BazBall21
International Regular
Yeah my order tooHayden > Smith > Sehwag > Cook
Yeah my order tooHayden > Smith > Sehwag > Cook
Surprising with the amount of tests England play.Only Kane has done some proper minnow bashing in the Fab Four. Root and Smith have never had the chance.
Yeah if it wasn't for political issues I would be a big advocate for a tour of ZimbabweSurprising with the amount of tests England play.
He played in the conditions that were as batting friendly as ever seen before for good majority of his career though (particularly in Australia). That’s not to say he has never scored when it was difficult; he did for example during last Australian tours of India and England. However, it’s also disingenuous to say he didn’t get an opportunity to cash out on flat wickets.Interestingly, Steve Smith doesn’t have any minnow bashing in his record which makes his average more impressive. He could probably average 65+ if he played against the minnows more often.
Smith did get good home conditions before the ban.He played in the conditions that were as batting friendly as ever seen before for good majority of his career though (particularly in Australia). That’s not to say he has never scored when it was difficult; he did for example during last Australian tours of India and England. However, it’s also disingenuous to say he didn’t get an opportunity to cash out on flat wickets.
Balance between ball and bat has shifted in last 3-4 years and so has average of all major batsmen. It’s not just a coincidence that apart from Smith, players like Kohli and Williamson haven’t been living up to the hype.
Irrelevant, he averages 62.91 at home, 60.39 away from home. "Flat home wickets" have had no influence on his record.He played in the conditions that were as batting friendly as ever seen before for good majority of his career though (particularly in Australia).
62.91 at home while 57.56 at away+ neutral.Irrelevant, he averages 62.91 at home, 60.39 away from home.
If anything, he hasn’t cashed out at home at all considering his ability and away record. With an away average of 60, I’d have expected him to average 70+ at home.Irrelevant, he averages 62.91 at home, 60.39 away from home. "Flat home wickets" have had no influence on his record.
It's disingenuous to say that he did "cash out" on flat home wickets, especially when you compare him to Kane (averages 26 more at home than away) and Kohli (averages 19 more at home than away).
Ok but you're saying that he's benefited from them statistically aren't you? Which isn't really the caseRead post one more time: we are taking about flattest wickets Australia consistently dished out before 3-4 years ago. I bet his home vs away + neutral discrepancy would even go higher during that time period.
So, very relevant. And when batting conditions have become difficult, everyone including smith’s average has suffered.
Of course he benefited from playing consistently on those sort of wickets for certain time period; look at David Warner. It’s not a coincidence his average has taken a huge hit when Australia started dishing out more sporting wickets in last few years.Ok but you're saying that he's benefited from them statistically aren't you? Which isn't really the case
I have 2 theories on this, first is that his modus operandi is much less reliant on conditions than most players. Whereas a David Warner or Mitch Marsh would be unstoppable on a road, but useless on a wicket with spice, he is only very slightly inconvenienced by bowling-friendly conditions in comparison, and the way he often gets himself out happens just as much on flat wickets as others because it's his own doing rather than the bowlers.If anything, he hasn’t cashed out at home at all considering his ability and away record. With an away average of 60, I’d have expected him to average 70+ at home.
Sure but to a very limited extent, which the numbers clearly demonstrateOf course he benefited from playing consistently on those sort of wickets for certain time period
Smith has six series in that period at home in which he averaged 100 plus, and then the one in England in 2019. Yeah it was a flat pitch time but he cashed in magnificently and is still keeping that average 60 somehow.Of course he benefited from playing consistently on those sort of wickets for certain time period; look at David Warner. It’s not a coincidence his average has taken a huge hit when Australia started dishing out more sporting wickets in last few years.
Kohli and Williamson also did very well during that “flat wicket” time period in Australia when they toured there.
Glad someone else mentioned it. G Smith has four centuries in successful chases in SA, NZ, Australia and England and multiple knocks in saving matches as well. A very high impact and high pressure player who scores when it matters the most IMO.Smith easily. The 4th innings record sways it completely.
I agree with the choice of Smith, but not this reasoning. The idea that 4th innings matters most is a fallacy.Glad someone else mentioned it. G Smith has four centuries in successful chases in SA, NZ, Australia and England and multiple knocks in saving matches as well. A very high impact and high pressure player who scores when it matters the most IMO.
I don't judge batsmen based on their raw fourth innings numbers as it's too general. But I do think objectively there is more pressure, pre-Bazball, in larger fourth innings chases.I agree with the choice of Smith, but not this reasoning. The idea that 4th innings matters most is a fallacy.
Yes batting in the 4th innings is harder, but Test matches are won and lost on first innings performances far more often than 4th innings. A lot of games by the time you get to the 4th innings the game is already decided and it's token cricket. If you have to choose between players with similar records but 1 bosses 1st innings and the other bosses 2nd innings you should be going with the one that dominates 1st innings more, it will win you more matches.