Gary Kirsten vs Justin Langer

[slippy888]

Who the better overall test match batsman for you.

 

[Shri]

They both exactly average 45.27 in test cricket.

I don't know who is better but I like Kirsten better.

 

[Bijed]

Yeah, their stats are very similar, SR and sixes being the only ones with significant gaps. I guess as openers the same average at a lower SR means that on average you would tend to see off the new ball better, which would put Kirsten in front. Also, there's the classic 'Langer didn't have to face McGrath & Warne'. So making my judgement on stats alone, I'd give Kirsten my vote but not by a huge margin. I can't really judge on any other basis as I only saw Langer in the '05 ashes (and in a random club game in a seaside town 45 minutes from where I live, that was a pleasant surprise) and never saw Kirsten bat and I'm not going to go trawling footage on youtube just for this.

 

[Red]

Langer was an interesting one cos they faffed around with him at #3 for ages wanting him to be the new Boon, and he looked grafty and ugly and unconvincing. When they dropped Slater and threw him in to open with Hayden, he suddenly relished the responsibility and averaged 50 as an opener from then on at a much better clip. Suddenly he looked great. I think Mark Nicholas said once that Langer might be the most improved cricketer on the planet.

That was a pretty important time for Steve Waugh's team. Langer went up the order and his partnership with Hayden started, which also let Ponting go from 6 to 3. And a pretty powerful top order was formed.

 

[Top_Cat]

Kirsten the more consistent, Langer the more brutal on his day. Giving it to Kirsten overall but geez it's close.

 

[CricketFan90s]

Kirsten also had a very good ODI Record

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Very very close. Both basically Mark Richardson with a far wider range of shots.

 

[CricketFan90s]

Can anyone justify if Graeme Smith > Gary Kirsten ?