KungFu_Kallis
International 12th Man
Another super dooper, is XYZ an ATG thread... but interested to hear the consensus.
Purely as a batsman, would Graeme Smith at this stage go down as an ATG. Perhaps one of the top 10 opening batsmen of all time may be one possible yardstick. Can one name 10 better ones?
My thoughts - Depends as always how heavily your personal rating is based on aesthetics and strokeplay (questionable quality), overall batting average (relatively unspectacular) or whether one looks more at important runs under pressure, e.g. 4th innings chases, or leading from the front by setting the tone for an innings/series. I understand none of his 25 centuries have ended up in defeats.
Perhaps scoring rate could come into it as well, his usually aggressive approach and the possible demoralizing or disorientating effect on bowlers caused by his bruising, leg side biffing style. And potentially setting a solid, even inspiring platform for team mates to build upon. I'm not sure what his record is all around the world, or what his overall consistency has been vs any lean patches (don't think there's been too many). And perhaps there are other intangibles may come into it.
Your thoughts.
Purely as a batsman, would Graeme Smith at this stage go down as an ATG. Perhaps one of the top 10 opening batsmen of all time may be one possible yardstick. Can one name 10 better ones?
My thoughts - Depends as always how heavily your personal rating is based on aesthetics and strokeplay (questionable quality), overall batting average (relatively unspectacular) or whether one looks more at important runs under pressure, e.g. 4th innings chases, or leading from the front by setting the tone for an innings/series. I understand none of his 25 centuries have ended up in defeats.
Perhaps scoring rate could come into it as well, his usually aggressive approach and the possible demoralizing or disorientating effect on bowlers caused by his bruising, leg side biffing style. And potentially setting a solid, even inspiring platform for team mates to build upon. I'm not sure what his record is all around the world, or what his overall consistency has been vs any lean patches (don't think there's been too many). And perhaps there are other intangibles may come into it.
Your thoughts.