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Langer vs Slater, who was the better opening batsman?
- Thread starter pasag
- Start date
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Edge to Slater. Slightly more aggressive and dangerous, and most of his career was in the 90s when bowling standards were higher.
BoyBrumby
Englishman
Have to go with Langer, seemed to have more consistent success than Slats. Slater absolutely carved us up (I think half his test tons were against us?), but seemed to struggle against some of the better attacks.
I'd also consider Langer to be more of a quote-unquote "proper" opener; he could score quickly (he was unfairly pegged as a test specialist, although obviously one has to factor in who was opening for Oz in ODIs too), but equally could grind out the hard runs as well. Was impressive in a losing cause in 2005 (Australia's best top 7 bat for me, despite Ponting's magic ton in the third) where so many of his teammates failed.
I'd also consider Langer to be more of a quote-unquote "proper" opener; he could score quickly (he was unfairly pegged as a test specialist, although obviously one has to factor in who was opening for Oz in ODIs too), but equally could grind out the hard runs as well. Was impressive in a losing cause in 2005 (Australia's best top 7 bat for me, despite Ponting's magic ton in the third) where so many of his teammates failed.
PhoenixFire
International Coach
Langer for mine, better technically and had more grit and determination about him.
aussie tragic
International Captain
But you never voted though as Langer is leading 4:0
Anyway, I'm a huge Slater fan who as an opening batsmen changed the game by being extremely aggressive compared to Boycott, Taylor, Marsh, Gooch, etc, however Langer's consistancy finally swayed my vote to him....of course Boony was better than both as he could also drink a few beers....end of an era
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subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Slater was pretty consistent from what I remember, his career just tapered off around the millenium as Langer settled into the opener role.But you never voted though as Langer is leading 4:0
Anyway, I'm a huge Slater fan who as an opening batsmen changed the game by being extremely aggressive compared to Boycott, Taylor, Marsh, Gooch, etc, however Langer's consistancy finally swayed my vote to him....of course Boony was better than both as he could also drink a few beers....end of an era
PhoenixFire
International Coach
How come?
archie mac
International Coach
Slater, I thought he could play innings that very few players in the history of the game could. His hitting the first ball to the boundary against the Poms pretty much set the tone of one Ashes series, and his innings on SCG where he scored over 60% of his teams score on a tough wicket was an all-time great knock.
andyc
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
burr
State Vice-Captain
Yes that was his greatest innings by some way. I once used to be the most massive Slater fan, he basically got me into cricket in the 93 Ashes with his century at Lords. I do think he was a breath of fresh air as far as openers were concerned but I can't really think that of that many crucial innings he played (apart from the SCG one) and now I'm thinking he did seem to score a lot of runs against England and not much else (apart from the SL double ton).
archie mac
International Coach
Maybe someone could do a break down for us
dontcloseyoureyes
BARNES OUT
Langer for me. I never really liked Slater as a player (seems a top bloke, though) and Langer epitomises how a cricketer should be for mine. Small, tough, hard as nails, beautiful cover drive.
Will never forget when he made that 190-odd against Pakistan and he stood and delivered Akthar into the 2nd tier, was beautiful to watch.
Will never forget when he made that 190-odd against Pakistan and he stood and delivered Akthar into the 2nd tier, was beautiful to watch.
burr
State Vice-Captain
Quote:
Originally Posted by burr
Yes that was his greatest innings by some way. I once used to be the most massive Slater fan, he basically got me into cricket in the 93 Ashes with his century at Lords. I do think he was a breath of fresh air as far as openers were concerned but I can't really think that of that many crucial innings he played (apart from the SCG one) and now I'm thinking he did seem to score a lot of runs against England and not much else (apart from the SL double ton).
Against Average Tests Played Centuries
England 45.10 20 7
WI 37.57 13 1
India 27.50 10 0
NZ 48.20 6 2
Pakistan 49.78 12 3
SA 43.60 6 0
SL 61.37 6 1
You know even though they didn’t play the same position it’s actually quite interesting to compare Slater with Martyn as I just discovered their stats are quite similar.
DM played 67 tests (Slater 74), scored 13 centuries, 23 fifties (Slater 14/21), DM average 46.37, Slater 42.83.
Some interesting points of difference are DM played 31 away matches and scored 9 centuries and 9 fifties, average 47.29, Slater played 41 away matches and scored 5 centuries and 9 fifties, average 35.28.
DM
Against Average Tests Played Centuries
England 37.00 17 2
WI 41.50 5 0
India 49.85 8 2
NZ 48.53 12 1
Pakistan 61.57 6 2
SA 53.07 11 4
SL 53.60 5 2
(Didn’t incl. Bang and Zim as neither were partic significant in either’s career)
So Slats was much better against England and Marto again India and on the whole Marto spread out his centuries again different test teams more and preferred playing away. Anyway, carry on…
Originally Posted by burr
Yes that was his greatest innings by some way. I once used to be the most massive Slater fan, he basically got me into cricket in the 93 Ashes with his century at Lords. I do think he was a breath of fresh air as far as openers were concerned but I can't really think that of that many crucial innings he played (apart from the SCG one) and now I'm thinking he did seem to score a lot of runs against England and not much else (apart from the SL double ton).
Well, I did a bit of stats guru and his average against teams not incl. England was 41.87 (not that much different to overall average of 42.83) but interestingly he scored half of his centuries (7 out of 14) against England. He played England in 20 tests out of career of 74.Maybe someone could do a break down for us
Against Average Tests Played Centuries
England 45.10 20 7
WI 37.57 13 1
India 27.50 10 0
NZ 48.20 6 2
Pakistan 49.78 12 3
SA 43.60 6 0
SL 61.37 6 1
You know even though they didn’t play the same position it’s actually quite interesting to compare Slater with Martyn as I just discovered their stats are quite similar.
DM played 67 tests (Slater 74), scored 13 centuries, 23 fifties (Slater 14/21), DM average 46.37, Slater 42.83.
Some interesting points of difference are DM played 31 away matches and scored 9 centuries and 9 fifties, average 47.29, Slater played 41 away matches and scored 5 centuries and 9 fifties, average 35.28.
DM
Against Average Tests Played Centuries
England 37.00 17 2
WI 41.50 5 0
India 49.85 8 2
NZ 48.53 12 1
Pakistan 61.57 6 2
SA 53.07 11 4
SL 53.60 5 2
(Didn’t incl. Bang and Zim as neither were partic significant in either’s career)
So Slats was much better against England and Marto again India and on the whole Marto spread out his centuries again different test teams more and preferred playing away. Anyway, carry on…
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archie mac
International Coach
Interesting, it should also be remembered that Slater was out a lot in the 90s so he should have scored a lot more tons
aussie
Hall of Fame Member
Slater, he was more naturally talented than Langer and as rightfully mentioned before he made runs againts better bowling attacks during the 90s while Langer struggled during that period a bit, but worked hard on his weaknesses i.e againts off-spinners especially and became are real street-fighther. Was never pretty to watch (except for his cover driving) but was bloody effective, his performances in the 2005 Ashes opitimizes the kind of player JL was..