Dennis Compton vs KF Barrington

[The King]

Who would you rate as the better batsman. The more reliable KF Barrington or the more entertaining Dennis Compton?

 

[aussie]

Who would you rate as the better batsman. The more reliable KF Barrington or the more entertaining Dennis Compton?

my pos says Compton

 

[archie mac]

I would give the nod to Compton

 

[Jamee999]

Tait.

 

[SJS]

Compton anyday. I have seen Barrington in India and not Compton but from all accounts by those who saw bboth (their areers were fairly close to each other), there was no comparison. Barington was an accumulator but in a time when the game was really going down with draw after dreary tall scoring draw was the staple diet for the por spectator.
Compton was a prince in an era of more entreprising cricket and faced much more hostile bowling attacks.

In any event Barrington was very "un-pretty to watch. I can vouch for that.

 

[Zinzan]

Compton

 

[luckyeddie]

Depends.

If I wanted one or the other to bat for my life, it'd be Barrington. If it was for pleasure, then Compton.

 

[Ymaxxx]

So compton's career stretched for 20 years (15 w/o ww2) and Barrington's 13 years.
If we eliminate Compton's last years of decline to match KF's record. He too after 13 years averaged 60 like KF. Its just Barrington has an insane away average of 70, which Compton can't compete with at all.

As for opponents, Barrington's weakness were the windies. BUT to make up for it, he absolutely annihilated Australia with a 64 average.

My consensus says they both are equals, but i still would like to know who was the better player. Anyone with good details?

 

[mr_mister]

May was better than both

 

[Ymaxxx]

May was better than both

Highly disagree, Peter May was a home track bully. Anyways stick to the thread's question and not direct the conversation somewhere else please.

 

[Nintendo]

Another thread where the answer is Ravindra Jadeja.

 

[Gob]

Depends.

If I wanted one or the other to bat for my life, it'd be Barrington. If it was for pleasure, then Compton.

Interesting choice of words. **** I replied to a comment from 16 years ago

 

[honestbharani]

Compton bowled left arm wrist spin, right? Makes him better in my eyes.

 

[h_hurricane]

Highly disagree, Peter May was a home track bully. Anyways stick to the thread's question and not direct the conversation somewhere else please.

There is a reason Mr_Mister said May. Probably gives a clue that he rates Barrington higher than Compton. So would I btw.

 

[Line and Length]

Both were splendid Test performers (and both better than May IMO).

Barrington averaged over 60 against 4 of the 6 Test nations he played against while Compton only achieved this against Pakistan.

	Denis Compton	Ken Barrington
Australia	42.84	63.97
India	51.25	75.28
New Zealand	46.36	99.00
Pakistan	90.60	79.44
South Africa	53.78	49.45
West Indies	49.33	34.73

With regard to hb's comments about Compton's bowling, both were handy at times but Barrington's leggies earned him 29 wickets @ 44.8 compared with Compton's left arm wrist spinner's 25 wickets @ 56.4

I think it was Alan Davidson who described Ken Barrington as being like a bulldog with the Union Jack draped across his shoulders when he batted. He said talk only made him more determined.

For mine, Barrington was the more valuable player.

 

[honestbharani]

Appreciate your inputs, LL. I was being TIC there with my comment but then again, I love to have sides full of allrounders and every variety of bowling possible so its very possible I would pick Compton over Barrington for this reason in my side.

 

[Ymaxxx]

Both were splendid Test performers (and both better than May IMO).

Barrington averaged over 60 against 4 of the 6 Test nations he played against while Compton only achieved this against Pakistan.

	Denis Compton	Ken Barrington
Australia	42.84	63.97
India	51.25	75.28
New Zealand	46.36	99.00
Pakistan	90.60	79.44
South Africa	53.78	49.45
West Indies	49.33	34.73

With regard to hb's comments about Compton's bowling, both were handy at times but Barrington's leggies earned him 29 wickets @ 44.8 compared with Compton's left arm wrist spinner's 25 wickets @ 56.4

I think it was Alan Davidson who described Ken Barrington as being like a bulldog with the Union Jack draped across his shoulders when he batted. He said talk only made him more determined.

For mine, Barrington was the more valuable player.

These stats are worthless to look at since DC played for 7 years more. (So was hit by a decline) unlike KB who played 13 years.
If you were to pull stats levelled to the years played (both prime) Then DC indeed has very similar records to KB (for example DC average against australia becomes 54)

KB has a greater Away Record but DC has the brag against Windies which KB doesnt have. Argumement comes down to preference otherwise theyre level. The reason my pick is DC is because he lost his prime years into ww2

 

[Engle]

If you're picking a hypothetical team, an XI to play an imaginary Test - then Barrington gets in ahead of Compton
If you're picking a Top 10 or Top 20 or Top xx for batsmanship - then Compton edges Barrington

 

[mr_mister]

If you're picking a hypothetical team, an XI to play an imaginary Test - then Barrington gets in ahead of Compton
If you're picking a Top 10 or Top 20 or Top xx for batsmanship - then Compton edges Barrington

Due to their batting positions?

 

[Coronis]

These stats are worthless to look at since DC played for 7 years more. (So was hit by a decline) unlike KB who played 13 years.
If you were to pull stats levelled to the years played (both prime) Then DC indeed has very similar records to KB (for example DC average against australia becomes 54)

KB has a greater Away Record but DC has the brag against Windies which KB doesnt have. Argumement comes down to preference otherwise theyre level. The reason my pick is DC is because he lost his prime years into ww2

Yeah can’t he believe retired after that heart attack to protect his average. Selfish bugger.
Also didn’t know stats were worthless unless we were looking at equal career lengths.