Brian Lara vs Ricky Ponting

[Arachnödouche2.0]

Would Ponting have been as prolific in a poorer team? I think Australia's aura at the time kinda bled and dovetailed into his own assertiveness.

 

[Johan]

Would Ponting have been as prolific in a poorer team? I think Australia's aura at the time kinda bled and dovetailed into his own assertiveness.

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Ponting averaged noticeably less without Langer or Hayden

 

[DrWolverine]

Would Ponting have been as prolific in a poorer team? I think Australia's aura at the time kinda bled and dovetailed into his own assertiveness.

IMO NO

Playing for arguably the greatest team ever.

Playing alongside one of the best ever openers, second fastest bowler, arguably the greatest wicketkeeper batsman, fast bowler and spinner meant less pressure.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

He would have been fine in a weaker team. Hid games without Hayden and Langer were before his peak or after his peak.

His peak stats would have been worse playing in another era though.

 

[Johan]

He would have been fine in a weaker team. Hid games without Hayden and Langer were before his peak or after his peak.

His peak stats would have been worse playing in another era though.

He would have averaged 50+ regardless but batting era + Hayden/Langer taking the shine off the ball certainly helped, that's undeniable.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Yea I guess he averages like 69 instead of 72 during his 5 year peak without Hayden and Langer. He’d probably average more if he batted at #4 though.

 

[Johan]

I know why you chose 69, tho Ponting averaged 40 odd on number 4.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

I know why you chose 69, tho Ponting averaged 40 odd on number 4.

Most of those games were in 2011/2012 tbf

 

[Johan]

Most of those games were in 2011/2012 tbf

didn't do much at 4 in 2005/6 either, just not the natural position for him.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Yea 4 innings during his peak with one run out batting at 4 is a good sample size

 

[Johan]

He never scored at 4, Idk why you'd assume he'd average more when the spinners are on from ball one.

 

[Coronis]

Ponting was amazing but people got a tad carried away during his peak imo. There were several other players putting up comparable numbers even at the time. Great player but was never on Lara's level of genius.

Yeah people get caught up in the moment a lot. You can see it constantly in recent threads on current players, even those who’ve already had great and reasonably lengthy careers.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Yeah people get caught up in the moment a lot. You can see it constantly in recent threads on current players, even those who’ve already had great and reasonably lengthy careers.

Yea a lot of recency bias on here when players are in their peak. Players are rated more accurately after their careers are over.

 

[DrWolverine]

Yea a lot of recency bias on here when players are in their peak. Players are rated more accurately after their careers are over.

Steven Smith is a good example of it in recent times. A few years back he looked like he sealed the debate of being the second best batsman of all time.

 

[halba]

Brian Lara. Didnt have any support. more pressure.

 

[subshakerz]

Lara only thanks to peer rating and being relatively better in the 90s.

 

[Johan]

Lara only thanks to peer rating and being relatively better in the 90s.

I can think of a dozen arguments for Lara

 

[subshakerz]

I can think of a dozen arguments for Lara

Okay

 

[kyear2]

I can think of a dozen arguments for Lara

He can't help himself

 

[subshakerz]

He can't help himself

Jeez youre never happy.