more likely he or she is a total ****wit

 

[Expressway76]

That line was written after the meteoric rise of Ravi Bopara.

 

[Red]

Another lame appeal (which ignores all the facts) to a particularly large cricket demographic.

 

[kyear2]

Don't think that Sachin is even the second best, so no one seriously believes he is the best.

 

[Mister Wright]

Let's not forgot that Bradman scored his runs on only two countries (Australia & England). While I'm sure he would have been fantastic in other places around the world, he never played on spinning wickets in India, pacey pitches in the West Indies or raging seamers in New Zealand. There are many factors that make Bradman the great batsman he is and he is undoubtedly the greatest batsman of his time, but who's to say he wouldn't have been Ricky Ponting like and averaged well below his career average on turning pitches in India.

I'm not saying at all that he shouldn't be rated as the greatest batsman ever, in fact I think he is, but these questions are rarely asked when we do compare him to other players.

 

[Burgey]

No.

 

[Coronis]

Let's not forgot that Bradman scored his runs on only two countries (Australia & England). While I'm sure he would have been fantastic in other places around the world, he never played on spinning wickets in India, pacey pitches in the West Indies or raging seamers in New Zealand. There are many factors that make Bradman the great batsman he is and he is undoubtedly the greatest batsman of his time, but who's to say he wouldn't have been Ricky Ponting like and averaged well below his career average on turning pitches in India.

I'm not saying at all that he shouldn't be rated as the greatest batsman ever, in fact I think he is, but these questions are rarely asked when we do compare him to other players.

I don't remember any other great batsman averaging 99.94 in Australia and England. Can't really try and mark him down for that anyway, its not his fault he never played anywhere else.

 

[watson]

Just out of interest - has there ever been a Draft with a 'NO TENDULKAR' rule?

 

[kyear2]

Well I actually disagree with the "no Bradman" rules as well.

 

[honestbharani]

If it is upto PEWS, there will be a "no Kallis" rule..

 

[Dan]

You cannot have a Kallisball draft without Kallis though. It just doesn't work.

 

[honestbharani]

Well.. I think it is fair that Allan Border doesn't remain in contention for the Allan Border Medal..

 

[Daemon]

Literally 0 educated fans consider Tendulkar the best ever, this fanboy bull**** is blown way out of proportion.

 

[harsh.ag]

Ah.. I go off CW for a month, and **** hits the fan

What's with the new layout?

But good to see that Cricinfo authors and mods are taking their loyalty to Tendulkar fans so seriously. Heil Sachin!

On a side note, apologies to CW and especially Nufan for dropping out of the Sheep Thread without a word. Long trip. Old friends. No internet. Just good old fashioned stuff

 

[Kirkut]

Viv Richards didn't like leg spinners, although a demolisher of pace bowling.

Tendulkar has no documented technical weakness, but he has a controlled aggression and wouldn't exactly go nuts after bowlers like Viv and Lara did in their primes.

Dravid hated left armers, Laxman had no idea against inswing.

Waugh brothers remained illiterate in the education of hooking and pulling, even Ajinkya Rahane has a better hook shot.

In short, I'm saying that the status of "the greatest batsman" DOES NOT EXIST. Every batsman around the world has weakness which could be a strength for the other batsman and vice versa.

 

[Dan]

Waugh brothers remained illiterate in the education of hooking and pulling, even Ajinkya Rahane has a better hook shot.

Steve Waugh could play the shot, he just opted not to because he felt it was too risky. And Mark frustrated the WI quicks by backing away and uppercutting, which was more effective because they didn't have a man out at third man for the catch.

 

[harsh.ag]

In short, I'm saying that the status of "the greatest batsman" DOES NOT EXIST. Every batsman around the world has weakness which could be a strength for the other batsman and vice versa.

I think by your criteria "The Best Batsman" does not exist. But the greatest does. To your left.

 

[Spark]

lol at the idea of tendulkar having no documented technical weakness