Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
- Runs
- 3,519
- Post of the Week
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Although not the most attractive,entertaining or dominating of batsmen Alan Border showed phenomenal consistency not equalled by any batsmen in the world in the 1980's.True he may not have won many matches but could overshadow everyone in ressurecting a team from the grave.Few batsmen ever surpassed Border's grit and determination who often resembled a wounded solidier fighting to the last straw.Viv Richards could turn the complexion of agame much more,Gavaskar was technicallly better,Daviod Gower was far more attractive and artistic but when the chips were down only Javed Miandad could compare with Border.Border championed the team's cause being outstandingly prolific from the bouncy West Indian tracks.,the seaming English conditions and the turning wickets on the sub-continent.Averaging 13.22 in Pakistan in 1980.Averaging over 59 and 66 in England in 1981 and 1985 and averaging over 74 in the Carribaen in 1984 is a testimony to this.Border averaged 12 more runs overseas than at home.I can never forget how Border saved a sinking ship at Trinidad in 1984 when an Australian defeat looked imminent and his batting with a broken finger championing a losing cause when scoring an unbeaten 123 at Old Trafford in 1981.
Javed Miandad overseas record does not match Border's apart from New Zealand.However it was Miandad who was often the greater scourge in the eyue of oponents who niggled them more than any batsmen.Miandad was craftier than Border and was better in keeping the scoreboard moving.Javed was also playing for a consideably better team by the mid 1980's when Australian cricket had reached it's lowest ebb.Miandad also played an important role in Pakistan winning at Georgetown in 1988 and thus sharing the series and the title of unofficial world test champions with West Indies.From mid 1987 when he scored 260 at the Oval to early 1989 in New Zealand when he scored another double hundred Miandad was the best batsmen in the world.In the Carribean he scored 2 centuries and took Pakistan within a doorstep of a famous series victory at Trinidad.
In mid 1980's Gordon Greenidge for a while was the best batsmen in the world reminsicent of a black Viv Richards in England in 1984 and scoring 3 double centuries in the decade.His batting looked an epitome of classical perfection combining devastating agression and power with the most compact technical skill and craft.
Dilip Vengsarkar from mid 1986-early 1988 averaged above 86 and was statistically the best batsmen in the world .He averaged around 100 in England in 1986 with 2 classic centuries and also scored many Centuries against the top Carribean pace battery at home in 1983-84 and 1987-88.Also had a high home average against Pakistan in 1986-87 and Australia in 1986.In this period his batting was in the Viv Richards class.
David Gower gave blemishes of his genius in the 1985 Ase when compiling 732 runs and revealed his golden touch in the 3rd tset at Faisalabad v Pakistan in 1984 and when scoring an unbeaten 154 at Antigua in 1981 against the greatest pace attack.Sadly fell out on consistency.
Martin Crowe revealed his great batting prowess resembling greats like Greg Chappell.
Viv Richards although dominating often had lapses of inconsistency,similar to Sunil Gavaskar.Gavaskar retired in 1987 while Viv Richards made a strong comeback to top form as a skipper.I feel both were better batsmen in the 1970's in test cricket.
Clive Lloyd was an epitome of consistency from 1980 but retired in early 1985,so rated lower.Plyed some truly great inings in 1981 v England and a tKolkata in 1983-84.More consistent than even Viv Richards from 1980-1984 averaging over 50 in his last 3 series and last 2 series n Australia.
Salim Malik was an outstanding match-winner at his best with a huge range of strokes while Mohammad Azharuddin's grace reached the depths of divinty.Malik was often great in a crisis while Azhar could turn a game's complexion in no time.Both gave shades of truly great batsmen and match-winners.On his day Ian Botham was a batting maverick who made impact of thunder n a cricket field.
Graham Gooch in flashes was a champion as great as anyone but lost 3 years from 1992-85.At his best he played pace bowling better than any opening batsmen like in the Carribean in 1981.
Lastly although just for a short while,Mohinder Amarnath played great pace bowling better than any batsmen ever when confronting the best ever pace attack in the Carribean in 1983 and Pakistan spearhead by Imran Khan in 1982-83.He compiled 598 runs at average of 66 in West Indies and 584 runs at 73 average in Pakistan which was remarkable.When the chips were down Amarnath championed India's cause more than anyone.Also consitent in Australai in 1985-86 scoring 138 at Adelaide.
To me adding O.D.I.performances Viv Richards may rate ahead and Javed Miandad would be the best considering his century in 1986 Australasia cup and string of 7 consecutive fifties sin 1987.However considering only test cricket Alan Border would get my vote.Excluded Greg Chappell and Zaheer Abbas as they retired from 1984.
