Harsh Thakor
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This is a very subjective assesment but ultimately I wish to rank in order of merit my top batsmen in a match-winning cause in test cricket.I made a list in 2013 but now have made alterations.True stats in matches won are often misleading as it depends on support from team -mates and even playing for champion team can lead to comparatively lower record in wins.
Statistically Viv Richards ranks well below the best as match winner be it in average comparative with that in drawn games or in ratio of match-winning centuries.In that regard Don Bradman,Steve Waugh,Inzmam Ul Haq,Jack Hobbs or Gary Sobers are far head.However Viv's contemporaries were also superstars like Greenidge,Lloyd,Haynes.etc and Viv was not at his best when West Indian cricket was at it's absolute peak from 1983-85.In his peak from 1976-81 Viv was at his peak and adding WSC supertest scores would have a better average in wins.Viv's centuries won 2 supertests in WSC in 1977-78 while he also won games in Multan in 1980 scoring 120,scored a match-winning 108 not out in chase at Delhi in 1988,score a match-wining 291 at the Oval in 1976 and his 76 and 74 at Adelaide in 1979-80 played major role in West Indies winning the test and winning the Frank Worrel trophy for the 1st time on Australian soil.Gordon Greenidge had better stats in won games in terms of ratio of centuries and average but was at his best in Clive Lloyd's 1983-85 team.Still if I wanted a batsmen in my team to win game I would want Viv more than anyone,who could create the impact of bomber raiding an airbase and make great fast bowlers look like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse.Viv's eyes simply told the story and he took agression and domination in sport to it's highest zenith.No batsmen ever treated great bowling with such disdain.like Viv who posessed a better strike rate than any batsmen ever,considering his era.The true statistical test for Viv as a match-winner would have been playing in an era where there were many more results like in the 1990's like Lara,Sachin and Inzy,but for a formidable team.Greg Chappell has a better average in test wins than Viv and so do Rohan Kanhai and Clive Lloyd.Don Bradman was the greatest ever batsmen bit still in my book would not make the explosive impact of Sir Viv ;who marched onto the field creating the regal presence of an emperor.Viv tearing Lillee apart was the ultimate sight in cricket.Neverthless the Don is only a whisker behind with his staggering statistical record which is simply on another pedestal.
Considering their great average in wins primarily overseas I place Jack Hobbs and Walter Hammond close to the very top..Hobbs won games on wet pitches unlike Bradman on grounds like Melbourne .In his era I rate Adam Gilchrist as the ultimate match-winner who could create a blitzkreig and turn the complexion of game 180 degrees.Inzamam Ul Haq was the ultimate craftsmen in carving out victories while Steve Waugh took resilience to it's highest zenith making a phenomenal contribution in team wins.Steve's batting in 1995 enabled Australia to claim the unofficial world test championship in 1995 in West Indies and retain it in South Africa in 1997.Scaling his average percentage score and the strength of his team Lara would have joint the best of match-winners.Gary Sobers was more mercurail than nay batsmen of his time and his explosive power literally ruled the cricket field.Played some of the best ever knocks in games won,particularly when retrieving a sinking ship.Virendra Sehwag often played like a Viv Richards of his day.Had he had support in his peak era Tendulkar would have won many more matches.However he lacked the impetus to the give the final knockout punch,particularly in the 4th innings.In that light V.V.S.Laxman was a champion.Younus Khanin the modern era could carry a team's cause single-handedly and turn the tables like no other batsmen,Rahul Dravid was a wall ,but played innings more in tune with a given situation than even Lara or Tendulkar.Dravid won India some of it's most famous test wins in Australia,Pakistan and West Indies.From 2002-2007 Dravid overshadowed Tendulkar as match-winner.Rohan Kanhai had a remarkable average in wins and could turn game with his scintillating strokeplay.Ricky Ponting was the statistical champion of his era but won most tests at home and had the advantage of playing for champion team throughout.
In terms of average in winning cause many great batsmen are better than Lara as shown below.Even Gary Sobers and Greg Chappel have considerably higher averages in wins but have not scored over 4000 run sin wins.Sobers averaged 77.5,while Chappell averaged 70.5.Ricky Ponting averages 59.5 but scored 30 centuries in wins.
