Garry Sobers vs Imran Khan

[Coronis]

All the "it's not close" voters – shame on you.

Uh-oh

 

[ankitj]

And we just had an entire argument on what an AT XI without Sobers would like like. We have arguments on whether Imran makes the team.

Gentle reminder. Fictitious ATG XI composition has zero bearing on how good a player was at test cricket which is played between national teams.

 

[ankitj]

Uh-oh

OK. All the "it's not close" voters – what are you smoking?

 

[sayon basak]

All the "it's not close" voters – shame on you.

OK. All the "it's not close" voters – what are you smoking?

@PlayerComparisons

 

[Coronis]

OK. All the "it's not close" voters – what are you smoking?

Oh no it was just a facetious uh-oh. I’d love some pushback from these guys. Some dramatic pushback!

 

[Migara]

I would strenuously argue that Sobers bowling was better than Imran's batting. Not to add more impactful.

Well there were times GSS was brilliant with ball especially early in his career. And in last decade of his career Imran averaged 50 with the bat. That is bloody effective consistency.

 

[Migara]

Sir Garry. Comfortably the greatest cricketing being to ever walk this planet, if Bradman never existed.
Once in a lifetime type player.

Imran and Sobers are easily better cricketers than Bradman.

 

[Coronis]

Imran and Sobers are easily better cricketers than Bradman.

Oh dear oh dear

 

[Chin Music]

Sobers above as a bat than what Imran was as a bowler, probably there is a decent gap but not overwhelming. Sobers as a bowler and Imran as a bat, that's probably closer still. Arguably Imran, as he was a respectable no.6 in the latter part of his career if he had never bowled a ball. Then there is the fielding. That's where you say overall that it is Sobers.

 

[sayon basak]

Imran and Sobers are easily better cricketers than Bradman.

I know what to do with this.

 

[Coronis]

I know what to do with this.

“Sobers and Imran and its not close”

 

[Slifer]

The thing about Sobers' versatility is unique. He literally could bat anywhere in the order from opening to number 7: he has a century at each position. He batted well from the first through 4th innings. He bowled everything: orthodox, wrist and pace. Granted he was an okay bowler but at least he was versatile. His fielding was icing on the cake, especially close in. But again he could literally field anywhere. Outstanding cricketer....curious why he sucked so badly vs NZ of all teams.

 

[Coronis]

The thing about Sobers' versatility is unique. He literally could bat anywhere in the order from opening to number 7: he has a century at each position. He batted well from the first through 4th innings. He bowled everything: orthodox, wrist and pace. Granted he was an okay bowler but at least he was versatile. His fielding was icing on the cake, especially close in. But again he could literally field anywhere. Outstanding cricketer....curious why he sucked so badly vs NZ of all teams.

Some very notable Windies players have been quite poor/subpar vs NZ (or just in NZ)

Averages against NZ
Lara 41.41
Sobers 23.76
Lloyd 16.71

Holding 34.56
Gibbs 57.18
Roberts 65.33

In NZ
Lara 36.90
Richards 19.25
Lloyd 15.27
Sobers 15.10

Marshall 32.11
Gibbs 45.25
Holding 47.85
Roberts 65.33

Then of course you have guys like Greenidge, Garner and Walsh who were very successful against them.

 

[capt_Luffy]

The thing about Sobers' versatility is unique. He literally could bat anywhere in the order from opening to number 7: he has a century at each position. He batted well from the first through 4th innings. He bowled everything: orthodox, wrist and pace. Granted he was an okay bowler but at least he was versatile. His fielding was icing on the cake, especially close in. But again he could literally field anywhere. Outstanding cricketer....curious why he sucked so badly vs NZ of all teams.

On sucking vs NZ, Bumrah averages more than 45 vs NZ, which is more than twice he does against any country he ever played.

 

[Thala_0710]

On sucking vs NZ, Bumrah averages more than 45 vs NZ, which is more than twice he does against any country he ever played.

Means that he is on the track to greatness

 

[Line and Length]

The whole concept of even considering Sobers and Imran being remotely on the same level is beyond my comprehension.

 

[sayon basak]

The whole concept of even considering Sobers and Imran being remotely on the same level is beyond my comprehension.

Top 2 vs Top 5 of all time. Wouldn't that be close?

 

[capt_Luffy]

The whole concept of even considering Sobers and Imran being remotely on the same level is beyond my comprehension.

Nah. Either you are WAYYYYYYYYY overrating Sobers or Wayer underrating Imran. Or both simultaneously.

 

[sayon basak]

Nah. Either you are WAYYYYYYYYY overrating Sobers or Wayer underrating Imran. Or both simultaneously.

Or maybe something like this:-

Imran and Sobers are easily better cricketers than Bradman.

 

[sayon basak]

Coincidence?