Best bottom four batsmen?

FaaipDeOiad · 01-01-2008, 09:35 PM

Given the remarkable strength of the Australian lower order at the moment, I thought this was an interesting topic.

A lot of teams have good batsmen at 8 and 9, but in test cricket the bottom two tend to be a big drop off from that. I remember some lower orders in ODIs where almost everyone could be classed as an all-rounder, from New Zealand and South Africa in particular, but I can't recall a bottom 4 in test cricket better than this one.

Hogg at 8 averages 35 in FC cricket with a few centuries, and wouldn't be far off bowling all-rounder status. Lee at 9 averages over 20 in tests over an extended period and has been batting better in the last few years as well. Johnson's only had a short FC career but averages 26 with a few half-centuries, and has shown some skill with the bat at international level as well, and while Clark's FC record isn't anything special he looks a significant cut above your usual number 11 - more like a 9 or 10 in most sides.

Any better ones out there? Either in terms of skill or statistical record? Australia's tail a few years ago with Warne, Lee and Gillespie wasn't bad by comparison either, but I think Hogg and Clark are big improvements in their respective positions.

Laurrz · 01-01-2008, 09:39 PM

Australias the strongest definately

#2 is a tight one... Saffer is ok.. (Polly needs to play tho) India are ok (the two spinners can bat)

Perm · 01-01-2008, 09:42 PM

Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

Vettori and Franklin both have Test centuries (Vettori too), while Frankling also has a FC double. Mills and Bond with FC centuries too.

archie mac · 01-01-2008, 09:45 PM

I don't know if it counts, but in the old days when they had sticky wickets, they sometimes reversed the order

NZTailender · 01-01-2008, 09:48 PM

NZ's bottom four in tests is ruined by Martin. If we were to have all players fit and a sane selection committee we could see a bottom four of Franklin, Vettori, Mills and Bond.

chaminda_00 · 01-01-2008, 09:48 PM

Paul Strang
Streak
Brandes
Bryan Strang

NZTailender · 01-01-2008, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perm

Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

Unfortunately we've never had this bowling attack in a test. A man can dream though.

Flem274* · 01-01-2008, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perm

Vettori
Franklin
Mills
Bond

Vettori and Franklin both have Test centuries (Vettori too), while Frankling also has a FC double. Mills and Bond with FC centuries too.

AWTA. What I was going to say. Aussie and SA have pretty good ones but ours is superior IMO.

Prince EWS · 01-01-2008, 09:56 PM

Streak
Ervine
Blignaut
Price

That was truly gun.

chaminda_00 · 01-01-2008, 10:02 PM

BM McMillan
SM Pollock
L Klusener
PL Symcox

Here the match

FaaipDeOiad · 01-01-2008, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaminda_00

BM McMillan
SM Pollock
L Klusener
PL Symcox

Here the match

Wow, that looks like a winner to me. Kluesener at 10?

chaminda_00 · 01-01-2008, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

Wow, that looks like a winner to me. Kluesener at 10?

Dave Richardson went in at night-watchman, but even with him at 8-10 that still pretty hard to beat.

anoop4real · 01-01-2008, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laurrz

Australias the strongest definately

#2 is a tight one... Saffer is ok.. (Polly needs to play tho) India are ok (the two spinners can bat)

I agree to that

Craig · 01-01-2008, 11:11 PM

How good of a batsman was Dave Richardson? Richardson was sort of before my time as Boucher came in and shot to fame as Richardson came out. That and we didn't have cable TV either.

Evermind · 01-01-2008, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaminda_00

BM McMillan
SM Pollock
L Klusener
PL Symcox

Here the match

That takes the cake for me. Could be another country's middle order! Symcox has a test average of 28.50, and we all know what Klusener can do.

01-01-2008, 09:35 PM	#1 (permalink)
FaaipDeOiad Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Australia Posts: 18,682	Best bottom four batsmen? Given the remarkable strength of the Australian lower order at the moment, I thought this was an interesting topic. A lot of teams have good batsmen at 8 and 9, but in test cricket the bottom two tend to be a big drop off from that. I remember some lower orders in ODIs where almost everyone could be classed as an all-rounder, from New Zealand and South Africa in particular, but I can't recall a bottom 4 in test cricket better than this one. Hogg at 8 averages 35 in FC cricket with a few centuries, and wouldn't be far off bowling all-rounder status. Lee at 9 averages over 20 in tests over an extended period and has been batting better in the last few years as well. Johnson's only had a short FC career but averages 26 with a few half-centuries, and has shown some skill with the bat at international level as well, and while Clark's FC record isn't anything special he looks a significant cut above your usual number 11 - more like a 9 or 10 in most sides. Any better ones out there? Either in terms of skill or statistical record? Australia's tail a few years ago with Warne, Lee and Gillespie wasn't bad by comparison either, but I think Hogg and Clark are big improvements in their respective positions. __________________ I know a place where a royal flush Can never beat a pair

01-01-2008, 09:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
archie mac Cricket Web Staff Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: canberra Australia Posts: 10,668	I don't know if it counts, but in the old days when they had sticky wickets, they sometimes reversed the order __________________ You know it makes sense.

01-01-2008, 09:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
NZTailender Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand Posts: 19,046	NZ's bottom four in tests is ruined by Martin. If we were to have all players fit and a sane selection committee we could see a bottom four of Franklin, Vettori, Mills and Bond. __________________ President of SKAS - Kat is King \| Proud member of CVAAS - One of the best \| LRPLTAS - Rosco rocks! The NZTailender Supporting XI: L Vincent, H Rutherford, N Broom, Craig Cachopa, D Brownlie, BJ Watling, D de Boorder+, I Sodhi, B Wheeler, H Bennett, A Milne Go Tigers! R.I.P. Fardin & Craig

01-01-2008, 09:48 PM	#6 (permalink)
chaminda_00 Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Murali CG Posts: 16,305	Paul Strang Streak Brandes Bryan Strang __________________ The man, the mountain, the Mathews. The greatest all rounder since Keith Miller. (Y) Jaffna Jets CC (Battrick & FTP) RIP WCC and CW Cricket Member of the MSC, JMAS and CVAAS Last edited by chaminda_00; 01-01-2008 at 09:54 PM.

01-01-2008, 09:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
Prince EWS Global Moderator Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New South Wales Posts: 37,760	Streak Ervine Blignaut Price That was truly gun. __________________ ~ Cribbage

01-01-2008, 09:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
Laurrz International Debutant Join Date: May 2006 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,684	Australias the strongest definately #2 is a tight one... Saffer is ok.. (Polly needs to play tho) India are ok (the two spinners can bat)

01-01-2008, 10:02 PM	#10 (permalink)
chaminda_00 Hall of Fame Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Murali CG Posts: 16,305	BM McMillan SM Pollock L Klusener PL Symcox Here the match

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