Murali/Sanga vs Ambrose/Lara

[Migara]

Flower is elite, but Sanga and Gilly are clearly above him in this respect.

The disrespect to Andy Flower in this sub is too much.

i

 

[Coronis]

It seems like the length of the bat used to very small during that era.

That specific photo is an awful way to determine anything about the bat imo. I believe generally handles were a bit shorter at that time though.

For reference, Walcott was apparently 6’2, so around Haydos. Tall for a batsman.

 

[Migara]

Walcott vs Sanga would be fun too. Very similar career with 1:2 split, same averages as keeper bat and pure bat.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Sanga is not better than Lara.
But I would not use the words “leagues ahead”

Agreed.

I think the difference between Smith/Lara and Kallis/Sangakkara/Ponting is not as big as some people think it is.

 

[DrWolverine]

Flower is elite, but Sanga and Gilly are clearly above him in this respect.

As a batsman : Sanga > Flower
As a WK : Gilly > Flower
As a WK batsman : Flower > Gilly > Sanga

 

[Coronis]

As a batsman : Sanga > Flower
As a WK : Gilly > Flower
As a WK batsman : Flower > Gilly > Sanga

wut

 

[Johan]

Gilly is the best, best keeper, best bat while keeping alongside Flower.

 

[Coronis]

Gilly is the best, best keeper, best bat while keeping alongside Flower.

I’ve always regarded Gilly and Sanga as roughly equal keepers personally

 

[Johan]

I’ve always regarded Gilly and Sanga as roughly equal keepers personally

think Gilly is a little more proven to great pacers but not much inbetween

 

[DrWolverine]

Gilly is the best bat while keeping alongside Flower.

I would rate Andy Flower higher.

- Kept for longer hours
- Batted at a higher position
- Faced more pressure
- Didn’t have the batting support
- Had a much higher peak

 

[Johan]

I would rate Andy Flower higher.

- Kept for longer hours
- Batted at a higher position
- Faced more pressure
- Didn’t have the batting support
- Had a much higher peak

He wasn't seen as a good keeper and he kept to poor sides, Gilchrist managed to keep perfectly to Shane Warne and Stuart Macgill, two very big turners of the ball. Simply put, Flower doesn't have the reputation with the gloves needed to beat Gilchrist, plus Gilchrist wasn't that behind in batting, he was a better player of fast bowling than Flower while a lot inferior against spin.

 

[Coronis]

think Gilly is a little more proven to great pacers but not much inbetween

I mean, you can hardly prove yourself to great pacers if there aren’t any on your team. (no disrespect to Chaminda) I’m sure keeping to Malinga in shorter formats was no easy feat either. How’d he go there?

 

[Migara]

As a batsman : Sanga > Flower
As a WK : Gilly > Flower
As a WK batsman : Flower > Gilly > Sanga

Sanga is almost half a dozen clear in average to other two. Heis as good as Gilly with gloves too. So Flower is most likely third or fourth if Walcott also considered.

 

[Migara]

think Gilly is a little more proven to great pacers but not much inbetween

Mate Sanaga kept to Malinga and Fernando. Keeping to things that click 145 and erratic at the same time is way difficult keeping to McGrath, Steyn or Ambrose.

 

[Johan]

Mate Sanaga kept to Malinga and Fernando. Keeping to things that click 145 and erratic at the same time is way difficult keeping to McGrath, Steyn or Ambrose.

Lee is the quickest

 

[DrWolverine]

He wasn't seen as a good keeper and he kept to poor sides, Gilchrist managed to keep perfectly to Shane Warne and Stuart Macgill, two very big turners of the ball. Simply put, Flower doesn't have the reputation with the gloves needed to beat Gilchrist, plus Gilchrist wasn't that behind in batting, he was a better player of fast bowling than Flower while a lot inferior against spin.

I have not mentioned anywhere about his keeping.

Just said Andy was a better batsman while keeping.

 

[Johan]

I have not mentioned anywhere about his keeping.

Just said Andy was a better batsman while keeping.

Yeah but it's Wicketkeeper-batsmen so the prior is quite important.

 

[DrWolverine]

Sanga is almost half a dozen clear in average to other two.

What are you saying man?

Batting averages

Andy : 55 Tests. Avg of 53.7
Gilly : 96 Tests. Avg of 47.6
Sanga : 48 Tests. Avg of 40.4

 

[sayon basak]

The disrespect to Andy Flower in this sub is too much.

Flower is an elite batter,sure. But don't think anybody can push hard enough to put him in the top 2 Keeper-batsman's shortlist.

EDIT:

As a batsman : Sanga > Flower
As a WK : Gilly > Flower
As a WK batsman : Flower > Gilly > Sanga

Oh nevermind.

 

[Johan]

Walcott has a good shout, I don't think his keeping being gone necessarily improved his batting but he naturally reached a level he would've reached anyway, better with the bat than Flower and an excellent keeper.