PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Two keepers
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BJ Watling vs Johnny Bairstow
- Thread starter PlayerComparisons
- Start date
PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Thought this would be closer
Flem274*
123/5
It's hard to rate Bairstow's career, because he spent about 70 tests being the poster boy for filler specialist batsmen with his mighty average of 34 or whatever it was.
He's found a bit of zing since. Very good player atm.
_Ed_
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World Cup excluded.
Chin Music
State Captain
Although Bairstow has had a somewhat in and out career, he is a better batsman than Watling. If you were to say who was the better cricketer, given the wicket-keeping element, my answer is different and Watling would get the nod. As the question was about batting, I answered accordingly.
PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Maybe it’ll be closer once Bairstow has better longevity
a massive zebra
International Captain
As a Test batsman, Johnny Bairstow has essentially had two great years and been crap for the rest of his career.
2016: 1,470 runs @ 58.80 with 3 centuries in 17 Tests
2022: 1,061 runs @ 66.31 with 6 centuries in 10 Tests
Rest of career: 3,271 runs @ 28.46 with 3 centuries in 68 Tests.
2016: 1,470 runs @ 58.80 with 3 centuries in 17 Tests
2022: 1,061 runs @ 66.31 with 6 centuries in 10 Tests
Rest of career: 3,271 runs @ 28.46 with 3 centuries in 68 Tests.
BazBall21
International Captain
Bairstow has done better against big teams, but suffered the bigger penalty because he had to play them more.
Things like that happen a lot in cricket and it goes over the heads of Average merchants. And before longevity or consistency etc is discussed, the 2017-2021 opposition and conditions combination that Jonny faced would have killed many decent players like Watling and Prior.
New Zealand batting conditions and New Zealand's opposition schedule are both more favourable tools for sustaining a long career.
Average RPW in their tests...
Watling 34.5
Bairstow 30.8
Significant difference. Watling had better batting conditions and played big teams less often.
Watling does have some tidy knocks though, and going with the completed career is understandable when the active player isn't indisputably better/more accomplished.
Things like that happen a lot in cricket and it goes over the heads of Average merchants. And before longevity or consistency etc is discussed, the 2017-2021 opposition and conditions combination that Jonny faced would have killed many decent players like Watling and Prior.
New Zealand batting conditions and New Zealand's opposition schedule are both more favourable tools for sustaining a long career.
Average RPW in their tests...
Watling 34.5
Bairstow 30.8
Significant difference. Watling had better batting conditions and played big teams less often.
Watling does have some tidy knocks though, and going with the completed career is understandable when the active player isn't indisputably better/more accomplished.
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PlayerComparisons
International Captain
The RPW difference could be partly down to NZ having better batters and worse bowlers tbf. Not a fan of RPW
BazBall21
International Captain
I feel pretty sure that New Zealand was a more batsman-friendly place than England during Watling's career tbh. The 2022 English summer was reminiscent of a New Zealand summer. Ball going to sleep after the first session and the middle order helping themselves. Bairstow in particular ran riot funnily enough.
Get the occasional minefield in New Zealand like the 2020 India series, but it has generally been a very good place for batting in recent times.
PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Yea that’s possibly true. I think the difference in quality of batters and bowlers is also a factor tho.
BazBall21
International Captain
It might be and thus RPW is far from perfect. But I still think Bairstow has faced stronger bowling and tougher batting conditions across his career.
HeathDavisSpeed
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I like Bairstow, but with Watling you know much more what you’re going to expect. So many of those runs in tough situations too. Bairstow’s peaks have been higher, perhaps, but overall I’d definitely take Watling’s batting as an overall package.
kyear2
Hall of Fame Member
Gun post
Not a fan of RPW though.
BazBall21
International Captain
Yeah I probably shouldn't have mentioned RPW as it's not needed. I think we all know New Zealand was an easier place to bat than England during the time Watling and Bairstow's careers overlapped.
PlayerComparisons
International Captain
If we’re going to rate players higher for harder home conditions then i guess that means G Smith > Hayden and Kallis > Ponting
BazBall21
International Captain
But I didn't say that. Look at the post before that. My point was it's been tougher for Bairstow to sustain a strong average and resume because he's had the harsher batting conditions at home and played big teams more frequently. I voted for Bairstow because I think he's done better against big teams, but I think Watling is a fair vote here for a few reasons.
Smith over Hayden and Kallis over Ponting are perfectly fair opinions.
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Prince EWS
Global Moderator
This but unironically.
Coronis
Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
I think this is a not unpopular opinion here.
shortpitched’s recent anonymous post war bat list: Kallis 10, Ponting 11.
Last years greatest batsman vote list: Ponting 14, Kallis 18 (separated by Pollock, Sanga, Border), Smith 37, Hayden 41
Last years greatest opening batsman vote list: Smith 6, Hayden 11
(discrepancy in those from last year is Barry Richards being included in the second list, Hayden being ranked ahead of Greenidge in the first list and behind in the second, Smith being behind Simpson in the first list and ahead in the second.