Finally I have finished my ratings for Test Batsmen. I have been working on different formulas for over seven years, and this version is the one I am most happy with, although I would have liked to see Sobers in the top 10.
Good effort S_F. Worth the effort even if the final results can't ever be definitive.
I assume you have a qualification of 20 tests and so no Ranji or Merchant.
The pre WW1 players are obviously very hard to fit into this kind of exersize. WG Grace was certainly one of thebest batsmen ever but didn't play test matches during his prime. Trumper and Hill seem way too low.
Tom Hayward and Arthur Shrewsbury are also regarded as two of the best batsmen of all time but don't rate in the top 100.
I'm also suprised Barrington would come out below Hayden given the big difference in averages.
I have to agree with JGK that Mohammed Yousuf in the top 10 is difficult to justify.
Tubby Taylor would be lucky to be in the top 50 Australian bats IMO - let alone the top 100 all time.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
I suppose every suggested inclusion must cause someone to be excluded but some prominent missing names are Zaheer Abbas, Bobby Abel and Achie Maclaren.
I notice Barry Richards is in the list so Ranji and Merchant should be there.
Also, i keep scanning the list but can't see Stan McCabe in there.
Originally posted by Pontoon: I think Tubby would make the Top 50 Australians. Let's be serious, Leo.
Probably a bit OTT, but he's got no place on a list like this.
A quick run-down of names has 25-30 clearly ahead of him in my book. I'm sure there are others. But I suppose he would make the top 50.
Looking at the lower end of the list - Taylor is in front of Bill Lawry and Bill Ponsford. That is just plain silly in my book.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
Amiss above Ian Chappell ... yeah right. Ian Chappell was and is a prize toss-bag, but he's probably still a better batsman than Amiss was at his absolute peak.
Steve Waugh is way too high, too. And that's from a fan.
Originally posted by Pontoon: Why should grace, style etc be a criteria. Is it not their records that is the sole determining factor.
Depends on what you enjoy about the game i suppose.
It seems to me though that if you are putting together a list like S_F's then you can make whatever rules you like.
Trouble is i'm not sure how aesthetics could be factored in. Some sort of score like in gymnastics, i suppose, but as soon as you do that it undermines the whole concept of art IMO.
I cannot believe Vawn, Thorpe, Trescothick, Jones, Martyn, Hussey (bit iffy at this stage, Jimmy Adams once averaged over 85 too) Younis Khan, Taylor, Strauss are in the Top 100.
This thread gives me an idea - would it be interesting to have some threads on the best batsmen each country has produced, i.e. 'top 10(20?) England batsmen', 'top 10 Australian batsmen'. Anyone else interested?
I'll start one off and see if there are any takers.
----------------------- 'John and Kevin offered to settle their differences in the ring, but were forced to backflip after it became clear no-one wanted to see either of them in boxer shorts'
Originally posted by Leo: This thread gives me an idea - would it be interesting to have some threads on the best batsmen each country has produced, i.e. 'top 10(20?) England batsmen', 'top 10 Australian batsmen'. Anyone else interested?
I'll start one off and see if there are any takers.
