subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Obviously can make a good case for Hutton, Gavaskar, Hadlee, Murali, Smith, Miller and others too.
-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
What would be a peer rating ranking?
- Thread starter subshakerz
- Start date
Patience and Accuracy+Gut
State Vice-Captain
Sydney Barnes
Everyone who played with or against him were convinced, “He was the Greatest Bowler there had ever been and the Greatest there ever will be”
Line and Length
Cricketer Of The Year
In indication of peer ratings/rankings can be seen in players' listings of their best teams/squads in their books.
I have selected 3 (Botham, Lamb and Marsh) who are of a similar era.
It is more than apparent who the players are who all 3 hold in high regard. It's not unexpected to see players like Viv Richards and Lillee held in such high regard. What might be surprising is to see Greenidge held so highly (ahead of Gavaskar in 2 squads) along with Abdul Qadir who is a unanimous choice as spinner. It's pleasing to see Miandad listed by all three. Two of the three have Hadlee in ahead of Imran while the selection of WI's quicks is quite diverse (4 different nominations)
I have selected 3 (Botham, Lamb and Marsh) who are of a similar era.
It is more than apparent who the players are who all 3 hold in high regard. It's not unexpected to see players like Viv Richards and Lillee held in such high regard. What might be surprising is to see Greenidge held so highly (ahead of Gavaskar in 2 squads) along with Abdul Qadir who is a unanimous choice as spinner. It's pleasing to see Miandad listed by all three. Two of the three have Hadlee in ahead of Imran while the selection of WI's quicks is quite diverse (4 different nominations)
| Botham's England Squad | Botham's ROW Squad | R.Marsh's XI | A.Lamb's Squad |
| G.Boycott | S.Gavaskar | B.Richards | G.Greenidge |
| G.Gooch | G.Greenidge | G.Greenidge | G.Gooch |
| M.Brearley © | V.Richards | I.Chappell © | G.Chappell |
| D.Gower | G.Chappell | V.Richards | V.Richards |
| A.Lamb | J.Miandad | J.Miandad | J.Miandad |
| R.Smith | A.Border | G.Sobers | A.Border |
| I.Botham | C.Lloyd © | I.Khan | I.Botham |
| A.Knott | R.Marsh | A.Knott | R.Hadlee |
| J.Emburey | R.Hadlee | D.Lillee | M.Marshall |
| D.Underwood | C.Ambrose | A.Roberts | B.Taylor |
| A.Fraser | J.Garner | A.Qadir | D.Lillee |
| G.Dilley | D.Lillee | A.Qadir | |
| B.Willis | A.Qadir | Wasim Akram |
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
Botham not picking Imran isn't a surprise. I think it is noteworthy to point out Marshall wasn't some confirmed best of the best by his peers either.
That was the case in England from 1912, and in Australia for a time from around 1908.
During most of his actual playing career Barnes was largely ignored by the English authorities and selectors because he had opted out of first-class cricket. In 1908 Wisden claimed Ernie Vogler was the world's leading bowler. Herbie Taylor also considered Vogler superior but most of his South African teammates, including Faulkner, favoured Barnes.
It was remarkable how long Barnes' reputation held up after retirement.
kyear2
International Coach
As I said earlier, agree with the names, if not the orders, and crazy how both of u came up with the exact same 10 players.
capt_Luffy
Cricketer Of The Year
It's not in any particular order
kyear2
International Coach
Understood.
kyear2
International Coach
Yeah having Sir Gordon there is a big takeaway, but I'm not going to start that debate again.
Brook's side
International Regular
Interesting.
Rod Marsh randomly selects a player from the 1960s over Botham though.
The teams are a good illustration of how few cricketers' reputations during the past fifty years are set in stone, compared with before, and the subjective nature of judging them.
Botham and Lamb were involved in a court case against Imran. They also played a lot of county cricket which reflects in their selections. Garner was Botham's teammate at Somerset. Hadlee was the supreme county cricketer of the time.
Marsh had a fallout with Greg Chappell over the underarm incident and was always closer to his elder brother. He was also behind the wicket when Barry Richards scored 325* in a single day against Lillee and Western Australia. (Only Ponsford has scored more in a day in Australia). Marsh played Packer cricket where, according to Greig and others, Andy Roberts was widely considered to be the best bowler.
English batsmen couldn't read Qadir and always rated him.
Last edited:
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
There really weren't many top shelf spinners to compare with in that era.
capt_Luffy
Cricketer Of The Year
Going to say Underwood, Bedi and Chandra but they really were quite a bit senior.
OverratedSanity
Request Your Custom Title Now!
I think a lot of people just loved watching him bowl. Objectively, he just wasn't effective enough to be rated that highly though.
subshakerz
Hall of Fame Member
He was a character and was fun to watch bowl.
Coronis
International Coach
So Warne minus the greatness.
I won’t deny it though, leg spin is the most beautiful bowling to behold.