Better Test Batsman: Javed Miandad vs Martin Crowe

[Fuller Pilch]

Was it their first ever win against England then? I was telling about workload tho.

Yeah it must've been. First win vs England he got 6/26 off 13.3 (after 4 wickets in the 1st innings) as he and left-armer Richard Collinge bowled them out for 64.

 

[Pap Finn Keighl]

Crowe was the more talented batsman, but Miandad achieved more statistically, helped greatly by the assistance of home umpires.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, had Crowe been born in Australia he would have averaged >55 in Tests & I base that on;

1) the fact he would have likely been picked around the age of 22-23 & not 19 as with NZ &
2) He loved the more bouncy Australian wickets and averaged 67 there in 15 innings.
3) He would have played more matches in his peak years (23-32) including 5 Test ashes series

But he was not Sachin Tendulkar to use that excuse, Crowe career lasted only 14 years.. Which itself is less than normal great batsmen careers.. Removing 3-4 years from a 14 year career is not a good idea, which would result in a questionable short career.
And even if you remove first 3 years of his career, avg still stays below Miandad's avg..
11 peak years - 51 avg
18 years career - 53 avg

On the other hand, if you take first 14 years of Miandad career for a fairer comparison..
Crowe - 45 avg
Miandad - 57 avg

 

[smash84]

Crowe was the more talented batsman, but Miandad achieved more statistically, helped greatly by the assistance of home umpires.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, had Crowe been born in Australia he would have averaged >55 in Tests & I base that on;

1) the fact he would have likely been picked around the age of 22-23 & not 19 as with NZ &
2) He loved the more bouncy Australian wickets and averaged 67 there in 15 innings.
3) He would have played more matches in his peak years (23-32) including 5 Test ashes series

Miandad would average > 65 if he was born in WI. I base that on

1) He wouldn't have to face the WI attack
2) He would be able to do better in Australia because he would get to practice a lot of bouncy fast bowlers
3) He would have played more matches all through the WI peak and hence get to dominate a lot of the other teams. He was already dominating Hadlee.

 

[Migara]

Crowe was Ar4avinda de Silva of New Zealand. Had all elements of being an ATG bat, thrusted in to the team very young, delightful, but risky stroke makers, played reverse swing like bosses. Only thing that seperates them is that Aravinda had a longer career, and his exclusions on fitness led to player revolts unlike Crowe's. If Crowe played little longer would have scored much more as well.