1) A conversation between Ikki and myself a couple of weeks ago had us arguing about the concept of class in the sense that a particular player is in a different class (league, category, playing field, levels...you name it) from another in terms of quality. In that instance it was about Gavaskar and Chappell. While it could well be a semantic point, the article by that arch spanker, Roebuck, in the SMH today jogged my memory about the point. In particular, the bit:
2) The threads about the best batsmen in subcontinental and nonsubcontinental conditions were also interesting since they certainly beg the question of what defines a subcontinental pitch (or conditions). After all, the subcontinent is, surprise, a huge place and there is considerable variation in pitches. At the same time, can all subcontinental countries actually be termed to be similar enough to be lumped together? I would imagine not but I would like to hear your views on it.
3) The All time 11 with a twist by SJS with overlapping eras/players also made me think of when it is fair to say the modern era of batsmenship actually started? Grace's time? Hobbs's? Bradman's? Sobers's? And how one weights batsmen or bowlers from one era against another when comparing their merits. To what extent does having watched a batsman - say, Hayden - affect your understanding of his quality relative to having read about someone - say Hobbs?
Now, I would like to ask how those on the forum approach this issue when thinking of and rating the great players.These fellows count amongst the four greatest batsmen of the era. Most observers place them a fraction below Brian Lara, the twinkle-toed genius, and Sachin Tendulkar, master of classical and contemporary. In part it has been a question of style. Lara could scintillate; Tendulkar's strokes are etched in perfection. Beside them, Kallis can seem ponderous and Ponting pragmatic.
2) The threads about the best batsmen in subcontinental and nonsubcontinental conditions were also interesting since they certainly beg the question of what defines a subcontinental pitch (or conditions). After all, the subcontinent is, surprise, a huge place and there is considerable variation in pitches. At the same time, can all subcontinental countries actually be termed to be similar enough to be lumped together? I would imagine not but I would like to hear your views on it.
3) The All time 11 with a twist by SJS with overlapping eras/players also made me think of when it is fair to say the modern era of batsmenship actually started? Grace's time? Hobbs's? Bradman's? Sobers's? And how one weights batsmen or bowlers from one era against another when comparing their merits. To what extent does having watched a batsman - say, Hayden - affect your understanding of his quality relative to having read about someone - say Hobbs?
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