John Arlott's 100 Greatest Batsmen(1986)

[DrWolverine]

 

[sayon basak]

Yeah read it online a month ago. Some of the inclusions seem a bit weird personally.

 

[DrWolverine]

Yeah read it online a month ago. Some of the inclusions seem a bit weird personally.

I finished reading Jarrod Kimber’s book finally so thought of trying another similar book. This was on the first page so wanted to share it here.

 

[Burgey]

No Tendulkar. Sucked in.

 

[DrWolverine]

 

[bagapath]

after 40 years, about 40-45 of them would still make it to the top 100 for sure. another 25 would be in contention. awesome list.

 

[capt_Luffy]

after 40 years, about 40-45 of them would still make it to the top 100 for sure. another 25 would be in contention. awesome list.

John Reid, Les Ames, Charlie Barnett, Charlie Bannerman, Syd Gregory.....

 

[ataraxia]

Hello people my name is Tuppy Owen-Smith, I average less than Michael Neser does in FC cricket. I have 3 tons in 101 games. This is my friend, Pom Pom Fellows-Smith ↓.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Hello people my name is Tuppy Owen-Smith, I average less than Michael Neser does in FC cricket. I have 3 tons in 101 games. This is my friend, Pom Pom Fellows-Smith ↓.

WTAF..... Completely missed him lol

 

[ataraxia]

WTAF..... Completely missed him lol

There's lots of players listed who have an ordinary FC record but good test average in like single-digit number of tests – Owen-Smith, Milburn, Melville, Bannerman, etc. I don't think Arlott understood the concept of samplesizelol.

 

[capt_Luffy]

There's lots of players listed who have an ordinary FC record but good test average in like single-digit number of tests – Owen-Smith, Milburn, Melville, Bannerman, etc. I don't think Arlott understood the concept of samplesizelol.

I atleast can see the angle for Milburn and Bannerman and Melville (no matter how much I deeply disagree), Tuppy did nothing notable in Tests either

 

[peterhrt]

Tuppy did nothing notable in Tests either

In 1982 statistician Derek Lodge assessed the greatest Test innings ever played. Tuppy Owen-Smith was in tied third place for his 129 at Headingley in 1929.

'Tuppy' Owen-Smith played in only one Test series and scored only one century, but it rates very high. He came in at 73 for 5 in the third innings of the match, South Africa still being ten runs behind England. When the ninth wicket fell they were 80 in front but Owen-Smith and Bell then added 103 in 65 minutes and England had to fight to win the match.

It may seem ungenerous not to give 10 for 'game' [situation] in this case but Owen-Smith joined a recognised batsman and the game was not for him alone to save when he started. Larwood was absent in this innings; nevertheless the attack was strong and well-balanced and the innings deserves to score highly.

Of all the English commentators Arlott was the least sympathetic towards South African cricketers. He refused to commentate on their matches as early as 1960 and called for them to be banned from Tests long before they were. He was also instrumental in bringing D'Oliveira to England.

Owen-Smith incidentally was regarded as one of the great outfielders. He captained England at rugby.

 

[DrWolverine]

I atleast can see the angle for Milburn and Bannerman and Melville (no matter how much I deeply disagree), Tuppy did nothing notable in Tests either

Just 3 Tests.
44 First class matches and an average of 21.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Just 3 Tests.
44 First class matches and an average of 21.

Ofcourse it's for the 165. First match Ever, first Test Century, still standing record yarra yarra..... Just that even if the Tuppy innings was better, he certainly is much more forgettable than Bannerman.

 

[DrWolverine]

Ofcourse it's for the 165. First match Ever, first Test Century, still standing record yarra yarra..... Just that even if the Tuppy innings was better, he certainly is much more forgettable than Bannerman.

This is the first time I am hearing about Tuppy. Anyway it is nice reading about cricket history and learning new things.

 

[sayon basak]

John Reid, Les Ames, Charlie Barnett, Charlie Bannerman, Syd Gregory.....

Adds to the awesomeness of the list.

 

[bagapath]

John Reid, Les Ames, Charlie Barnett, Charlie Bannerman, Syd Gregory.....

Les Ames is a strong choice even now. Sad Gregory and Bannerman are also awesome selections. JohnReid was terrific; but he and Barnett wont be in contention anymore.

 

[DrWolverine]

Adds to the awesomeness of the list.

I expected an analytical book like the Jarrod Kimber one but this is just him picking up a specific player and writing about him in 2-3 pages.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Les Ames is a strong choice even now. Sad Gregory and Bannerman are also awesome selections. JohnReid was terrific; but he and Barnett wont be in contention anymore.

Les Ames is a strong choice for English 100, he ain't in no contention for the World, wasn't so in 86. Bannerman and Gregory moreso.

 

[DrWolverine]

My favourite photo in the book so far : Edrich and Compton make their way through the vast crowds after England regained the Ashes at The Oval in 1953.