My order of merit
1.Alan Border
2.Javed Miandad
3.Gordon Greenidge
4.Viv Richards
5.Dilip Vengsarkar
6.Sunil Gavaskar
7.Mohinder Amarnath
8.David Gower
9.Graham Gooch
10.Martin Crowe
11.Clive Lloyd
12.Richie Richardson
13.Desmond Haynes
14.Mohammad Azharuddin
15.Salim Malik
Break-up of Allan Border's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Till 1982 49 3320 45.47 9/ 19
1983 to 1989 62 5168 60.09 14/ 27
1990 onwards 45 2686 43.32 4/ 17
Career 156 11,174 50.56 27/ 63
During that seven-year peak, Border was arguably the best batsman in the world - he scored the most Test runs during this period, and among batsmen who scored 3000 runs, only Javed Miandad had a higher average.
Border's contribution during that period was even more critical because unlike in the last two decades, Australia didn't have an embarrassment of batting riches then: only three other batsmen scored more than 2000 Test runs over those seven years, of whom Geoff Marsh averaged less than 35. Things would soon get better with the advent of the Waugh brothers and Mark Taylor, but for much of that seven-year period Border didn't have a lot of batting support to bank on. He scored almost 17% of all Australian runs in this time, while David Boon, the next best, scored only about 10%.
The other aspect that stands out about the table below is the number of batsmen who averaged more than 50. There were only three - Dilip Vengsarkar was the third - which is a huge contrast from today's times. Martin Crowe, Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards were all among those who averaged in the mid-to-late 40s during this period, which further accentuates Border's performance.
Best Test batsmen between 1983 and 1989 (Qual: 3000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Javed Miandad 53 4247 61.55 14/ 16
Allan Border 62 5168 60.09 14/ 27
Dilip Vengsarkar 51 3452 52.30 11/ 16
Gordon Greenidge 60 4257 48.37 12/ 15
Richie Richardson 45 3320 48.11 10/ 13
Martin Crowe 42 3107 47.80 10/ 11
Sunil Gavaskar 44 3038 46.03 9/ 14
Viv Richards 61 3720 45.92 11/ 20
Another unusual aspect of Border's career was his tendency to do much better overseas than at home. In the 86 Tests he played in Australia, he averaged 45.94; however, in the 70 matches he played overseas, Border's average was an excellent 56.57. He scored more hundreds away than at home, even though he played 16 more Tests in Australia than he did away. (Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, averages 60.08 at home and 48.44 away.)
Apart from South Africa, where he played only three Tests towards the very end of his career, Border averaged more than 48 in each of the countries he played in. He was most prolific in England, averaging 65.06 in 25 matches. Quite surprisingly, his average at home against England was only 47.29. The stats were similar against West Indies - in 21 Tests at home against them he averaged a paltry 33.94, but in 10 Tests in the West Indies, his average rose to 53.06. That included arguably his best performance in a Test match, when he remained unbeaten in both innings in Port-of-Spain, scoring 98 and 100 in a match where no other Australian managed a half-century in either innings.
Overall, Border remains one of the finest overseas batsmen in the last 50 years. Among plaers who've scored at least 3000 overseas runs since 1960, only two - Ken Barrington and Rahul Dravid - have a higher average away from home, which is quite a telling statement considering some of the overseas venues have become much easier for run-scoring now than during Border's time.
Javed Miandad overseas record does not match Border's apart from New Zealand.However it was Miandad who was often the greater scourge in the eyue of oponents who niggled them more than any batsmen.Miandad was craftier than Border and was better in keeping the scoreboard moving.Javed was also playing for a consideably better team by the mid 1980's when Australian cricket had reached it's lowest ebb.Miandad also played an important role in Pakistan winning at Georgetown in 1988 and thus sharing the series and the title of unofficial world test champions with West Indies.From mid 1987 when he scored 260 at the Oval to early 1989 in New Zealand when he scored another double hundred Miandad was the best batsmen in the world.In the Carribean he scored 2 centuries and took Pakistan within a doorstep of a famous series victory at Trinidad.
In mid 1980's Gordon Greenidge for a while was the best batsmen in the world reminsicent of a black Viv Richards in England in 1984 and scoring 3 double centuries in the decade.His batting looked an epitome of classical perfection combining devastating agression and power with the most compact technical skill and craft.
Dilip Vengsarkar from mid 1986-early 1988 averaged above 86 and was statistically the best batsmen in the world .He averaged around 100 in England in 1986 with 2 classic centuries and also scored many Centuries against the top Carribean pace battery at home in 1983-84 and 1987-88.Also had a high home average against Pakistan in 1986-87 and Australia in 1986.In this period his batting was in the Viv Richards class.
David Gower gave blemishes of his genius in the 1985 Ase when compiling 732 runs and revealed his golden touch in the 3rd tset at Faisalabad v Pakistan in 1984 and when scoring an unbeaten 154 at Antigua in 1981 against the greatest pace attack.Sadly fell out on consistency.
Martin Crowe revealed his great batting prowess resembling greats like Greg Chappell.
Viv Richards although dominating often had lapses of inconsistency,similar to Sunil Gavaskar.Gavaskar retired in 1987 while Viv Richards made a strong comeback to top form as a skipper.I feel both were better batsmen in the 1970's in test cricket.
