Second greatest Australian batsman

[C_C]

Chances are high that none of those oldies who played in such a casual atmosphere would be anywhere close to their career averages if they played in the modern era.
Intensity is the difference between backyard cricket and test cricket.

I dunno why anyone will rate Trumper ahead of Ranjitsinhji or FS Jackson.....but then again, given the anecdotal and unprofessional nature of those days, i am not surprised.

 

[a massive zebra]

Watch some film of Larwood bowling to Bradman or Hammond facing O'Reilly and then tell me its backyard cricket.

 

[Swervy]

Watch some film of Larwood bowling to Bradman or Hammond facing O'Reilly and then tell me its backyard cricket.

quite true...

maybe CC should read Bodyline Autopsy as well, maybe he would get a bit more understanding about how intense cricket was even back in the 30's

 

[C_C]

maybe CC should read Bodyline Autopsy as well, maybe he would get a bit more understanding about how intense cricket was even back in the 30's

bodyline was the one blip and it showed how much they were found wanting when played in a really intense 'no quarters given' scenario.
I believe that pre-50s/60s, only Bradman, Grimmett and Barnes had what it takes to hack it as a great in the latter eras....Bradman still would be the best but i cannot say that for the other two

 

[Richard]

who is 'we'?

Greg Chappell and anyone who's listened to his explanation of why he told Trevor to bowl that ball.

 

[Richard]

And why not exactly?

Because it was a quite understandible "cry for help".
Have you not heard his explanation of the thing?

 

[Richard]

Absolute tripe.

How d'you know?
Ever heard what esteem he was held in?

 

[Richard]

Dean Jones played just about the bravest test match knock I ever saw. It was hardly a flash-in-the-pan either. He had a sound defence & was a fine stroke player too.

Yes, but he wasn't anything more than a good player.
That Chennai 85\86 knock was really rather exceptional - but I do think plenty of people would be capable of doing similar stuff.
Fortunately most captains don't have the disregard to ask for them to be played.
That one knock doesn't really enhance his standing enormously.

 

[Richard]

bodyline was the one blip and it showed how much they were found wanting when played in a really intense 'no quarters given' scenario.

Of course, Ponsford in The Third Test and McCabe in The First were really found wanting, weren't they?
Not to mention that almost anyone would be found wanting long-term were such tactics consistently applied - which is why they're illegal.

 

[Richard]

Surely not?

Richard knows more about his batting than he himself does, because he once read a report written by someone who saw an hours highlights of one of his innings.

Nice medley there.
I'd actually find it funny if you didn't think it had any meaning.

 

[a massive zebra]

How d'you know?
Ever heard what esteem he was held in?

Just like Viv Richards and Brian Lara, the brilliance of Trumper could never be measured in runs - even Clem Hill had a higher average from the same era. It was the way he went about batting allied with immense natural ability that left everyone awe-struck.

 

[-dude-]

I had to go for Steve Waugh because he 'came up with the goods' time-and-time again when Australia were in precarious positions.

 

[marc71178]

Because it was a quite understandible "plea for action" (I think that was how he put it).
Have you not heard his explanation of the thing?

"Plea for action"

Right.

So why wasn't this "plea for action" made at any other time then?

 

[marc71178]

I'd actually find it funny if you didn't think it had any meaning.

So you've now moved on to knowing what I'm thinking have you?

 

[Richard]

"Plea for action"

Right.

So why wasn't this "plea for action" made at any other time then?

Perhaps this might help you understand a bit better.
I'm not saying he should be totally absolved of blame, but I do think he's been criticised more than he deserved to be.

 

[Richard]

Just like Viv Richards and Brian Lara, the brilliance of Trumper could never be measured in runs - even Clem Hill had a higher average from the same era. It was the way he went about batting allied with immense natural ability that left everyone awe-struck.

Yet his average for the period is still outstanding.

 

[Richard]

So you've now moved on to knowing what I'm thinking have you?

I think almost everyone would make the same guess at what that meant - and I don't think anyone would really be very likely to be wrong.
You were simply attempting to make derogatory comments on three or four things in one sentance.

 

[marc71178]

I'm not saying he should be totally absolved of blame, but I do think he's been criticised more than he deserved to be.

23 years later, hmmm.

 

[Richard]

He's criticised for it just about every time it's thought of - as Space's comment demonstrated.
Yet since I've heard his explanation of it I've found myself being far less scathing of it.

 

[Triple Crown]

Hard choice but I say Allan Border, as he had to carry that team on his own for so many years.

We forget how s**t that Australian team of the mid/late 80's was, after Chappell, Marsh & Lillee all retired at once, and then all the next best players went on the rebel Sth Africa tour & got banned.

If AB had the luxury of being in the current Oz team, with the backup of several quality top order batsmen, who knows how much better his record would be?