What's the deal with old English openers?

[the big bambino]

Yes but Ben Stokes would’ve been transported to Australia for fighting and won the World Cup for us.

 

[Coronis]

Yes but Ben Stokes would’ve been transported to Australia for fighting and won the World Cup for us.

What World Cup?

 

[the big bambino]

What World Cup?

You know ... the thing.

 

[Coronis]

You know ... the thing.

Triangular Tests?

 

[the big bambino]

Wasn't a serious comment.

 

[Line and Length]

@shortpitched713 Why not fire a few shots at W.G.Grace's reputation while you are at it?

 

[shortpitched713]

@shortpitched713 Why not fire a few shots at W.G.Grace's reputation while you are at it?

I didn't think anyone took him seriously...

 

[Coronis]

Wasn't a serious comment.

I know mate, was just ribbing

 

[Flem274*]

you don’t appear to realise that if you play against a stronger opponent more frequently your average will be higher.

it is modern bowlers figures that are flattered because they play more often against mediocre or minnow opponents.

There were two good teams and then several bad ones early on tbf. I've seen some of the early era NZ bowlers. They wouldn't play Senior A let alone Premier Grade today. Look at Cave and Cresswell below:

 

[the big bambino]

There were two good teams and then several bad ones early on tbf. I've seen some of the early era NZ bowlers. They wouldn't play Senior A let alone Premier Grade today. Look at Cave and Cresswell below:

I’ve seen chatfield cairns Snedden and a few others. Harris. All looked funny and effete but were still effective. So we can all go rotten apple picking, point and laugh, to make a point.

There are more good players around. Because, you know, more teams and people play the game.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean there are more good sides. You’ve heard of the big 3. Even more pronounced now that SA batting is 1st class level at best and NZ haven’t repeated the form after they lucked into the wtc final.

the 60s had 4 good sides out of 7. Hobbs day 2 out of 3. Even that’s misleading as the best English players would’ve spent most of their time v Aus rather than sharing matches with that opponent and SA. Therefore less opportunity for softening your figures against mediocre and fledgling teams.

 

[Patience and Accuracy+Gut]

Fully agree with the opening post

Transport Rory Burns to the early 20th century and he would have statistics very similar to Hobbs/ Sutcliffe etc. Same for Zack Crawely too

I do rate Hutton much higher though at least he faced up to Lindwall and Miller

I would like to have seen any human being say this when Sydney Barnes was still alive.
I mean are people joking,Barney would have made those guys,Burns,Crawley etc. a joke even at 65.
And I can’t imagine Burns and Crawley going up against Tiger O’Reilly.

 

[Coronis]

I would like to have seen any human being say this when Sydney Barnes was still alive.
I mean are people joking,Barney would have made those guys,Burns,Crawley etc. a joke even at 65.
And I can’t imagine Burns and Crawley going up against Tiger O’Reilly.

And Barnes was just a club bowler in the Lancashire League, imagine how great the others were.