Swervy
International Captain
Well you see, its an understanding of the game that gives people the ability to look beyond the statistics. Its been said before, but the absolute elite players have that X-factor that you deny the existance of. What makes a player great is how they are perceived, by the people who watch the game, or who played against them. Your perception of Richards is mainly based on how you interpret the stats. Those who saw him play have the the honour of seeing him play there and then, and therefore have just that bit more depth of knowledge of his impactWhy they think that way I don't know (there were only a tiny number of dissenters back before Tendulkar declined mind), but to me it's just not understanding of the game to think that way. It's basically saying that what a batsman looked like is more important than what he actually did.
You must understand that the value of a player in terms of greatness totally depends on the values of the people that player has an effect on (ie spectators and players)
I meant its harsher on Richards, because as soon as someone starts talking about his 189* at Old Trafford, someone can then show footage of some silly shot he played to get out for 5 just to burst the bubble. SF Barnes has the advantage reputation-wise of basically only having the positive things being written about him, but if someone had footage of him bowling a pile of tripe (which no doubt he did at some point) maybe all the Barnes worship wouldnt be so massive.Which is hardly fair, TBH. And hence, I speak out against it.