Clive Lloyd was an epitome of consistency from 1980 but retired in early 1985,so rated lower.Plyed some truly great inings in 1981 v England and a tKolkata in 1983-84.More consistent than even Viv Richards from 1980-1984 averaging over 50 in his last 3 series and last 2 series n Australia.
Salim Malik was an outstanding match-winner at his best with a huge range of strokes while Mohammad Azharuddin's grace reached the depths of divinty.Malik was often great in a crisis while Azhar could turn a game's complexion in no time.Both gave shades of truly great batsmen and match-winners.On his day Ian Botham was a batting maverick who made impact of thunder n a cricket field.
Graham Gooch in flashes was a champion as great as anyone but lost 3 years from 1992-85.At his best he played pace bowling better than any opening batsmen like in the Carribean in 1981.
Lastly although just for a short while,Mohinder Amarnath played great pace bowling better than any batsmen ever when confronting the best ever pace attack in the Carribean in 1983 and Pakistan spearhead by Imran Khan in 1982-83.He compiled 598 runs at average of 66 in West Indies and 584 runs at 73 average in Pakistan which was remarkable.When the chips were down Amarnath championed India's cause more than anyone.Also consitent in Australai in 1985-86 scoring 138 at Adelaide.
To me adding O.D.I.performances Viv Richards may rate ahead and Javed Miandad would be the best considering his century in 1986 Australasia cup and string of 7 consecutive fifties sin 1987.However considering only test cricket Alan Border would get my vote.Excluded Greg Chappell and Zaheer Abbas as they retired from 1984.
My order of merit
1.Alan Border
2.Javed Miandad
3.Gordon Greenidge
4.Viv Richards
5.Dilip Vengsarkar
6.Sunil Gavaskar
7.Mohinder Amarnath
8.David Gower
9.Graham Gooch
10.Martin Crowe
11.Clive Lloyd
12.Richie Richardson
13.Desmond Haynes
14.Mohammad Azharuddin
15.Salim Malik
Break-up of Allan Border's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Till 1982 49 3320 45.47 9/ 19
1983 to 1989 62 5168 60.09 14/ 27
1990 onwards 45 2686 43.32 4/ 17
Career 156 11,174 50.56 27/ 63
During that seven-year peak, Border was arguably the best batsman in the world - he scored the most Test runs during this period, and among batsmen who scored 3000 runs, only Javed Miandad had a higher average.
Border's contribution during that period was even more critical because unlike in the last two decades, Australia didn't have an embarrassment of batting riches then: only three other batsmen scored more than 2000 Test runs over those seven years, of whom Geoff Marsh averaged less than 35. Things would soon get better with the advent of the Waugh brothers and Mark Taylor, but for much of that seven-year period Border didn't have a lot of batting support to bank on. He scored almost 17% of all Australian runs in this time, while David Boon, the next best, scored only about 10%.
The other aspect that stands out about the table below is the number of batsmen who averaged more than 50. There were only three - Dilip Vengsarkar was the third - which is a huge contrast from today's times. Martin Crowe, Sunil Gavaskar and Viv Richards were all among those who averaged in the mid-to-late 40s during this period, which further accentuates Border's performance.
Best Test batsmen between 1983 and 1989 (Qual: 3000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Javed Miandad 53 4247 61.55 14/ 16
Allan Border 62 5168 60.09 14/ 27
Dilip Vengsarkar 51 3452 52.30 11/ 16
Gordon Greenidge 60 4257 48.37 12/ 15
Richie Richardson 45 3320 48.11 10/ 13
Martin Crowe 42 3107 47.80 10/ 11
Sunil Gavaskar 44 3038 46.03 9/ 14
Viv Richards 61 3720 45.92 11/ 20
Another unusual aspect of Border's career was his tendency to do much better overseas than at home. In the 86 Tests he played in Australia, he averaged 45.94; however, in the 70 matches he played overseas, Border's average was an excellent 56.57. He scored more hundreds away than at home, even though he played 16 more Tests in Australia than he did away. (Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, averages 60.08 at home and 48.44 away.)
Apart from South Africa, where he played only three Tests towards the very end of his career, Border averaged more than 48 in each of the countries he played in. He was most prolific in England, averaging 65.06 in 25 matches. Quite surprisingly, his average at home against England was only 47.29. The stats were similar against West Indies - in 21 Tests at home against them he averaged a paltry 33.94, but in 10 Tests in the West Indies, his average rose to 53.06. That included arguably his best performance in a Test match, when he remained unbeaten in both innings in Port-of-Spain, scoring 98 and 100 in a match where no other Australian managed a half-century in either innings.
Overall, Border remains one of the finest overseas batsmen in the last 50 years. Among plaers who've scored at least 3000 overseas runs since 1960, only two - Ken Barrington and Rahul Dravid - have a higher average away from home, which is quite a telling statement considering some of the overseas venues have become much easier for run-scoring now than during Border's time.
