PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Two wicketkeepers
OP suggests batting only which is why I voted Prior. Pretty comfortably Watling for me if we're including keeping.I always vote Watling, and I was a defender of Prior during those ridiculous Brad Haddin comparisons, but I think the mixture of Watling being a very solid gloveman and the owner of several absolutely ridiculous knocks makes this close.
Also on a quick check Watling has 1 more ton from a few less tests. 1 run difference in average as keepers. Huh, interesting, I'd have thought Prior would have the considerably prettier raw numbers.
Happy with my choice, happy for someone to pick Prior. I think I slightly prefer the better glovework and the 'bat for my life' attributes.
I think Prior was a pretty bog-standard keeper whereas Watling was world class with the gloves so I can echo Prince EWS in saying that I think Prior just takes it with the bat but Watling was probably the better test cricketer.I always vote Watling, and I was a defender of Prior during those ridiculous Brad Haddin comparisons, but I think the mixture of Watling being a very solid gloveman and the owner of several absolutely ridiculous knocks makes this close.
Also on a quick check Watling has 1 more ton from a few less tests. 1 run difference in average as keepers. Huh, interesting, I'd have thought Prior would have the considerably prettier raw numbers.
Happy with my choice, happy for someone to pick Prior. I think I slightly prefer the better glovework and the 'bat for my life' attributes.
Edit - lol, had a quick check of Haddin's numbers and it goes to show the absolute glugging that went on around here 10 years ago. My memory is he was a midfield keeper away from home and a bit vulnerable with the stick too, and he doesn't exactly have pretty numbers either. Good player for Australia though, in terms of providing a respectable service for the team. Had some Ashes heroics too.
Oh yeah missed that. Interesting one. The advantage of Watling for NZ was he was a specialist batsman and played like a specialist batsman who could also genuinely keep. I think we were both on the 'Watling should bat #5 if he ever can't keep' train.OP suggests batting only which is why I voted Prior. Pretty comfortably Watling for me if we're including keeping.
It's weird that this is true considering Prior was a proper domestic keeper and Watling was just shoehorned into it to fill a gap, but it definitely is.I think Prior was a pretty bog-standard keeper whereas Watling was world class with the gloves so I can echo Prince EWS in saying that I think Prior just takes it with the bat but Watling was probably the better test cricketer.
Prior was perfect coming in after the big guns had scored but he had some decent pressure knocks too.Prior a much better downhill skiier. Watling a better batsman
Underrated skill to downhill ski too. I love him and it hurts saying this but Watling's uncanny knack of getting out for 10 (25) after coming in at 350/4 probably slowed down a lot of NZ victories.Prior was perfect coming in after the big guns had scored but he had some decent pressure knocks too.
Just one whopper banging on about it wasn’t it?I always vote Watling, and I was a defender of Prior during those ridiculous Brad Haddin comparisons, but I think the mixture of Watling being a very solid gloveman and the owner of several absolutely ridiculous knocks makes this close.
Also on a quick check Watling has 1 more ton from a few less tests. 1 run difference in average as keepers. Huh, interesting, I'd have thought Prior would have the considerably prettier raw numbers.
Happy with my choice, happy for someone to pick Prior. I think I slightly prefer the better glovework and the 'bat for my life' attributes.
Edit - lol, had a quick check of Haddin's numbers and it goes to show the absolute glugging that went on around here 10 years ago. My memory is he was a midfield keeper away from home and a bit vulnerable with the stick too, and he doesn't exactly have pretty numbers either. Good player for Australia though, in terms of providing a respectable service for the team. Had some Ashes heroics too.
Very well curated well done, especially to throw India in there to depress his good performances against them.Prior had a very favourable age curve in test cricket and got to bat at the end of a very strong lineup throughout a batting era, but Watling averaged 24 against Australia India South Africa.