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Wally Hammond vs Rahul Dravid

Who is the better test batsman?


  • Total voters
    26

peterhrt

U19 Vice-Captain
In first-class matches when there was a genuinely fast bowler in the opposition, Hammond scored 8473 runs at an average of 54.31 with 32 centuries.

He took double hundreds off Gregory, McDonald, Martindale and four others. In a Lord's Ashes Test he made 240 against Ernie McCormick who was no slouch. He also scored 317 against Voce.

Ted McDonald used to crank up his pace whenever Hobbs, Hammond or Woolley arrived at the crease. On one occasion he over-celebrated after dismissing Hammond for 99 in the first innings of a county match. In the second innings, Hammond thrashed the Australian all over Old Trafford, making 187 in three hours and hooking his frequent bouncers to the boundary. Prior to the 1928-29 series in Australia, Hammond gave up the hook shot to concentrate on big scores.

Among fast bowlers Constantine dismissed him most often (11 times), but Hammond made plenty of runs against the West Indians who often fielded three quicks against him. In addition to Martindale, he passed 200 against both George Francis and Herman Griffith. He got five hundreds against Larwood, three of which were when Bodyline partner Voce was also playing.

Hammond was a front foot player, excelling in driving through the off side. After giving up the hook shot he got into occasional difficulties walking into the short ball. But it wasn't a serious weakness. If he had an Achilles heel, it was Grimmett and O'Reilly bowling at his legs to frustrate his strokeplay. It worked in England, but not in Australia where his average of 75 in pre-war Ashes Tests was higher than Bradman's.

After Hammond died in 1965 Wisden said he was one of the four greatest batsmen, along with Grace, Hobbs and Bradman.
 
Last edited:

kyear2

International Coach
In first-class matches when there was a genuinely fast bowler in the opposition, Hammond scored 8473 runs at an average of 54.31 with 32 centuries.

He took double hundreds off Gregory, McDonald, Martindale and four others. In a Lord's Ashes Test he made 240 against Ernie McCormick who was no slouch. He also scored 317 against Voce.

Ted McDonald used to crank up his pace whenever Hobbs, Hammond or Woolley arrived at the crease. On one occasion he over-celebrated after dismissing Hammond for 99 in the first innings of a county match. In the second innings, Hammond thrashed the Australian all over Old Trafford, making 187 in three hours and hooking his frequent bouncers to the boundary. Prior to the 1928-29 series in Australia, Hammond gave up the hook shot to concentrate on big scores.

Among fast bowlers Constantine dismissed him most often (11 times), but Hammond made plenty of runs against the West Indians who often fielded three quicks against him. In addition to Martindale, he passed 200 against both George Francis and Herman Griffith. He got five hundreds against Larwood, three of which were when Bodyline partner Voce was also playing.

Hammond was a front foot player, excelling in driving through the off side. After giving up the hook shot he got into occasional difficulties walking into the short ball. But it wasn't a serious weakness. If he had an Achilles heel, it was Grimmett and O'Reilly bowling at his legs to frustrate his strokeplay. It worked in England, but not in Australia where his average of 75 in pre-war Ashes Tests was higher than Bradman's.

After Hammond died in 1965 Wisden said he was one of the four greatest batsmen, along with Grace, Hobbs and Bradman.
Excellent as usual.
 

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