Viv Richards vs Brian Lara vs George Headley

[kyear2]

He forgot Barry and Sutcliffe

Barry is always no. 9, I just avoid the noise.

Sutcliffe is just outside of the top 20.

I would have Barrington in the next tier.

Yes, have to find a space for him and Root and probably Weekes in there.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Bradman
Best after Bradman category
Hobbs
Tendulkar
Richards
Sobers
Just a hair below but with question(s)
Smith
Lara
Hutton

Next tier

Hammond
Gavaskar
Chappell
Ponting

Kallis
Pollock
Border
Headley
Sangakkara
Dravid
Waugh

The top couple are self explanatory. Lara, Smith and Hutton are right there with those guys, but....

Smith, numbers wise haven't as yet separated himself from the pack below, but why he's clearly above them, is due to him not only playing through a flat era during his career but how he's managed to navigate it post.

Lara wasn't always turned on and that led to some inconsistency away from home. Everyone had slumps, Sachin as well, and Lara too had his injuries and challenges, and to boot, his fights with his board etc. Best batsman I've ever seen, but away numbers.

Hutton has one of the most complete records in one of the toughest eras to bat. He however lacked that extra gear, the ability to take over and dominate a session or match, even against lesser opposition. As the best batsman on his team, far less the world, that has to be part of your repertoire.


The 4 in the tier below are still elite, but overshadowed by others in their own era and never quite the best there. For a period there, Punter came closest.

Hammond and Gavaskar always been rated amongst the very best.. Unlike Ponting, Sanga.. Etc

 

[DrWolverine]

Except for Bradman, I don’t rank pre war batsman

My Top 15 in tiers
Sobers. Viv. Sachin. Smith.
Hutton. Gavaskar. Lara.
Barrington. Chappell. Ponting. Kallis. Sanga. Root.
Border. Waugh.

Maybe I missed a few names.
But this is roughly how I rate them.

 

[Johan]

Hutton is definitely tier 1

 

[DrWolverine]

Hutton is above Lara & Sunny.
But for some reason I am hesitant to have him in Tier 1 despite his flawless record.

 

[Johan]

I think I'd have the same tiers overall but would switch Hutton and Smith.