Who are the top 5 test cricketers of the 1970s and 1980s?

[Swamp Witch Hattie]

I think you can make a case that Botham has more match impact than Viv.

Hadlee's bowling was of an incredibly high quality for a very long time whereas Botham's bowling was great for the first five years after which he averaged 36.5 with the ball. If Viv has any sort of significant RPM advantage over Botham, that might be sufficient if we are talking about the Botham who was bowling pies or even the average Botham because a bowling average of 28.4 is not exactly awe-inspiring.

 

[subshakerz]

Hadlee's bowling was of an incredibly high quality for a very long time whereas Botham's bowling was great for the first five years after which he averaged 36.5 with the ball. If Viv has any sort of significant RPM advantage over Botham, that might be sufficient if we are talking about the Botham who was bowling pies or even the average Botham because a bowling average of 28.4 is not exactly awe-inspiring.

Botham is a lot better bat than Hadlee.

 

[Swamp Witch Hattie]

Botham is a lot better bat than Hadlee.

Response 1:

I disagree. Hadlee was a lean, mean vampire bat whereas Botham was a lazy, morbidly obese fruit bat, fat and unfit due to the consumption of too much fructose!

Response 2:

Subsz, I think both you and I know that Hadlee was a greater cricketer than Botham. Botham was great for about five years whereas Hadlee was great for about 12 years five months and Botham's superior batsmanship can't make up for that. I think you might be trolling me here a little bit!

 

[subshakerz]

Response 1:

I disagree. Hadlee was a lean, mean vampire bat whereas Botham was a lazy, morbidly obese fruit bat, fat and unfit due to the consumption of too much fructose!

Response 2:

Subsz, I think both you and I know that Hadlee was a greater cricketer than Botham. Botham was great for about five years whereas Hadlee was great for about 12 years five months and Botham's superior batsmanship can't make up for that. I think you might be trolling me here a little bit!

Of course Hadlee is a better cricketer. But I am asking why Bothams match impact is less than Viv.

 

[Swamp Witch Hattie]

Of course Hadlee is a better cricketer. But I am asking why Bothams match impact is less than Viv.

I've explained why! Here! (first post of this page) - because Botham's bowling sucked for a very long time. Now, if you're talking about early Botham, that's a different matter. I suspect he would have had greater POSITIVE impact then than just about anybody!

from http://www.cricketweb.net/highest-impact-the-most-impactful-test-players-of-all-time/:

 

[Srinath P]

Hadlee, Imran, Marshall, Richards and Botham in that order. Lillee for Botham is also a nice debate.

 

[Coronis]

I've explained why! Here! (first post of this page) - because Botham's bowling sucked for a very long time. Now, if you're talking about early Botham, that's a different matter. I suspect he would have had greater POSITIVE impact then than just about anybody!

from http://www.cricketweb.net/highest-impact-the-most-impactful-test-players-of-all-time/:

View attachment 48479

Awesome to see Davo up there right @Prince EWS It’d be interesting to see an update on this with players such as Smith and Bumrah. Too bad @chasingthedon isn’t really around anymore

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Knott should have been included in the list. He debuted in 1967 but played 77 tests from 1970 onwards. He was an ATG keeper who averaged about the same as Botham and Kapil with the bat.

 

[ashley bach]

Who was the top test cricketer of the 70's and 80's excluding:

Imran
Paddles
Viv
Marshall

 

[ma1978]

Who was the top test cricketer of the 70's and 80's excluding:

Imran
Paddles
Viv
Marshall

Gavaskar or Botham

 

[DrWolverine]

Who was the top test cricketer of the 70's and 80's excluding:

Imran
Paddles
Viv
Marshall

Gavaskar easily imo
The best post war opener
First batsman to score 10000+ runs
First batsman to score 30+ centuries
First player to score 100 in both innings 3 times
First batsman to score 5000 away runs
Only player to score 200 in 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th inn
10 centuries against ATG fast bowlers