Monk, don't you feel that rating on unfulfilled potential would be jumping the gun a bit?If I was given a choice between the two of them for a team, I'd choose Miller. Just.
Miller is more of an enigma. I get the sense that if he was a batsman only, his average would've been much higher. He once scored 280* in a FC match. And if he was a bowler only, and if he concentrated (and cared more) about his pace bowling, he'd be one of the top 5 quicks ever. There is an air of unfulfilled enigma about Miller, and I get the impression he could have gotten a lot more out of his ability. But, even as it stands, he was a great.
Botham, at his peak, was incredibly good. Belligerent. Seemed to have a bit of that charisma, bluster and magic that wins matches. Warne had that too. Botham probably played for too long, so his raw stats look unimpressive. But at his peak, he was quite possibly the most balanced all rounder ever, in terms of combining high level batting and bowling at the same time.
Yep. Indeed.Monk, don't you feel that rating on unfulfilled potential would be jumping the gun a bit?
Merely a reflection, or might it have to do with the fact he took wickets a lot quicker?If you look at Botham's bowling average pre-injury it would suggest that he was on a par with Keith Miller as a bowler. Botham took 79 more wickets but I assume that is merely a reflection of the fact that he bowled 2306 more balls, and didn't have Ray Lindwall and Bill Johnston to compete with.
And not one century against the West Indies or a Pakistan side that had Imran Khan in it. Which is why he shouldn't bat at No.6.in the 140 year long history of test cricket only one man has scored 14 centuries and claimed 27 five wicket hauls. no one else even came near 10 hundreds/10 five fers.
I know.... but still.... 14 centuries!!!!!! and 27 five-fers!!!!!!!!!! very big deal even if one does it all against bangladesh and zimbabwe. no one has done even that.And not one century against the West Indies or a Pakistan side that had Imran Khan in it. Which is why he shouldn't bat at No.6.
Isn't Watson's point though?Botham should bat at no. 7 in an all time XI.
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