This is my ultimate list of best match-winning batsmen in test cricket in order of merit.
1.Viv Richards-Ultimate master blaster who resembled an emperor at the crease .Could have broken all the batting records if he wished .Destroyed great bowlers like a tiger tearing his prey.No batsmen was ever more intimidating or treated a cricket ball as mercilessly.At his best from 1976-81 ,particularly in WSC supertests in 1977-78 when he aggregated 862 runs .
2.Don Bradman -staggering stats speak for themselves who was literally a machine. In terms of record stood on another street.
3.Jack Hobbs-the wet pitch master who was like an architect and surgeon moulded into one,wining England famous victories at home and away.At Melbourne in 1926 and the Oval in 1928-29 displayed mastery at it's highset zenith in a wining cause.
4.Walter Hammond-Equivalent of Viv Richards of his day.Unfortunate to play in same era as Bradman but still made a phenomenal impact.
5.Inzamam Ul-Haq-Not technically the best or the most talented but could shape the destiny of innings better attn even Lara or Tendulkar in wins.A master craftsman and arguably the best batsmen against genuine pace in his era.A champin with the tail who could rally every batsmen around him.
6.Adam Gilchrist-created the impact of a dynamite at his best and could ressurect a team from the grave to win games in full flow more than any batsmen.No cricketer of his era so single-handedly turned games.
7.Steve Waugh-Displayed temperament and resilience in sport at it's highest zenith,matering any kind of conditions.Responsible for taking Australia to the status of unofficial test champin sfrom 1995-97 more than anyone else.
8.Brian Lara-controversial but no batsmen had a higher average percentage score or could so single-handedly carry the mantle of a weak batting side as Lara.In the 1999 Frank Worrel Trophy Lara reversed the plot more than any great batsmen ever.I doubt Viv or Bradman have surpassed that.Above all Lara never curbed his stroke-making and was more dominant after scoring a century.No batsmen had abetter penchant for mammoth scores or equalled Lara's creative genius in his era.No batsmen ever played the cause of the lone crusader in such a mercurial fashion.
9.Barry Richards-in a proper career would have joined Viv.Closest to the perfect batting machine who could imperiously dominate bowling attacks.His match winning knocks of 207 and 125 not out in Kerry Packer World Series Cricket prove his great capability as match winner .Also won games v Australia in 1969-70 at home.Would have surpassed any opening batsmen as a match-winner if he had a full career.Could well be a 1st choice above even Hobbs,Hutton or Gavaskar in an all-time xl as he could set up the perfcet launching pad.
10.Virendra Sehwag-Not supported by stats but still to me at his peak India's best match-winner .Could literally set a stadium on fire like no batsmen of his time bar Gilchrist and had a great penchant for mammoth scores than nay batsmen ,bar Brian Lara.Viru to me on his day could turn game on the worst of wickets like he did at Kolkata v England in 2008.To me the Viv Richards of his day,that too as an opener.
11..Gary Sobers-Played some of cricket's gem s in reviving a sinking ship to win tests like when scoring 254 at Melbourne in 1972 and 163 at Lords in 1966.Took cricketing domination to it's highest intensity blending technical skill
with power.
12.Graeme Pollock-In a full career would possibly have surpassed Sobers or maybe Lara as a match-winner..Neverthless played some great innings wins like in England in 1965 and against Australia in 1969-70.
13.Rohan Kanhai-no batsmen ever posessed more prowess who at his best was better than even Gary Sobers.Took art of batting to a higher dimension.Averaged over 58 in games won.Best innings in Australia in 1960-61 and 1972 may not have been equalled by Lara or Viv,let alone surpassed.
14.Greg Chappell-Arguably the most complete batsmen of his time who averaged over 72 in winning causes if you ad games in WSC Supertests and against Rest of the World in 1972.Won tests against powerful teams like West Indies in 1975-76 averaging 117 including match-winning 182 not out at Sydney.His 131 at Lords in 1972,150 in 3rd supertest at Trinidad and 246 not out out v World xi in 1977-78 won Australia famous victories.Statistically the best batting match-winner of his era but still morally below Viv Richards.
15.Sachin Tendulkar-If he had support could have won games like Bradman,Viv or Hobbs but at his peak played the role of alone crusader.Not so impressive in 4th innings and often did not at his best in delivering final knockout punch.When Indian period reached a golden era from 2004 Sachin was not at his best being overshadowed by Dravid,Sehwag and Laxman.However he ressurected like a Muhammad Ali to become the best batsmen again and arguably the best ever batsmen.
16.Everton Weekes- played more like Bradman arguably than anyone taking domination in batting to a superlative zenith.No West Indian batsmen looked more like a cricketing machine.Would have been rtaed higher if he had been proific in Australia like Sobers and Kanhai,particularly;y at their best.
17.Ricky Ponting-On stats the best match-winner with Bradman,Inzamam and Steve Waugh but had the advantage of playing for a champion team.Gave some of batting's best exhibitions in winning causes,neverthless.
18.George Headley-a short career but still has a phenomenal average of over 95 in test wins.Won famous wins against England at home in 1929-30 and 1934-35.The ultimate crusader who overshadowed Bradman on wet wickets.
19.Younis Khan-displayed determination at it's highest watermark and turned the face of a demoralized Pak team like few great batsmen have ever revealed.
20.Len Hutton -a master in any conditions who won famous victories in Australia and West Indies with a staggering average.Generally laborious but statistically a great match-winner .
21.Neil Harvey-A class act on his day who could turn the tide of game like few batsmen ever could do.Scored 151 not ut out out of 336 on a broken wicket in a 4th innings in South Africa to take Australia home to a famous win.
22.Gundappa Vishwanath-At his best the best Indian match-winner with Sehwag.No Asian batsmen surpased Vishy's creative genius or brilliance on bad wickets.He won famous victories for India against West Indies in 1974-75 in Kolkata and Madras , in Trinidad in 1975-76 and against in Madras in 1978-79 as well as in Melbourne v Australia in 1980-81.Vishy's best centuries revived a sinking ship to win games ,ressurecting India from the most difficult situations.Vishy won more tests than Gavaskar .
23.Kumar Sangakkara-Phenomenal contribution in shaping famous wins for Sri Lanka.Came very close to pulling of a Houdini act in a staggering run chase in Australia.Superbly blended power with technical skill and could single-handedly carry his team's cause on his shoulders.
24.V.V.S.Laxman-Won India some of it's most famous victories in modern times particularly in partnership.His 281 at Kolkata ressurected India from the grave to win game like no batsmen has ever done .The best batsmen of his era in a 4th innings chase,twice pulling off sensational wins single-handedly,like in Sril Lanka in 2010 and v Australia at Bangalore.At his best could overshadow even Sachin or Dravid.
25.Javed Miandad-best to bat for your life but still a supreme craftsman who won many a victory for Pakistan.
Sorry that the likes of , Martin Crowe,George Headley,Graham Gooch,Gordon Greenidge or Ian Chappell just miss out.All could have made it.
Highest Test batting averages in wins (Qual: 4000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Don Bradman 30 4813 130.08 23/ 4
Inzamam-ul-Haq 49 4690 78.16 19/ 20
Kumar Sangakkara 42 4282 71.69 19/20
Steve Waugh 86 6460 69.46 25/ 25
Rahul Dravid 51 5131 65.78 15/23
Sachin Tendulkar 72 5946 61.93 20/24
Here is an an analysis of the runs scored by a batsman during his team's wins,done by Anantha Narayanan in cricinfo cordon ,earlier cricinfo blogs.I feel Lara maybe boosted as he played for a relatively weak team .Playing with other great batsmen was a disadvantage to the Viv Richards.Below the analysis I have given my critical opinion.
ANALYSIS OF ANANTHA NARAYANAN FROM CRICINFO CORDON
I have looked at the % of share of the runs scored by his team. This will give a clear indication of his contributions. There is no comparison done across eras, across teams, across bowlers et al. It is almost like the peer comparison. In truth it is a peer comparison, but the comparison is only within the team, that too only in selected subset of matches. I have also not prepared tables across teams. Each table is for the concerned team.
Analysing batsmen in Test wins
Runs contributed in victories
Ananth Narayanan
October 1, 2009
Text size: A | A
WEST INDIES
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Win Lara B.C ~ 131 11953 32 2929 14611 91.5 20.05
Win Sarwan R.R 81 5671 13 1210 6505 93.1 18.60
Win Sobers G.St.A ~ 93 8032 31 3097 16926 99.9 18.30
Win Adams J.C ~ 54 3010 21 1534 9045 73.0 16.96
Win EdeC Weekes 48 4455 16 1403 8324 87.7 16.85
Win Greenidge C.G 108 7558 57 4653 27970 81.6 16.64
Win Campbell S.L 52 2882 16 1068 6645 66.8 16.07
Win Walcott C.L 44 3798 12 1113 6955 92.8 16.00
Win Richardson R.B 86 5949 43 3059 19251 71.1 15.89
Win Worrell F.M.M 51 3860 18 1483 9359 82.4 15.85
Win Kanhai R.B 79 6227 27 2404 15248 89.0 15.77
Win Nurse S.M 29 2523 10 873 5569 87.3 15.68
Win Chanderpaul S ~ 121 8576 27 1933 12839 71.6 15.06
Win Lloyd C.H ~ 110 7515 43 3337 22217 77.6 15.02
Win Haynes D.L 116 7487 60 4041 27824 67.3 14.52
Win Fredericks R.C ~ 59 4334 15 1256 8735 83.7 14.38
Win Kallicharran A.I ~ 66 4399 19 1437 10127 75.6 14.19
Win Hunte C.C 44 3245 22 1744 12417 79.3 14.05
Win Hinds W.W ~ 45 2608 10 641 4566 64.1 14.04
Win Richards I.V.A 121 8540 63 4300 30787 68.3 13.97
Win Butcher B.F 44 3104 16 1174 8856 73.4 13.26
Win Stollmeyer J.B 32 2159 10 681 5442 68.1 12.51
Win Gayle C.H ~ 82 5502 17 920 8106 54.1 11.35
Win Gomes H.A ~ 60 3171 27 1386 12257 51.3 11.31
Win Hooper C.L 102 5762 33 1560 15008 47.3 10.39
Win Logie A.L 52 2470 26 1238 12164 47.6 10.18
Win Dujon P.J.L 81 3322 44 1758 20311 40.0 8.66
Win Jacobs R.D ~ 65 2579 16 527 7439 32.9 7.08
Lara has contributed quite significantly, above 20%, to the (somewhat lower) proportion of wins during his career. From the strong West Indian teams of the 1980s, only Greenidge is present in the top-10. In fact Richards has a somewhat lower % of runs value of 13.9 although one must admit that he had a win ratio of greater than 50%.
What does this indicate. Possibly that the other batsmen were quite strong. However this is negated by the presence of all the top West Indian batsmen of the 1950s in the top-10.
The above analysis is unfair to Viv Richards or Clive Lloyd but can be attributed to playing for such champion teams.Lara is ranked above every great West Indian batsmen be it Viv Richards,Everton Weekes or Gary Sobers as a match-winner.
Statistisc from other countries-
AUSTRALIA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Aus Bradman D.G 52 6996 30 4813 17036 160.4 28.25
Aus Chappell G.S 87 7110 38 3595 19209 94.6 18.72
Aus Simpson R.B 62 4869 22 2015 11264 91.6 17.89
Aus Bradman D.G 52 6996 30 4813 17036 160.4 28.25
Aus Chappell G.S 87 7110 38 3595 19209 94.6 18.72
Aus Simpson R.B 62 4869 22 2015 11264 91.6 17.89
Aus Lawry W.M ~ 67 5234 20 1853 10714 92.7 17.30
Aus Harvey R.N ~ 79 6149 41 3253 19174 79.3 16.97
Aus Hill C ~ 49 3412 25 2223 13200 88.9 16.84
Aus Walters K.D 74 5357 28 2303 14211 82.2 16.21
Aus McDonald C.C 47 3107 23 1557 9994 67.7 15.58
Aus Ponting R.T 136 11341 90 7754 50453 86.2 15.37
Greg Chappell deserves high rating and Ricky Ponting or even Neil Harvey.Adam Gilchrist unfairly too low.
ENGLAND
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Eng Hutton L 79 6971 27 2678 11891 99.2 22.52
Eng Hobbs J.B 61 5410 28 2720 13715 97.1 19.83
Eng Gooch G.A 118 8900 32 2950 15504 92.2 19.03
Eng Boycott G 108 8114 35 2950 16366 84.3 18.03
Eng Hammond W.R 85 7249 29 2584 14614 89.1 17.68
PAKISTAN
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Pak Shoaib Mohammad 45 2705 12 1055 4927 87.9 21.41
Pak Saeed Anwar ~ 55 4052 23 2254 11079 98.0 20.34
Pak Inzamam-ul-Haq 120 8830 49 4690 25012 95.7 18.75
Pak Younis Khan 63 5260 22 2241 12570 101.9 17.83
Pak Javed Miandad 124 8832 39 2923 17298 74.9 16.90
Inzamam unfairly placed below Anwar and Younis Khan.Good to see Miandad high.
INDIA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Ind Viswanath G.R 91 6080 20 1637 9029 81.8 18.13
Ind Sidhu N.S 51 3202 13 1179 6680 90.7 17.65
Ind Dravid R 134 10823 44 4005 23227 91.0 17.24
Ind Tendulkar S.R 159 12773 51 4416 26993 86.6 16.36
Ind Gavaskar S.M 125 10122 23 1671 10417 72.7 16.04
Vishwanath was at his best in the Tendulkar class and overall a better match-winner than Gavaskar.Really neck to neck with Sehwag and at his best could turn the tables more than Tendulkar.Sidhu is surprising high and Sehwag rated too low.
SRI LANKA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Slk Sangakkara K.C ~ 85 7308 41 4179 22486 101.9 18.58
Slk de Silva P.A 93 6361 19 1467 8736 77.2 16.79
Slk Jayawardene D.P.M.D 107 8750 48 4155 25575 86.6 16.25
Sangakaara or Jayewardene may not have surpassed Aravind De'Silva as match-winners.
SOUTH AFRICA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Saf McGlew D.J 34 2440 11 1156 5285 105.1 21.87
Saf Smith G.C ~ 77 6343 40 3783 20252 94.6 18.68
Saf Wessels K.C ~ 40 2788 12 1044 5800 87.0 18.00
Saf Kallis J.H 131 10277 64 5099 31306 79.7 16.29
In proper careers Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards would stand with the best.
MY ANALYSIS OF RATING
This analysis would be misleading in terms of rating Viv Richards,Clive Lloyd,Rohan Kanhai or Adam Gilchrist less than their moral value as match-winners or inflating Saed Anwar,Shoaib Mohammad,Geoff Boycott and Sarwan.Arguably unfair to Barry Richards,George Headley and Graeme Pollock because they had short careers and did not score 2000 runs in test wins or win 10 tests.Lara is correctly rated ahead of Kallis,Tendulkar,Dravid,but wrongly ranked ahead of Viv Richards or arguably Inzamam and Gilchrist.I feel Bradman and Hobbs deserve to be ranked ahead as in the list.
VIV RICHARDS STATS.IN OFFICIAL GAMES WON
won match 1974-1991 63 90 8 4300 291 52.43 12 22 4 view innings
lost match 1974-1991 19 38 0 1197 177 31.50 2 7 4 view innings
drawn match 1975-1991 39 54 4 3043 232 60.86 10 16 2 view innings
adding packer cricket still his average would only rise in games won from 52 to about 54.5.
BRIAN LARA
won match 1992-2005 32 52 4 2929 213 61.02 4387 66.76 8 16 1 389 30 view innings
lost match 1992-2006 63 126 0 5316 226 42.19 9283 57.26 14 22 13 712 34 view innings
drawn match 1990-2006 36 54 2 3708 400* 71.30 6083 60.95 12 10 3 458 24
JAVED MIANDAD
won match 1976-1993 39 56 7 2923 280* 59.65 10 11 2 view innings
lost match 1977-1993 23 46 1 1339 129* 29.75 1 9 3 view innings
drawn match 1976-1993 62 87 13 4570 271 61.75 12 23 1 view innings
SACHIN TENDULKAR
won match 1990-2013 72 113 17 5946 248* 61.93 20 24 2 view innings
lost match 1990-2012 56 112 2 4088 177 37.16 11 18 8 view innings
drawn match 1989-2012 72 104 14 5887 241* 65.41 20 26 4 view innings
STEVE WAUGH
won match 1987-2003 86 120 27 6460 200 69.46 12847 50.28 25 25 6 690 12 view innings
lost match 1986-2003 36 71 8 2380 199 37.77 4963 47.95 5 9 10 273 6 view innings
tied match 1986-1986 1 2 2 14 12* - 55 25.45 0 0 0 0 0 view innings
drawn match 1985-2004 45 67 9 2073 112 35.74 4596 45.10 2 16 6 212 2 view innings
RICKY PONTING
won match 1995-2012 108 178 24 9157 257 59.46 15240 60.08 30 42 8 1026 53 view innings
lost match 1996-2012 31 62 0 2036 242 32.83 3581 56.85 4 12 8 248 12 view innings
drawn match 1997-2012 29 47 5 2185 157* 52.02 3961
55.16 7 8 1 235 8
DONALD BRADMAN
won match 1929-1948 30 43 6 4813 299* 130.08 23 4 3 view innings
lost match 1928-1938 12 22 0 952 131 43.27 2 6 3 view innings
drawn match 1930-1948 10 15 4 1231 334 111.90 4 3 1 view innings
Simply a creature from another planet.However did not play against the lethal pace bowling of the 1970's and 80's like Gavaskar without a helmet and overshadowed on wet pitches by George Headley.
JACK HOBBS
won match 1908-1930 28 45 5 2720 211 68.00 7 14 1 view innings
lost match 1908-1930 22 42 1 1889 154 46.07 6 9 3 view innings
drawn match 1912-1930 11 15 1 801 119 57.21 2 5 0 view innings
Supreme champion an any conditions
GARY SOBERS
won match 1956-1974 31 46 6 3097 365* 77.42 12 11 1 view innings
lost match 1954-1974 25 49 2 1274 113 27.10 1 5 7 view innings
tied match 1960-1960 1 2 0 146 132 73.00 1 0 0 view innings
drawn match 1955-1974 36 63 13 3515 226 70.30 12 14 4 view innings
Thoroughly deserved
LEN HUTTON
won match 1937-1955 27 48 7 2678 364 65.31 8 8 0 view innings
lost match 1946-1954 20 39 5 1700 202* 50.00 3 12 1 view innings
drawn match 1937-1955 32 51 3 2593 206 54.02 8 13 4 view innings
weathered the best bowling as an opening batsmen
GREG CHAPPELL
won match 1972-1984 38 62 11 3595 204 70.49 14 16 3 377 9 view innings
lost match 1971-1982 19 38 0 978 112 25.73 2 3 4 104 2 view innings
drawn match 1970-1983 30 51 8 2537 247* 59.00 8 12 5 274 5 view innings
Adding his increbible best WSC Packer scores of 246 not out and 150 in winning causes Greg's average would elevate to 72.However Greg was also not out in mnay match-winning knocks like his 182 at Sydney v West Indies in 1975-76 .
RAHUL DRAVID
won match 1996-2011 56 92 14 5131 270 65.78 10786 47.57 15 23 2 643 12 view innings
lost match 1996-2012 49 98 5 2778 146* 29.87 7918 35.08 4 12 5 345 1 view innings
drawn match 1996-2011 59 96 13 5379 222 64.80 12554 42.84 17 28 1 666 8
The ultimate champion when the backs are to the wall.few batsmen ever played more in tune with the situuation.
CLIVE LLOYD
won match 1966-1984 43 63 6 3337 242* 58.54 10 16 3 view innings
lost match 1968-1985 22 43 1 1351 178 32.16 2 7 1 view innings
drawn match 1967-1984 45 69 7 2827 157 45.59 7 16 0
KUMAR SANGAKAARA
won match 2000-2015 54 84 8 5449 287 71.69 9424 57.82 19 20 5 669 17 view innings
lost match 2000-2015 43 86 2 2938 203 34.97 5867 50.07 5 14 4 369 12 view innings
drawn match 2000-2014 37 63 7 4013 319 71.66 7591 52.86 14 18 2 453 22 view innings
Statistically Viv Richards ranks well below the best as match winner be it in average comparative with that in drawn games or in ratio of match-winning centuries.In that regard Don Bradman,Steve Waugh,Inzmam Ul Haq,Jack Hobbs or Gary Sobers are far head.However Viv's contemporaries were also superstars like Greenidge,Lloyd,Haynes.etc and Viv was not at his best when West Indian cricket was at it's absolute peak from 1983-85.In his peak from 1976-81 Viv was at his peak and adding WSC supertest scores would have a better average in wins.Viv's centuries won 2 supertests in WSC in 1977-78 while he also won games in Multan in 1980 scoring 120,scored a match-winning 108 not out in chase at Delhi in 1988,score a match-wining 291 at the Oval in 1976 and his 76 and 74 at Adelaide in 1979-80 played major role in West Indies winning the test and winning the Frank Worrel trophy for the 1st time on Australian soil.Gordon Greenidge had better stats in won games in terms of ratio of centuries and average but was at his best in Clive Lloyd's 1983-85 team.Still if I wanted a batsmen in my team to win game I would want Viv more than anyone,who could create the impact of bomber raiding an airbase and make great fast bowlers look like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse.Viv's eyes simply told the story and he took agression and domination in sport to it's highest zenith.No batsmen ever treated great bowling with such disdain.like Viv who posessed a better strike rate than any batsmen ever,considering his era.The true statistical test for Viv as a match-winner would have been playing in an era where there were many more results like in the 1990's like Lara,Sachin and Inzy,but for a formidable team.Greg Chappell has a better average in test wins than Viv and so do Rohan Kanhai and Clive Lloyd.Don Bradman was the greatest ever batsmen bit still in my book would not make the explosive impact of Sir Viv ;who marched onto the field creating the regal presence of an emperor.Viv tearing Lillee apart was the ultimate sight in cricket.Neverthless the Don is only a whisker behind with his staggering statistical record which is simply on another pedestal.
Considering their great average in wins primarily overseas I place Jack Hobbs and Walter Hammond close to the very top..Hobbs won games on wet pitches unlike Bradman on grounds like Melbourne .In his era I rate Adam Gilchrist as the ultimate match-winner who could create a blitzkreig and turn the complexion of game 180 degrees.Inzamam Ul Haq was the ultimate craftsmen in carving out victories while Steve Waugh took resilience to it's highest zenith making a phenomenal contribution in team wins.Steve's batting in 1995 enabled Australia to claim the unofficial world test championship in 1995 in West Indies and retain it in South Africa in 1997.Scaling his average percentage score and the strength of his team Lara would have joint the best of match-winners.Gary Sobers was more mercurail than nay batsmen of his time and his explosive power literally ruled the cricket field.Played some of the best ever knocks in games won,particularly when retrieving a sinking ship.Virendra Sehwag often played like a Viv Richards of his day.Had he had support in his peak era Tendulkar would have won many more matches.However he lacked the impetus to the give the final knockout punch,particularly in the 4th innings.In that light V.V.S.Laxman was a champion.Younus Khanin the modern era could carry a team's cause single-handedly and turn the tables like no other batsmen,Rahul Dravid was a wall ,but played innings more in tune with a given situation than even Lara or Tendulkar.Dravid won India some of it's most famous test wins in Australia,Pakistan and West Indies.From 2002-2007 Dravid overshadowed Tendulkar as match-winner.Rohan Kanhai had a remarkable average in wins and could turn game with his scintillating strokeplay.Ricky Ponting was the statistical champion of his era but won most tests at home and had the advantage of playing for champion team throughout.
