Top 100 Test Batsmen countdown (revised and updated)

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Due to popular demand* to avoid derailing DoG's countdown, please can folks move the strike rate discussions to one of the dedicated strike rate discussion threads, e.g. https://www.cricketweb.net/forum/th...and-consistently-blunting-the-new-ball.97360/

[For the record, the ideal Test strike rate is 52.92.]


*Ali TT asked for it, politely.

 

[Jane Austen]

Due to popular demand* to avoid derailing DoG's countdown, please can folks move the strike rate discussions to one of the dedicated strike rate discussion threads, e.g. https://www.cricketweb.net/forum/th...and-consistently-blunting-the-new-ball.97360/

[For the record, the ideal Test strike rate is 52.92.]


*Ali TT asked for it, politely.

Noted and my apologies to all.
Sorry if I inadvertently caused any disrespect to Days of Grace.
PS Red Ink Squid,how do I reply to posts on this thread but for which this particular and specified subject has been transferred to another thread please?

 

[Days of Grace]

Not at all. I instigated the discussion, lol.

 

[Days of Grace]

No.8

George Headley (West Indies) 844



2019 edition: rank 27

Career: 1930-1954, 2190 runs (rank 46)

Overall average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (40 inns): 62.73 (60.83) 56.46 (54.75) 47.75 (44.12) (rank 5)
Peak Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (1930-1954; 40 inns): 62.73 56.46 47.75 (rank 17)
Non-Home Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (22 inns): 51.37 46.70 46.95 (rank 37)
Top Opposition Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (39 inns): 64.48 57.87 47.76 (rank 3)

 

[Days of Grace]

No.7

Sachin Tendulkar (India) 854

2019 edition: rank 7

Career: 1989-2013, 15921 runs (rank 1)

Overall average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (329 inns): 49.59 (53.79) 44.61 (48.39) 49.96 (53.96) (rank 22)
Peak Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (1997-2002; 69 inns): 66.25 59.53 56.08 (rank 8)
Non-Home Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (176 inns): 50.01 45.18 50.51 (rank 15)
Top Opposition Average/Runs per innings/Strike-rate (39 inns): 46.55 43.03 50.10 (rank 38)

If he had retired after the 2011 world cup, Tendulkar would have finished in 4th on 867 points.

 

[Johan]

If he had retired after the 2011 world cup, Tendulkar would have finished in 4th on 867 points.

Oooh now I have a question to ask when Sir Len shows up.

 

[Days of Grace]

Discussion point: If I had ranked Tendulkar 7th in 2013 immediately following his retirement, there may have been an outcry. With the passage of time, have knowledgeable cricket followers accepted that there may be other batsmen worthy of the esteemed status of being second only to Bradman?

 

[Days of Grace]

Oooh now I have a question to ask when Sir Len shows up.

He was a slow batsman, so surely this system will underrate him, no?

 

[Johan]

He was a slow batsman, so surely this system will underrate him, no?

Instigating in your own thread? truly the W.G. Grace of all instigators on this site.

Though, seriously, I'd appreciate if you mention how high Hutton would place if he retired at the end of the 1954 England tour of West Indies, the day he described as his final day as a great batsman, similarly to how you described Sachin would do if he retired after 2011 WC.

 

[DrWolverine]

With the passage of time, have knowledgeable cricket followers accepted that there may be other batsmen worthy of the esteemed status of being second only to Bradman?

Even then, people accepted other names such as Sobers, Richards and Lara. I do not think Len Hutton is a popular choice outside of this sub though.

 

[subshakerz]

Discussion point: If I had ranked Tendulkar 7th in 2013 immediately following his retirement, there may have been an outcry. With the passage of time, have knowledgeable cricket followers accepted that there may be other batsmen worthy of the esteemed status of being second only to Bradman?

Lol No!

 

[kyear2]

Even then, people accepted other names such as Sobers, Richards and Lara. I do not think Len Hutton is a popular choice outside of this sub though.

Really isn't, never have been.

 

[Line and Length]

Even then, people accepted other names such as Sobers, Richards and Lara. I do not think Len Hutton is a popular choice outside of this sub though.

Really isn't, never have been.

I'm not sure I agree. By "popular choice" do you mean high approval or personal preference? When great openers are discussed, Hobbs, Huttom, Sutcliffe and Gavaskar are the most frequently mentioned. with the first two ranked in the Top 5 in the 2024 batsmen poll.

 

[DrWolverine]

Really isn't, never have been.

What is your argument against him?

 

[DrWolverine]

I'm not sure I agree. By "popular choice" do you mean high approval or personal preference.

Len Hutton is an overlooked great among modern fans.

His career fell between two legends; the greatest cricketer of all time and greatest all rounder of all time.

Also his style was built entirely on patience, control and discipline with very little drama making him statistically elite but not someone who stands out like Viv

 

[Line and Length]

Len Hutton is an overlooked great among modern fans.

I see a difference between modern fans and the true students of the game. We have both categories in CW while some are hybrids of the two categories.

 

[janedcaffe]

New poster here, just my observation from this whole thread -
Among the 90s players only Alec Stewart has an adjusted average higher than his raw average. Among post 2010 players only Joe Root, Travis Head ,Rishabh Pant ,Kamindu Mendis , Yashasvi Jaiswal , Marnus Labuschagne and Babar Azam have adjusted averages higher than their raw averages .

This has been a great thread really enjoyed reading it. Thanks to Days of Grace for putting together such a knowledgeable and insightful analysis.

 

[DrWolverine]

Maybe Len Hutton is the second best batsman ever but what works against him is perception. He doesn’t quite stand out the way others do.

Jack Hobbs : Early 1900s legend and best before Don
Don Bradman : Greatest of all time.
Gary Sobers : Greatest all rounder
Viv Richards : Swagger, intimidation and dominance
Brian Lara : Defined by big knocks. 277, 375 & 400.
Sachin Tendulkar : Longevity, records. Most runs/100s.

Everyone else has a clear narrative or identity.
Despite being statistically elite, Hutton doesn’t have one. I feel Smith will face the same issue in future.

 

[kyear2]

I'm not sure I agree. By "popular choice" do you mean high approval or personal preference? When great openers are discussed, Hobbs, Huttom, Sutcliffe and Gavaskar are the most frequently mentioned. with the first two ranked in the Top 5 in the 2024 batsmen poll.

Here yes, I meant outside of these servers

 

[janedcaffe]

just a question for doG - why does Sachin have only 39 innings vs best opposition? That number feels quite low .