Smith v Ponting

[GuyFromLancs]

Steve Smith has obviously been out of the world these past few years, but I feel the “second only to Bradman” compliment has been a bit quick out of the blocks.

Between his debut and the end of 2006, here are Ponting’s figures:

109 Tests
Centuries - 33
Average = 59.38

And for good measure …
Strike Rate … 58.93


Steve Smith as of today:

Tests 61
Centuries – 23
Average – 63.75
Strike Rate 55.76

Not too dissimilar. Smith average about 4 higher which isn’t insignificant, a better but not totally dissimilar centuries per test conversion rate, and a marginally lower strike rate.

I would argue however that Ponting played in a tougher era, and was a more stylish batsman.

And besides, at the peak of his powers, Ponting was widely acknowledged to have climbed onto the Lara/Tendulkar level of batsman … but I don’t recall anyone comparing him to Bradman or calling him second best only to Bradman??

If Smith can maintain his figures for another 40 tests, then I think the conversation about him being next up after the Don can begin.

 

[OverratedSanity]

Ponting's era wasn't tougher imo. The early-mid 2000s were an extremely mediocre era of fast bowling. SA, England, India, NZ all have far superior bowling attacks today.

 

[vic_orthdox]

Yeah, England in 2005 might have been better but Ponting played in a number of other series where England's attack was decent but nothing to write home about.

Although Australia pitches have been very flat recently, they often were back then too - we just had a great bowling attack and scored really quickly, so draws and complaints about boring cricket never really came into being.

I think the fact that Smith is one of only two world class batsmen, rather than one of four or more, also plays into his hands when being rated.

 

[Gob]

Ponting faced some great bowlers before his peak period and did pretty well batting down at six but the bowlers he faced in his peak 05 aside are probably worse than the ones Smith is facing now or faced over the last 4 years

 

[Kirkut]

The only tough part about early-mid 2000s could be the bats, they were much smaller and hitting sixes were difficult. But Smith is never really into hitting sixes, so that neutralizes the bat argument.

 

[GuyFromLancs]

If they were much smaller then hitting anything is harder

 

[fredfertang]

I would express the view that Allan Border was better than either of them, but I just can't quite do it

 

[Burgey]

I’ll do it for you.

 

[fredfertang]

Thought someone would, wasn't expecting it to be you though

 

[Gob]

These comparisons are still premature. As good as Smith has been its only four years when guys like Ponting and Border maintained it for more than a decade. In fact the mare fact that people does bring up his name along side some of the greatest ever is a testimony to how good he has been for the last four years but i'd want him to do what he has been doing for four more years at least before start comparing him to ATG players.

 

[Jarquis]

Who does Vic think is the only other world class bat?

If Smith converts at the same rate then he’d have 41 centuries after 109 Tests, so feel as though ‘better but not totally dissimilar’ is underplaying it somewhat. Otherwise we could say it’d still be similar if he didn’t score another ton in his next 30 or so Tests

 

[TheJediBrah]

Smith has been statistically better than Ponting to a greater degree than the stats you posted indicate I think. It doesn't take into account his first coming into the team as a bowler/ordinary batsman. IIRC he's averaged something like 75 since he was recalled as a specialist batsman around 2013.

 

[Gob]

Who does Vic think is the only other world class bat?

If Smith converts at the same rate then he’d have 41 centuries after 109 Tests, so feel as though ‘better but not totally dissimilar’ is underplaying it somewhat. Otherwise we could say it’d still be similar if he didn’t score another ton in his next 30 or so Tests

Warner obvs

 

[Cabinet96]

There's obviously a ton of projecting going on with the 2nd to Bradman stuff. Though it's worth noting his level of dominance over this many tests is basically at that level.

This article looks at the best 33 tests period of a player's career and the 2nd best average is 72.56 by Viv The best stats measure | The Cricket Monthly | ESPN Cricinfo

Just through guessing some dates a few weeks ago I found a 33 game spell where Smith averaged 76.26 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

And that arbitrary measure actually limits him a bit. In his last 39 tests he averages 79.33 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

Basically, even if he never scores another run we can still look back at him as having one of the greatest periods of dominance in test history, which is worth something.

 

[DriveClub]

Can someone post the median instead of the mean? Think that will give a better understanding of their stats

 

[Gob]

There's obviously a ton of projecting going on with the 2nd to Bradman stuff. Though it's worth noting his level of dominance over this many tests is basically at that level.

This article looks at the best 33 tests period of a player's career and the 2nd best average is 72.56 by Viv The best stats measure | The Cricket Monthly | ESPN Cricinfo

Just through guessing some dates a few weeks ago I found a 33 game spell where Smith averaged 76.26 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

And that arbitrary measure actually limits him a bit. In his last 39 tests he averages 79.33 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

Basically, even if he never scores another run we can still look back at him as having one of the greatest periods of dominance in test history, which is worth something.

Off topic but da faq did you say to get blocked by Vaughan?

 

[micz]

There's obviously a ton of projecting going on with the 2nd to Bradman stuff. Though it's worth noting his level of dominance over this many tests is basically at that level.

This article looks at the best 33 tests period of a player's career and the 2nd best average is 72.56 by Viv The best stats measure | The Cricket Monthly | ESPN Cricinfo

Just through guessing some dates a few weeks ago I found a 33 game spell where Smith averaged 76.26 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

And that arbitrary measure actually limits him a bit. In his last 39 tests he averages 79.33 Batting records | Test matches | Cricinfo Statsguru | ESPNcricinfo

Basically, even if he never scores another run we can still look back at him as having one of the greatest periods of dominance in test history, which is worth something.

Murali's 250 wickets in 33 matches tho

 

[Wizard]

Ponting hit his peak when some of the greatest fast bowlers were almost done. Ambrose, Akram, Waqar, Donald, etc. I remember he was awful in India. Smith is ahead in that regard although the sample size is smaller. He hasn't failed badly anywhere.

 

[Pratters]

Too early to say who was better. Ponting dominated for a fairly long time. If Smith carries on the way he has for a while, which I think he will, he will be one of the absolute best, like Hobbs, Bradman, Sobers, Richards.. some thing which Ponting isn't.

 

[mr_mister]

Ponting hit his peak when some of the greatest fast bowlers were almost done. Ambrose, Akram, Waqar, Donald, etc. I remember he was awful in India. Smith is ahead in that regard although the sample size is smaller. He hasn't failed badly anywhere.

Bangladesh