Inzamam vs Virat

[subshakerz]

Meh, I don't think that's totally true for most but the biggest of narcs and spotlight lovers.

Kohli?

 

[Johan]

ight what the **** was that stunt after Smith's dismissal

 

[capt_Luffy]

Kohli?

He is a huge narc, but more than the fear of losing the spotlight it's really his ego making him think he has still got it really.

 

[BazBall21]

Imo people who bat for average like Chanderpaul and refused to change the way they bat at all like Boycott can also be called selfish imo.

That second part quite often is just limitation-related, still a critique perhaps but not necessarily of one's character. Boycott probably did have the ability to be a bit more positive overall but wouldn't feature in declaration innings nowadays which is where he often gets marked down.

 

[capt_Luffy]

That second part quite often is just limitation-related, still a critique perhaps but not necessarily of one's character. Boycott probably did have the ability to be a bit more positive overall but wouldn't feature in declaration innings nowadays which is where he often gets marked down.

I don't think what he might do nowadays is a good judge really over what he did. Boycott was not just limited (he was more than most other batsmen of his class) but he also actively refused to try for his team, almost always. That's being a selfish prick, if your own team mate feels running you out is the only way to victory.

 

[subshakerz]

That second part quite often is just limitation-related, still a critique perhaps but not necessarily of one's character. Boycott probably did have the ability to be a bit more positive overall but wouldn't feature in declaration innings nowadays which is where he often gets marked down.

I always gave a bit extra allowance for openers to be slower.

 

[capt_Luffy]

I always gave a bit extra allowance for openers to be slower.

Me too, especially for English and Saffa (and Kiwi) openers like Hutton, Sutcliffe, Mitchell, etc. They are better that way than batting like Viv or Sehwag. But Boycott's active refusal to try to win is my problem with him

 

[Coronis]

iirc Boycott scored an ODI ton (105 off 124) against Lillee and Thommo in ‘79.

His fastest test century was 115 off 180 (100 off 160) vs NZ in ‘73. Described as green pitch initially, rain after lunch for the rest of Day 2 with Boycott on 41* and he continued the next morning. Fairly impressive considering the conditions, despite the bowling attack.

 

[Coronis]

Me too, especially for English and Saffa (and Kiwi) openers like Hutton, Sutcliffe, Mitchell, etc. They are better that way than batting like Viv or Sehwag. But Boycott's active refusal to try to win is my problem with him

I mean, a large part of an openers job is to see off the new ball. Best way to do that? Soak up a lot of deliveries. Would I rather have Bradman coming in after 10 overs or say 25? (assuming the scores are equal)

 

[Johan]

ight what the **** was that stunt after Smith's dismissal

 

[BazBall21]

I don't think what he might do nowadays is a good judge really over what he did. Boycott was not just limited (he was more than most other batsmen of his class) but he also actively refused to try for his team, almost always. That's being a selfish prick, if your own team mate feels running you out is the only way to victory.

Yeah that incident was specifically a declaration innings. Teams are more flexible in situations like that now which is progression. Boycott's tempo being very rigid wasn't ideal, but honestly it doesn't bother me that much when he scored so many runs, especially as an opener which is harder and also affords more leeway to scoring rate. It is interesting that if he batted regularly at 5 he would probably have a similar strike rate to Allan Border who is rarely if ever criticised for his tempo.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Yeah that incident was specifically a declaration innings. Teams are more flexible in situations like that now which is progression. Boycott's tempo being very rigid wasn't ideal, but honestly it doesn't bother me that much when he scored so many runs, especially as an opener which is harder and also affords more leeway to scoring rate. It is interesting that if he batted regularly at 5 he would probably have a similar strike rate to Allan Border who is rarely if ever criticised for his tempo.

Imo that comes down to:
A) Border was the penultimate team man, despite his overall SR and low batting position.
B) As I said, teams are more flexible now but don't honestly think that works as an argument for Boycott unless you are making an arbitrary AT XI, which I find a very fun exercise (afterall almost on a year long quest of making team after team) but don't think is a method any useful in judging a player. I rate Boycott higher than Greenidge for how much he scored but lower than Kanhai/May for the way he refused to adapt.

 

[honestbharani]

Border was the penultimate team man

Coz Sachin is the ultimate one?

 

[capt_Luffy]

I mean, a large part of an openers job is to see off the new ball. Best way to do that? Soak up a lot of deliveries. Would I rather have Bradman coming in after 10 overs or say 25? (assuming the scores are equal)

Exactly why I said I would prefer a Hutton or Sutcliffe than a Viv or Sehwag opening. But Boycott was just way too rigid for me to not dock points.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Coz Sachin is the ultimate one?

More like Dravid really (especially if to go by my father)

 

[Johan]

Coz Sachin is the ultimate one?

Brian Lara

 

[BazBall21]

Imo that comes down to:
A) Border was the penultimate team man, despite his overall SR and low batting position.
B) As I said, teams are more flexible now but don't honestly think that works as an argument for Boycott unless you are making an arbitrary AT XI, which I find a very fun exercise (afterall almost on a year long quest of making team after team) but don't think is a method any useful in judging a player. I rate Boycott higher than Greenidge for how much he scored but lower than Kanhai/May for the way he refused to adapt.

Border often let the tail take up plenty of the strike when he was batting with them. That would be called selfish today.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Border often let the tail take up plenty of the strike when he was batting with them. That would be called selfish today.

Careful @Burgey doesn't hears that...... Border hiding down that often in that weak a line-up is a very valid criticism though and what separates him from Lara/Richards territory for me largely.

 

[Coronis]

Border was the penultimate team man

Interesting