The Greater Cricketer: Viv Richards vs Shane Warne

[subshakerz]

Continuing the batter-bowler comparisons.

Also, who wins in a test match battle between them?

 

[Adorable Asshole]

Just test? Warne for me

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

It only takes one ball to get IVA out

 

[kyear2]

May seem contradictory, but while definitely ATG top tier players, their reputation exceeds reality for different reasons?

Warne isn't a top 4 player or all time and Viv seems to have avoided the drop in perception that other hight peak players haven't.
That being said, both make my at XI because Viv changed how cricket was played and in a way how batting was perceived and was close to unparalleled in his ability to swing the course of a match. He faced some of the greatest bowlers ever and never cowed to any of them.
Warne didn't reinvent spin bowling, but he sure as hell excelled at it unlike only one other. He as part as MCWarne took Australia back to dominance and his ability to win games on the last day, along with Murali brought prominence back to spin bowling.

Both had their issues, IVA's decline and Warnie's massive hole vs India and struggles vs Lara being prominent amongst them, but both were Wisden top 5 players and in their own way changed the game.

I genuinely have no idea who was greater, but Warne was more unique.

 

[subshakerz]

May seem contradictory, but while definitely ATG top tier players, their reputation exceeds reality for different reasons?

Warne isn't a top 4 player or all time and Viv seems to have avoided the drop in perception that other hight peak players haven't.
That being said, both make my at XI because Viv changed how cricket was played and in a way how batting was perceived and was close to unparalleled in his ability to swing the course of a match. He faced some of the greatest bowlers ever and never cowed to any of them.
Warne didn't reinvent spin bowling, but he sure as hell excelled at it unlike only one other. He as part as MCWarne took Australia back to dominance and his ability to win games on the last day, along with Murali brought prominence back to spin bowling.

Both had their issues, IVA's decline and Warnie's massive hole vs India and struggles vs Lara being prominent amongst them, but both were Wisden top 5 players and in their own way changed the game.

I genuinely have no idea who was greater, but Warne was more unique.

In terms of reputation, Warne probably just pips over Viv.

I do think as a cricketer Viv touched levels of batting greatness no other has, and ended up with a very well rounded record. I give him the edge.

 

[Coronis]

Ah, the two players who unjustly took up spots on Wisden’s 5.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Viv Top 10
Warne Top 25

Viv easily.

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

Viv. Is in the absolute top tier of batsmen(not counting Bradman) and choosing between him, Tendulkar, Hobbs and Sobers is very tough. The top tier pacers(Mcgrath, Marshall, Hadlee, Imran, Steyn, Ambrose) are better than Warne. Viv has a clearly more well rounded record, and the best short term peak bar Bradman. So Viv, not easily, but by an identifiable margin

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

Also Viv’s decline is not as big a hole as Warne’s record in Ind and WI, and against Ind in general. Even Tendulkar had an equally big decline. If Viv had gotten minnows to bash in his second peak, his average would have been like Tendulkar/Lara.

 

[HouHsiaoHsien]

Ah, the two players who unjustly took up spots on Wisden’s 5.

I didn’t mind Viv there but I’d go:
Bradman
Sobers
Imran
Hobbs
Hadlee
Runners Up(in order): Tendulkar/Marshall, Mcgrath, Viv

 

[BazBall21]

I tend to just go with Warne but it's a real 50-50.

 

[subshakerz]

Also Viv’s decline is not as big a hole as Warne’s record in Ind and WI, and against Ind in general. Even Tendulkar had an equally big decline. If Viv had gotten minnows to bash in his second peak, his average would have been like Tendulkar/Lara.

I agree. Viv's decline is compensated for me by his higher than average peak.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

I didn’t mind Viv there but I’d go:
Bradman
Sobers
Imran
Hobbs
Hadlee
Runners Up(in order): Tendulkar/Marshall, Mcgrath, Viv

Sobers
Bradman
Grace
Procter
Gavaskar

Hadlee
Tendulkar
Viv
Imran
Akram