CW Ranks the Batsmen

[G.I.Joe]

still dont understand how SRT could be at 4 and Lara still hasnt slotted in when it is so obvious to me that both batsmen were virtually interchangeable (in tests).

Theres your answer

 

[zaremba]

Not sure how this voting system is working at all. But for want of anything better to do I'll vote for

Hammond
Ranji

 

[Slifer]

Theres your answer

Still dont understand how SRT could be at 4 and Lara still hasnt made it in yet, when based on stats and achievements in tests they are virtually interchangeable. Better??

 

[Maximus0723]

B.c this is not just for Tests. It includes both ODI and Test, iirc.

 

[Slifer]

Ok so how did Hobbs get in above IVAR seeing that Hobbs never played ODIs. Not saying IVAR is a better test batsman but its not as if he is that better than Viv plus Viv was the ultimate Odi batter. Ne way moving on......

 

[Days of Grace]

197 First class centuries not enough for you?

 

[Burgey]

still dont understand how SRT could be at 4 and Lara still hasnt slotted in when it is so obvious to me that both batsmen were virtually interchangeable (in tests).

You're ignoring the deification factor.

 

[silentstriker]

Ok so how did Hobbs get in above IVAR seeing that Hobbs never played ODIs. Not saying IVAR is a better test batsman but its not as if he is that better than Viv plus Viv was the ultimate Odi batter. Ne way moving on......

Well, I think anyone from #2-#10 is interchangeable, so you can't pay too much attention to who goes where in that range. It would change every time we did it.

After Bradman, I'd really have:

Chappell, Hobbs, Sobers, Tendulkar, Hutton, Lara, Hammond, Richards, Sutcliffe, and Gavaskar all in the next tier. I have specific reasons for rankings within that group, but I can't really blame anyone for choosing one over the other. I think their stats are similar enough to warrant that interchangeability. So I wouldn't really start worrying unless Lara drops out of the top 10 or something, because really, it's all very similar in the second tier.

He won't go down to the third tier of batsmen, which in my opinion include guys like Miandad, Inzamam, Kallis, Dravid, Border, Waugh, Ponting. I have my rankings within that group too, but generally, I tend to look at it as 1) Bradman 2) Tier 2 in any order 3) Tier 3 in any order

 

[Burgey]

And that's probably the most reasonable way to look at it, tbh, given the variables at play between fellas with similar averages who played over such different eras.

 

[adharcric]

still dont understand how SRT could be at 4 and Lara still hasnt slotted in when it is so obvious to me that both batsmen were virtually interchangeable (in tests).

That's your opinion. I'd take Sachin for my own reasons, others may take Lara for other reasons but I don't think it's that "obvious" that these two are "virtually interchangeable". Of course, there isn't much to separate them but this ranking system is all about making such tough calls between all-time greats. Besides, we've seen how just a few votes can make a player slide down several places - i.e., Grace had been in the running for several positions before finally getting through. More votes means less volatile and more accurate results, so high participation is the key here.

Ok so how did Hobbs get in above IVAR seeing that Hobbs never played ODIs. Not saying IVAR is a better test batsman but its not as if he is that better than Viv plus Viv was the ultimate Odi batter. Ne way moving on......

You're free to focus purely on test cricket or take other forms (ODI, FC) into account as well. You can opt for Gavaskar (if ODIs don't mean much to you) or Bevan (if they mean a lot) - that's why this process is so interesting IMO. It reveals not only how the CW community ranks cricketers but also our inclinations towards different formats, eras and qualities.

 

[adharcric]

Vote for #8 batsman of all-time

Hammond takes it.

1. Don Bradman
2. Jack Hobbs
3. Garry Sobers
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Viv Richards
6. WG Grace
7. Wally Hammond

The vote for the #8 batsman of all-time begins now.

 

[Burgey]

1. G Chappell
2. Macartney.

 

[SJS]

Hammond takes it.

1. Don Bradman
2. Jack Hobbs
3. Garry Sobers
4. Sachin Tendulkar
5. Viv Richards
6. WG Grace
7. Wally Hammond

The vote for the #8 batsman of all-time begins now.

• WG Grace : (1880-1899)
• Jack Hobbs (1907-1930)
• Don Bradman (1928-1948)
• Wally Hammond (1925-1950)
• Garry Sobers (1953-1973)
• Viv Richards (1974-1991)
• Sachin Tendulkar (1989-2009 . . . )

What a fabulous line up ? And unwittingly, we have covered the entire period of the cricketing era. With just two careers really over lapping each other Bradman and Hammond - fittingly from the great batting era between the two wars.

Just goes to show that collectively it is unlikely that a big enough group of cricket enthusiasts will make shocking selections and that even if you dont agree in their actual ranking (which is a silly childish idea anyway) the truly great will always be in truly great company and thats what matters. Those eight above are truly great players rank them anyway you want it doesn't matter. They all belong in the elite group and none of them look awkward in that company. If we add five more greats to that, it wont take away from the group, nor will it reflect badly on an individual - this is what we need to understand as we try to appreciate the greats of the game irrespective of the eras and irrespective of whether we saw them or not and irrespective of what those silly digits we are so enamoured with say to us.

Well done.

 

[Johnners]

Ponting
Lara

 

[NUFAN]

Brian Lara
Greg Chappell.

 

[honestbharani]

Lara
G. Chappell

 

[Fusion]

Lara
Chappell

Again.

 

[Maximus0723]

Chappell
Lara

 

[Dissector]

Chappell
Lara

 

[vic_orthdox]

1. May
2. Trumper