Atapattu vs Atherton

[harsh.ag]

Better opening batsman?

Atapattu

Atherton

 

[a massive zebra]

Attapattu was a very bad starter and a minnow basher who averaged 32 against top 8 teams. Attapattu perhaps had a greater hunger for runs and was more capable of really cashing in when conditions suited him, as his six Test double centuries show. Atherton was one of the worlds leading openers for considerable periods of time and but also had long periods of poor form. Attapattu was consistently inconsistent throughout his career.

 

[Bijed]

Attapattu was a very bad starter

Especially when starting a test career:

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Appetizer takes the cake on this one.

 

[sledger]

Both Assholes.

 

[GIMH]

Post reported for avoiding the filter

 

[sledger]

**** decision.

 

[andruid]

Carl Hooper

 

[morgieb]

The fact that Atapattu averaged over 40 against only three teams (two of them being Zimbabwe/Bangladesh) is not a great sign. Looked great when on but went missing way too often.

Atherton wasn't perfect and did get exposed by certain bowlers too regularly but he is the better batsman.

 

[mr_mister]

Atherton. Was surprised he got 15 fifties against us. Thought he was famously hopeless in ashes matches

 

[morgieb]

Atherton. Was surprised he got 15 fifties against us. Thought he was famously hopeless in ashes matches

More hopeless against McGrath, realistically speaking. Most of his Ashes 50's came before McGrath broke through.

 

[a massive zebra]

More hopeless against McGrath, realistically speaking. Most of his Ashes 50's came before McGrath broke through.

Atherton vs Australia with McGrath 17 Tests 677 runs @ 20.51 with 5 fifties
Atherton vs Australia without McGrath 16 Tests 1,223 runs @ 39.45 with 1 century and 10 fifties

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Atherton. Was surprised he got 15 fifties against us. Thought he was famously hopeless in ashes matches

When you play so many matches against only one opponent, expect to see stats like this.

 

[mr_mister]

True. He crammed a lot of ashes series into a test career that was pretty short in terms of years. 7 ducks against us is pretty telling ha

 

[NUFAN]

Atapattu's stats paddlin (or is it padding, I'm going to keep all of this) against Bangladesh and Zimbabwe really is significant.

I voted for Atherton, but I guess Atapattu wins a few points for going big and his record in the Sub-Cont does seem better than Atherton's. The funny thing about Atapattu during his career is that I always seemed to think he was quite an adaptable player in all conditions and was able to handle the extra bounce or seam/swing around the world. I don't think his record really shows this though.

 

[mr_mister]

Also, Athertons record against Wasim/Waqar I think elevates him over Attapattu

And despite a meagre average the Ambrose/Walsh Windies, 4 tons is a decent return.

 

[TheJediBrah]

Really surprised to see how bad Atapattu's stats are, even including the minnow-bashing. For some reason I always remembered him as a 50+ averaging test batsman. Maybe because he made a lot of really big scores.

 

[mr_mister]

Oh, and Atherton handled SAs quality 90s pacers too. Really good batsman for a bloke who averaged 37. I'd honestly say one of the best ever who averaged under 40. Hear me out

The dude had to face sides with 2 ATG bowlers in like 60-70% of the tests he played. windies, pak, Australia and saffers made up a giant bulk of his opponents. 89 of his 115 tests. Tough bloody ask for an opening bat.

When he got a reprieve against the NZ and India attacks he averaged 68 and 57

Really could argue he'd more likely than not average nearly 50 if he debuted 10 years later

 

[morgieb]

Oh, and Atherton handled SAs quality 90s pacers too. Really good batsman for a bloke who averaged 37. I'd honestly say one of the best ever who averaged under 40. Hear me out

The dude had to face sides with 2 ATG bowlers in like 60-70% of the tests he played. windies, pak, Australia and saffers made up a giant bulk of his opponents. 89 of his 115 tests. Tough bloody ask for an opening bat.

When he got a reprieve against the NZ and India attacks he averaged 68 and 57

Really could argue he'd more likely than not average nearly 50 if he debuted 10 years later

Have we found Richard’s new account?

 

[mr_mister]

I know I sound a little crazy but the evidence showed when he faced easier attacks he was super successful. Like at least Lara and the Waughs didn't have to face their own bowling attacks. Atherton managing to avoid Defreitas and Cork isn't as advantageous

I know by my logic that makes Sachins record even more impressive, so be it