sayon basak
International Coach
The greater English cricketer?
-
Welcome to the Cricket Web forums, one of the biggest forums in the world dedicated to cricket.
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest which gives you limited access to view most discussions and access our other features. By joining our free community you will have access to post topics, respond to polls, upload content and access many other special features. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join the Cricket Web community today!
If you have any problems with the registration process or your account login, please contact us.
Hedley Verity vs Les Ames
- Thread starter sayon basak
- Start date
PlayerComparisons
International Captain
Tough one
An accomplished county batsman, some claimed Ames was good enough to play for England as a batsman alone, which he wasn't, despite doing so three times against New Zealand, West Indies and South Africa. Ames' average of 27 against Australia is only ninth highest among English keepers, behind the likes of Knott, Jim Parks and Jack Russell.
As a wicket-keeper, he missed very few regular chances, standing up or back, but generally lacked the quick brilliance to snap up half-chances. Oldfield didn't think he was a natural.
It was said that the best two wicket-keepers in England at the time were both at Lancashire: George Duckworth and Bill Farrimond. Duckworth, a tail-end bat, kept Ames out of England's teams against Australia until a poor performance behind the stumps in the decisive Oval Test of 1930. Duckworth's successful appeal against Bradman, when only keeper and umpire thought there was an edge, cost an irritated Don the chance of a thousand runs in the series, but the Australian said he would have carried on picking Duckworth instead of Ames.
There was something of a north/south divide in the Duckworth v Ames debate, with northerners arguing for a “proper keeper” and southerners talking up Ames. A few years earlier Gregory and McDonald had panicked the selectors into handing the gloves to George Brown, second-choice keeper at Hampshire who spent more time bowling. As a batsman Brown had a reputation for taking on fast bowlers and he fulfilled that part of the bargain. Australia continued to select their best wicket-keepers, irrespective of batting, until the 1970s.
As a wicket-keeper, he missed very few regular chances, standing up or back, but generally lacked the quick brilliance to snap up half-chances. Oldfield didn't think he was a natural.
It was said that the best two wicket-keepers in England at the time were both at Lancashire: George Duckworth and Bill Farrimond. Duckworth, a tail-end bat, kept Ames out of England's teams against Australia until a poor performance behind the stumps in the decisive Oval Test of 1930. Duckworth's successful appeal against Bradman, when only keeper and umpire thought there was an edge, cost an irritated Don the chance of a thousand runs in the series, but the Australian said he would have carried on picking Duckworth instead of Ames.
There was something of a north/south divide in the Duckworth v Ames debate, with northerners arguing for a “proper keeper” and southerners talking up Ames. A few years earlier Gregory and McDonald had panicked the selectors into handing the gloves to George Brown, second-choice keeper at Hampshire who spent more time bowling. As a batsman Brown had a reputation for taking on fast bowlers and he fulfilled that part of the bargain. Australia continued to select their best wicket-keepers, irrespective of batting, until the 1970s.
Last edited: