10 best Australian batsmen of all time against express pace bowling?

[Harsh Thakor]

This is my list of the best Australian batsmen against express pace bowling in order of merit.Steve Smith and Bradman excluded as they hardly faced bowlers of express pace.The Don was not at his best against bodyline while Smith mainly championed fast-medium bowling.Statistics is not just the criteria.I have also considered factor of skill and domination.


1.Stan Mcabe
2.Ricky Ponting
3.Ian Chappell
4.Alan Border
5.Greg Chappell
6.Mark Waugh
7.Steve Waugh
8.Doug Walters
9.David Boon
10.Mark Taylor


Mcabe at the top because of his herculean display against bodyline bowling when Bradman was taken to task.Bradman himself stated he never saw batting of that calibre and even he could not emulate it.His 232 at Nottingham is arguably the best ever innings against genuine pace reminiscent of counter-attacking a raid of bomber planes on a military air base.

Ponting had phenomenal stats against bowlers like Shoaib Akhtar,Alan Donald and Dale Steyn.Better player on a bouncy tracks or short ball than Lara or Sachin.Often resembled the great Viv Richards mastering the pull and hook shots.Unbelievable reflexes and hand-eye coordination.

Ian Chappell was the ultimate epitome of grit and defiance batting at one down and the ultimate man for a crisis.Scored stacks of runs on overseas and home tours facing the West Indies .Overshadowed brother Greg on the fast wickets.Proved his prowess in Wsc cricket at home and away .In Michael Holding's view in the 1975-76 5-1 series victory over West Indies Ian's 449 runs were more impactful than brother Greg's aggregate of 702 runs.Imran Khan ranked Ian as the best Australian batsmen he ever saw.


Alan Border championed the cause against the best ever pace attack in the history of the game of West Indies at home in 1981-81 and overseas in 1984.The ultimate man in his day to pull a side out of the woods .Strangely not at his best against the West Indies at home.Malcolm Marshall rated Border to be the hardest batsmen to ever dismiss.

Mark Waugh could master the bounciest and fastest of tracks like in Durban in 1997 in a glorious run chase on a deteriorating surface.Outscored brother Steve in quite a few series facing genuine pace at home.1997-98 v South Africa and 1996-97 v West Indies are best examples.Significant that his average is quite close to brother Steve on the fast Australian tracks at home.


Greg Chappell statistically is at the top of the tree but was never comfortable against the disconcerting bounce .On a flat track he was better than anyone but could be found wanting against the rising delivery on a fast track.Neverthless the most prolific batsmen against the great pace attack in the Carribean.


Steve Waugh has phenomenal figures but was not as comfortable as tackling genuine pace as brother Mark.On statistics almost at the top but in pure game not as adept of skilfull against sheer pace as Ponting.Border or Ian Chapell.


Doug Walters scored tons of runs versus West Indies in 1968-69 at home and in 1972-73 away.Great skill against the bouncing ball.


David Boon was amongst the most courageous of all Aussie batsmen to set foot on a cricket field.At his best in the Carribean in 1991.


Mark Taylor could master the greatest of paceman like Wasim,Ambrose and Walsh with the skill of an architect.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

You must come here [MENTION=139595]Ab Fan[/MENTION] Also [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

 

[Stalin]

No idea about a top ten but I've never saw someone play express pace as good as Ricky Ponting.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

No idea about a top ten but I've never saw someone play express pace as good as Ricky Ponting.

Right up there.Better than even Lara or Sachin against pace?

 

[Mute Witness]

Right up there.Better than even Lara or Sachin against pace?

Oh absolutely. Although Lara and Sachin were far better against spin. Apart from Ponting, there is a case for Hayden and Gilchrist to be in the list. I dont remember any fast bowler troubling them with any degree of consistency. Hayden at the top of the order would absolutely dominate fast bowlers like few in history would. Gilly would then feast on the tired lot.

 

[Convict]

Right up there.Better than even Lara or Sachin against pace?

Ponting at his peak was better than Sachin against pace.

Lara hard to say. Lara at his best was better than any other batsman in my lifetime by some margin.

Border has to be in the top 3.

 

[Ab Fan]

You must come here [MENTION=139595]Ab Fan[/MENTION] Also [MENTION=7774]Robert[/MENTION] [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION]

Good list. Dunno much about Mcabe but Ponting was arguably the greatest batsmen I have ever seen against genuine pace. Allan, Ian and Mark Waugh are up there as well.

 

[Ahsanax]

I haven’t seen all of them play but for me its Justin Langer!

 

[Bewal Express]

Mark Waugh was pretty ropey against the real quicks. Out of the ones I have seen Ponting was the best, with Gilchrist and Hayden not far behind.

 

[The Viper]

Ponting followed by Border.

 

[Hasan123]

Ponting wins this one.

 

[Justcrazy]

Ponting at his peak was better than Sachin against pace.

Lara hard to say. Lara at his best was better than any other batsman in my lifetime by some margin.

Border has to be in the top 3.

Pointing was always better against pace.

Tendulkar was equally good against spin and Pace.

Lara was same as Tendulkar , but his defence was not as good as Tendulkar , but on a given day Lara was more attacking than both pointing and Tendulkar.

Overall lara , tendulkar , Pointing that is the order according to me.

 

[Chrish]

Bradman averaged 50+ in bodyline series where he played tennis shots and scored faster than normal while avoiding any injuries. Mcabe played that one star inning of 187 but otherwise was a complete failure.

 

[Last Monetarist]

Mcabe at the top because of his herculean display against bodyline bowling when Bradman was taken to task.Bradman himself stated he never saw batting of that calibre and even he could not emulate it. His 232 at Nottingham is arguably the best ever innings against genuine pace reminiscent of counter-attacking a raid of bomber planes on a military air base.

Ok, this is just pure fiction. The England bowling attack was Ken Farnes, Wally Hammond, Reg Sinfield (off-spinner), Doug Wright (leg-break googly), and Hedley Verity (slow left-arm). Farnes is the only one in that list who can plausibly claim to be described as a fast bowler, but unfortunately due to his early demise during the war, there is not a lot of categorical proof whether he was even as quick as Larwood or Voce. It's outrageous why you pay such store to this innings against a club grade attack. It's just a naive fairy tale. [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Ok, this is just pure fiction. The England bowling attack was Ken Farnes, Wally Hammond, Reg Sinfield (off-spinner), Doug Wright (leg-break googly), and Hedley Verity (slow left-arm). Farnes is the only one in that list who can plausibly claim to be described as a fast bowler, but unfortunately due to his early demise during the war, there is not a lot of categorical proof whether he was even as quick as Larwood or Voce. It's outrageous why you pay such store to this innings against a club grade attack. It's just a naive fairy tale. [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

What about the other batsmen mentioned in my list?Any preference?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Ok, this is just pure fiction. The England bowling attack was Ken Farnes, Wally Hammond, Reg Sinfield (off-spinner), Doug Wright (leg-break googly), and Hedley Verity (slow left-arm). Farnes is the only one in that list who can plausibly claim to be described as a fast bowler, but unfortunately due to his early demise during the war, there is not a lot of categorical proof whether he was even as quick as Larwood or Voce. It's outrageous why you pay such store to this innings against a club grade attack. It's just a naive fairy tale. [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

Was not Mcabe prolific against body line bowling like no one else?

 

[MMHS]

If you consider Stan McCabe, then Sir Don must have to be among top few - that body line series was his worst by some margin ...and he averaged 56!!!!!! Trumper, Clem Hill, Charles McCartney, Woodfool, Ponsford, Morris, Hasset & Colin McDonald were also good against pace; Lawry and Simpson as well. I'll keep this for players I have seen, that's debuted after or around 1970s

The best has to be Greg Chappell - absolutely no doubt in my mind. He dominated WIN, WSC and he was all class against pace. Border & Waugh might be more gutsy but no one comes near to Greg in elegance against pace.

Top 10 is a bit difficult to rank, my top 3 will be Greg, Ponting, and Ian. Rest are too close to call - some were good in defense, some were courageous while someone like Hooks could hit it really hard. Without going to stats, if it's about mastering absolute raw pace, my 4th will be Kim Hughes at his prime - that 100* at MCG is probably the best ever innings against hostile pace.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

If you consider Stan McCabe, then Sir Don must have to be among top few - that body line series was his worst by some margin ...and he averaged 56!!!!!! Trumper, Clem Hill, Charles McCartney, Woodfool, Ponsford, Morris, Hasset & Colin McDonald were also good against pace; Lawry and Simpson as well. I'll keep this for players I have seen, that's debuted after or around 1970s

The best has to be Greg Chappell - absolutely no doubt in my mind. He dominated WIN, WSC and he was all class against pace. Border & Waugh might be more gutsy but no one comes near to Greg in elegance against pace.

Top 10 is a bit difficult to rank, my top 3 will be Greg, Ponting, and Ian. Rest are too close to call - some were good in defense, some were courageous while someone like Hooks could hit it really hard. Without going to stats, if it's about mastering absolute raw pace, my 4th will be Kim Hughes at his prime - that 100* at MCG is probably the best ever innings against hostile pace.

Great evaluation.Stil was not Greg Chappell vulnerable to the short rising ball as shown against WestI Indies in the 1980s.?I feel Ian Chappell and Ponting negotiated the rising ball better. Remember how highly Holding,Imran and Sobers rated Ian Chappell.Was not Mark Waugh right up there?

 

[Reverse Sweep]

Ponting was magnificent against pace, but he was also Shane Bond's bunny in ODIs.

 

[Tusker]

Ok, this is just pure fiction. The England bowling attack was Ken Farnes, Wally Hammond, Reg Sinfield (off-spinner), Doug Wright (leg-break googly), and Hedley Verity (slow left-arm). Farnes is the only one in that list who can plausibly claim to be described as a fast bowler, but unfortunately due to his early demise during the war, there is not a lot of categorical proof whether he was even as quick as Larwood or Voce. It's outrageous why you pay such store to this innings against a club grade attack. It's just a naive fairy tale. [MENTION=134300]Tusker[/MENTION]

A vast majority of his posts are Pure fiction of 24 Carat grade. I stopped taking him seriously a long long time ago because he is so allergic to facts it is unbelievable .

But we have discussed the Stan McCabe 232 innings before in this thread here --> http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...st-200-innings-in-the-history-of-Test-cricket

Notice how he never responded to any of the facts presented there most importantly that it was a 4 day match and that they bowled 502.3 overs in those 4 days giving us an avg of nearly 126 overs per day making it amateur cricket.

But I face a lot of premium on verifiable facts and there is no better exhibition of playing fast bowling than this --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdBae8juAkg

I know this list is for Aussie batsman only but yet to see such high quality stroke play against proper express bowling. That video is probably the best cricket video out there on YT, Tendulkar vs Brett Lee at his fastest, Tony Greig commentating and Benaud's golden words : "For those who are watching at home make sure you get that on your video tape for its worth looking at forever more". And that background sound track of Queen ( I want to break free ). Fantastic work by the uploader ... one of my fav goto feel good video clips.

The next best is Tendulkar vs Shoaib in the 2003 WC match vs Pakistan ... again epic shot making.

 

[Robert]

Marshall said it was Border and that’s good enough for me.

Otherwise I would put Steve Waugh up there - his batting finally broke WI’s invincible home record.

Love the description of Stan McCabe as an ack-ack battery guarding the air base from the Bodyline bomber raid.

 

[umarf76]

Since i am old school I have a different list. This is list is not in order.

1. Mohinder Amarnath
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Majid Khan
4. Wasim Raja
5. Allan Lamb
6. Robin Smith
7. Kim Hughes
8. Viv Richard (should be number 1)
9. Richie Richardson
10. Roy Fredricks
11. Ricky Ponting.
12. Inzamam ul Haq
13. Martin Crowe
14. Gordon Greenidge
15. Stan McCabe

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Since i am old school I have a different list. This is list is not in order.

1. Mohinder Amarnath
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Majid Khan
4. Wasim Raja
5. Allan Lamb
6. Robin Smith
7. Kim Hughes
8. Viv Richard (should be number 1)
9. Richie Richardson
10. Roy Fredricks
11. Ricky Ponting.
12. Inzamam ul Haq
13. Martin Crowe
14. Gordon Greenidge
15. Stan McCabe

Australian batsmen here,Anyway great list.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Since i am old school I have a different list. This is list is not in order.

1. Mohinder Amarnath
2. Sunil Gavaskar
3. Majid Khan
4. Wasim Raja
5. Allan Lamb
6. Robin Smith
7. Kim Hughes
8. Viv Richard (should be number 1)
9. Richie Richardson
10. Roy Fredricks
11. Ricky Ponting.
12. Inzamam ul Haq
13. Martin Crowe
14. Gordon Greenidge
15. Stan McCabe

Marshall said it was Border and that’s good enough for me.

Otherwise I would put Steve Waugh up there - his batting finally broke WI’s invincible home record.

Love the description of Stan McCabe as an ack-ack battery guarding the air base from the Bodyline bomber raid.

Why not Ricky Ponting?Outstanding record against pace.Also Chappell brothers?

 

[Ashraful_Rox]

1) Ricky Ponting
2) Steve Waugh
3) Mark Taylor
4) Mark Waugh
5) Justin Langer
6) Michael Clarke
7) Mathew Hayden (He used to walk down to pacers - Fearsome)
8) Steve Smith
9) David Warner
10) Adam Gilchrist

 

[Last Monetarist]

What about the other batsmen mentioned in my list?Any preference?

I am more or less aligned with your rating from Ponting down to Boon. Not sure whether Taylor was a great player of express fast bowling though, I'd personally have Hayden or Langer in there instead.

 

[Last Monetarist]

A vast majority of his posts are Pure fiction of 24 Carat grade. I stopped taking him seriously a long long time ago because he is so allergic to facts it is unbelievable .

But we have discussed the Stan McCabe 232 innings before in this thread here --> http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...st-200-innings-in-the-history-of-Test-cricket

Notice how he never responded to any of the facts presented there most importantly that it was a 4 day match and that they bowled 502.3 overs in those 4 days giving us an avg of nearly 126 overs per day making it amateur cricket.

But I face a lot of premium on verifiable facts and there is no better exhibition of playing fast bowling than this --> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdBae8juAkg

I know this list is for Aussie batsman only but yet to see such high quality stroke play against proper express bowling. That video is probably the best cricket video out there on YT, Tendulkar vs Brett Lee at his fastest, Tony Greig commentating and Benaud's golden words : "For those who are watching at home make sure you get that on your video tape for its worth looking at forever more". And that background sound track of Queen ( I want to break free ). Fantastic work by the uploader ... one of my fav goto feel good video clips.

The next best is Tendulkar vs Shoaib in the 2003 WC match vs Pakistan ... again epic shot making.

I had forgotten that he never responded to our retorts in that other thread, yet he keeps repeating this specious claim about McCabe being better than anyone else. I agree about Tendulkar against Lee or Shoaib, but I would rank his batting against Steyn in 2010-11 as his finest against fast bowling.

 

[QalandarFan]

Ponting's gotta be right up there one of my favorite batsman I have ever watched probably second favorite just behind AB, he was a beast against pace, and oh boy don't even get me started on his pull/hook shots!

 

[umarf76]

From what i know, Ian Chappell was more gutsy as opposed to a great player of pace. He would play the hook shot no matter what. Greg Chappell was not so great against pace. Langer also was a guy who would take the hits but would not dominate. I would say Stan McCabe, Bradman, Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith are the best pace players in history of Australian cricket.

 

[umarf76]

Australian batsmen here,Anyway great list.

Sorry I realised it later. My favourite was Richie Richardson. Incredible bat speed - I would say faster than Richards. Could hook anyone in front of square.

 

[Robert]

Why not Ricky Ponting?Outstanding record against pace.Also Chappell brothers?

Was talking from what I saw. Never saw the Chappells play.

Ponting only turned into a run machine after Donald, Ambrose, Walsh, W&W retired so not much good pace for him to fight.

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&#55356;&#57295; 13,386 international runs with 26 centuries<br>&#55356;&#57286; 1987 Cricket World Cup Final Player of the Match<br>&#55356;&#57103; ICC Match Referee<br><br>Happy birthday to David Boon &#55356;&#57218; <a href="https://t.co/12OKf61z8y">pic.twitter.com/12OKf61z8y</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ICC/status/1476042075883909123?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Manunited18]

Remember Ricky Ponting interview about the quickest bowling he faced. He referred to Akhter at Perth 1999-2000 As the quickest he ever faced and pointing out it was very uncomfortable!