Zimbabwe's second greatest batsman

[fredfertang]

Went for Houghton, though had Goodwin not spent the best years of his career lolling about in the shires then I suspect the question of who has the accolade of being the best ever Zim batsman wouldn't be so straightforward

 

[BoyBrumby]

Clearly Houghton. Quality, quality player.

Yeah, would agree with this.

Also indisputably a Zimba too; Goodwn clearly a quality operator, but arguably owes as much of his cricketing upbringing to WA. Moved there in early teens, IIRC?

 

[morgieb]

Who said Flower was their best batsman?

To answer the question, probably Houghton, although Goodwin went to the UK/back to Australia too early to see.

 

[tooextracool]

This is a tough question because it is quite clearly between Houghton and Goodwin. IMO had Goodwin played a few years longer than he did he would have quite clearly have been up there with Andy Flower as one of the best produced by Zimbabwe and this is backed by his CC and Sheffield Shield record. However, based on their respective test match careers theres no clear argument for either one being better than the other.

 

[kingkallis]

Goodwin
Houghton
Grant Flower
Campbell [ Very stylish ]

 

[tooextracool]

Bit surprised that Stuart Carlisle isnt on this poll. Only Zimbabwian with a test century against Australia.

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Some may say that Houghton was better than Flower.We never found out in test cricket as Houghton only started when he was past it,not his fault but it is one thing to be remembered.

 

[Chubb]

It's Houghton for me. In terms of everything he did for Zimbabwean cricket he can't be bettered, and given he was already mid to late 30s when he started playing tests his record is superb.

Goodwin was a brilliant player, but as someone pointed out he was mainly produced by WA - not to deny his contribution to Zimbabwe nor his test achievements.

 

[Prince EWS]

Goodwin just over Houghton for mine.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Brian Davison should be in the poll. Far better player than all but Houghton.

 

[Langeveldt]

Graeme Hick

 

[Bonnie Prince C]

For me it was only really between Houghton and Goodwin. I voted for Goodwin based on his overall game. Both were very good players who could have made big names for themselves on the international stage if they had been given more of a chance. I have seen Goodwin hit many runs in both forms of county cricket and anyone who averages 48 after over 250 FC matches and has a triple hundred to their name is quality in my book.

 

[Jezroy]

Goodwin was/is a very good player, but I saw Houghton score a **** hot century with a broken foot at Eden Park, so I'll go with him.

PS. That 266 looked as though it was EPIC.

 

[Top_Cat]

Houghton. No disrespect to Goodwin, though.

 

[Burgey]

Clearly Houghton. Quality, quality player.

This.

 

[Noble One]

Tight contest between Goodwin and Houghton.

My vote was for Goodwin, but only by a flip of the coin it was that close. I am biased towards Goodwin simply because I grew up watching him bat for Western Australia on countless occasions. I notice he must have passed 20,000 first class runs this season.

I always found it odd that more talk didn't occur in Australia to poach Goodwin as an Australian Test cricketer. Goodwin did play in Australia during a time of immense batting depth and he did "only" average 41 playing for WA. Still remains one of the top performers during the late 90's, early 00's in a pretty tough to crack WA middle order.

 

[Julian87]

In ODIs it is definitely Grant Flower. Yes he was slow at times but that career average is a good one for someone that played in so many ordinary sides in different batting positions.

I honestly can't comment on test cricket. Being from Australia I've seen them play sfa test cricket. I know what happened but I can't judge it off scorecards tbh.

 

[Matt79]

Tight contest between Goodwin and Houghton.

My vote was for Goodwin, but only by a flip of the coin it was that close. I am biased towards Goodwin simply because I grew up watching him bat for Western Australia on countless occasions. I notice he must have passed 20,000 first class runs this season.

I always found it odd that more talk didn't occur in Australia to poach Goodwin as an Australian Test cricketer. Goodwin did play in Australia during a time of immense batting depth and he did "only" average 41 playing for WA. Still remains one of the top performers during the late 90's, early 00's in a pretty tough to crack WA middle order.

Bolded part answers your own question tbh. I've never understood why Goodwin is so highly rated - outside the context of being from Zimbabwe.

One of Hicks or Houghton for mine.

 

[popepouri]

Houghton.

Bad technique but had an incredible eye.

 

[aussie]

Brian Davison should be in the poll. Far better player than all but Houghton.

Good shout. Andy Pycroft also should be in this poll.