Richards, Smith, Lara, Hammond

[capt_Luffy]

IVA likely but frankly even at the current average I am iffy on him. We don't get swayed by Sanga's average so why by Smith's?

There's no need to just be swayed by his average; look at how he scored those runs, and you will clearly see that he has done across more varied conditions against in general tougher pitches than someone like Sangakkara, Weekes, Barrington or Sutcliffe.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Sangakkara was more of a Williamson level player. Smith a bit above those guys with Lara and Viv.

 

[kyear2]

IVA likely but frankly even at the current average I am iffy on him. We don't get swayed by Sanga's average so why by Smith's?

Fair point. Not quite oranges for oranges though.

 

[kyear2]

There's no need to just be swayed by his average; look at how he scored those runs, and you will clearly see that he has done across more varied conditions against in general tougher pitches than someone like Sangakkara, Weekes, Barrington or Sutcliffe.

And better point.

 

[kyear2]

While I do believe Sachin is better than Viv, I believe that Smith is a straight up comp for Sachin while bringing more with his fielding.
Viv brings an entirely different dynamic than both and that may keep him in the line up. At least imho.

 

[Slifer]

While I do believe Sachin is better than Viv, I believe that Smith is a straight up comp for Sachin while bringing more with his fielding.
Viv brings an entirely different dynamic than both and that may keep him in the line up. At least imho.

Frankly, Sachin only has longevity over Smith afaic.

 

[kyear2]

Frankly, Sachin only has longevity over Smith afaic.

That's what he basically has over all of them. Longevity and a touch of better consistency, but again, that's over the longevity.

Do agree with @capt_Luffy that if Smith makes a decent go at it as an opener, he will make it there likely over Hutton.

 

[Slifer]

That's what he basically has over all of them. Longevity and a touch of better consistency, but again, that's over the longevity.

Do agree with @capt_Luffy that if Smith makes a decent go at it as an opener, he will make it there likely over Hutton.

Hell to the no. I like openers who've played at that position for the majority of their careers.

 

[subshakerz]

There's no need to just be swayed by his average; look at how he scored those runs, and you will clearly see that he has done across more varied conditions against in general tougher pitches than someone like Sangakkara, Weekes, Barrington or Sutcliffe.

Beg to differ.

Smith's away average is 54. Impressive but hardly unique, Sanga, Kallis, Tendulkar, Dravid average around the same

Smith averages well over 60 on mostly flat tracks at home like Sanga which helps lead to an inflated average. Note that Smith isn't the only one, Labu and Warner also average around there in Australia during this time.

What sets Smith apart from Sanga is a well rounded record. They both are home bashers though.

 

[Bolo.]

That's what he basically has over all of them. Longevity and a touch of better consistency, but again, that's over the longevity.

Do agree with @capt_Luffy that if Smith makes a decent go at it as an opener, he will make it there likely over Hutton.

Hutton is in my top 4 bats, so I'd rather get rid of a middle order bat.

But even if you rank Hutton a lot lower, it's a huge ask of Smith to do enough in a few years to displace him.

 

[subshakerz]

Frankly, Sachin only has longevity over Smith afaic.

No Sachin just faced more high quality bowling in general.

 

[kyear2]

Hutton is in my top 4 bats, so I'd rather get rid of a middle order bat.

But even if you rank Hutton a lot lower, it's a huge ask of Smith to do enough in a few years to displace him.

I have Hutton 8th, but if in real life I could choose one or the other? I'm chosing Smith, if he can prove he can handle it at the top.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Beg to differ.

Smith's away average is 54. Impressive but hardly unique, Sanga, Kallis, Tendulkar, Dravid average around the same

Smith averages well over 60 on mostly flat tracks at home like Sanga which helps lead to an inflated average. Note that Smith isn't the only one, Labu and Warner also average around there in Australia during this time.

What sets Smith apart from Sanga is a well rounded record. They both are home bashers though.

Can’t compare Smiths away average to Dravid, Kallis, Sanga. Those guys would average mid 40s away from home in this era like Kohli, Williamson, Root etc.

I agree Tendulkar is as good away from home tho.

 

[kyear2]

Can’t compare Smiths away average to Dravid, Kallis, Sanga. Those guys would average mid 40s away from home in this era like Kohli, Williamson, Root etc.

I agree Tendulkar it’s as good away from home tho.

Are we sure this is a bowlers era? Or just a crop of mostly T20 trained batsmen that can't build test innings?

I'm not convinced it's not the latter.

 

[Slifer]

No Sachin just faced more high quality bowling in general.

And what did he do vs so called high quality bowling? Nothing earth shattering afaic. Do we really need to go down that road again ?

 

[subshakerz]

Can’t compare Smiths away average to Dravid, Kallis, Sanga. Those guys would average mid 40s away from home in this era like Kohli, Williamson, Root etc.

I agree Tendulkar is as good away from home tho.

It was still pretty batting friendly in England, NZ, WI, SL, UAE, Pak for much of the 2010s.

 

[subshakerz]

And what did he do vs so called high quality bowling? Nothing earth shattering afaic. Do we really need to go down that road again ?

Neither has Smith in the few times he got to play such bowling. But Tendulkar at least faced more.

 

[PlayerComparisons]

It was still pretty batting friendly in England, NZ, WI, SL, UAE, Pak for much of the 2010s.

Can’t tell if you’re joking. England was brutal to bat in for last decade (@BazBall21 can confirm). Look at the bowling averages there. NZ, SL, WI have been pretty tough to tour at times as well post 2015. The WI bowlers have ATG stats at home.

 

[kyear2]

Neither has Smith in the few times he got to play such bowling. But Tendulkar at least faced more.

All of these batsmen have something that sets them apart.

Tendulkar - longevity
Lara - peaks
Richards - destruction
Smith - output

Lara was magical, Tendulkar was technical and a bit more consistent over his longevity.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Beg to differ.

Smith's away average is 54. Impressive but hardly unique, Sanga, Kallis, Tendulkar, Dravid average around the same

Smith averages well over 60 on mostly flat tracks at home like Sanga which helps lead to an inflated average. Note that Smith isn't the only one, Labu and Warner also average around there in Australia during this time.

What sets Smith apart from Sanga is a well rounded record. They both are home bashers though.

The difference between them away (not counting Tendulkar) and Smith is; most of them cashed in on flat pitches away to get those numbers, the pitches in Smith's time in Australia are no flatter than mid 2000s Indian or Australian pitches. But Smith has maintained a frankly ludicrous average even away from home by performing in not some so friendly and much much more challenging conditions.....