In terms of average in winning cause many great batsmen are better than Lara as shown below.Even Gary Sobers and Greg Chappel have considerably higher averages in wins but have not scored over 4000 run sin wins.Sobers averaged 77.5,while Chappell averaged 70.5.Ricky Ponting averages 59.5 but scored 30 centuries in wins.
This is my ultimate list of best match-winning batsmen in test cricket in order of merit.
1.Viv Richards-Ultimate master blaster who resembled an emperor at the crease .Could have broken all the batting records if he wished .Destroyed great bowlers like a tiger tearing his prey.No batsmen was ever more intimidating or treated a cricket ball as mercilessly.At his best from 1976-81 ,particularly in WSC supertests in 1977-78 when he aggregated 862 runs .
2.Don Bradman -staggering stats speak for themselves who was literally a machine. In terms of record stood on another street.
3.Jack Hobbs-the wet pitch master who was like an architect and surgeon moulded into one,wining England famous victories at home and away.At Melbourne in 1926 and the Oval in 1928-29 displayed mastery at it's highset zenith in a wining cause.
4.Walter Hammond-Equivalent of Viv Richards of his day.Unfortunate to play in same era as Bradman but still made a phenomenal impact.
5.Inzamam Ul-Haq-Not technically the best or the most talented but could shape the destiny of innings better attn even Lara or Tendulkar in wins.A master craftsman and arguably the best batsmen against genuine pace in his era.A champin with the tail who could rally every batsmen around him.
6.Adam Gilchrist-created the impact of a dynamite at his best and could ressurect a team from the grave to win games in full flow more than any batsmen.No cricketer of his era so single-handedly turned games.
7.Steve Waugh-Displayed temperament and resilience in sport at it's highest zenith,matering any kind of conditions.Responsible for taking Australia to the status of unofficial test champin sfrom 1995-97 more than anyone else.
8.Brian Lara-controversial but no batsmen had a higher average percentage score or could so single-handedly carry the mantle of a weak batting side as Lara.In the 1999 Frank Worrel Trophy Lara reversed the plot more than any great batsmen ever.I doubt Viv or Bradman have surpassed that.Above all Lara never curbed his stroke-making and was more dominant after scoring a century.No batsmen had abetter penchant for mammoth scores or equalled Lara's creative genius in his era.No batsmen ever played the cause of the lone crusader in such a mercurial fashion.
9.Barry Richards-in a proper career would have joined Viv.Closest to the perfect batting machine who could imperiously dominate bowling attacks.His match winning knocks of 207 and 125 not out in Kerry Packer World Series Cricket prove his great capability as match winner .Also won games v Australia in 1969-70 at home.Would have surpassed any opening batsmen as a match-winner if he had a full career.Could well be a 1st choice above even Hobbs,Hutton or Gavaskar in an all-time xl as he could set up the perfcet launching pad.
10.Virendra Sehwag-Not supported by stats but still to me at his peak India's best match-winner .Could literally set a stadium on fire like no batsmen of his time bar Gilchrist and had a great penchant for mammoth scores than nay batsmen ,bar Brian Lara.Viru to me on his day could turn game on the worst of wickets like he did at Kolkata v England in 2008.To me the Viv Richards of his day,that too as an opener.
11..Gary Sobers-Played some of cricket's gem s in reviving a sinking ship to win tests like when scoring 254 at Melbourne in 1972 and 163 at Lords in 1966.Took cricketing domination to it's highest intensity blending technical skill
with power.
12.Graeme Pollock-In a full career would possibly have surpassed Sobers or maybe Lara as a match-winner..Neverthless played some great innings wins like in England in 1965 and against Australia in 1969-70.
13.Rohan Kanhai-no batsmen ever posessed more prowess who at his best was better than even Gary Sobers.Took art of batting to a higher dimension.Averaged over 58 in games won.Best innings in Australia in 1960-61 and 1972 may not have been equalled by Lara or Viv,let alone surpassed.
14.Greg Chappell-Arguably the most complete batsmen of his time who averaged over 72 in winning causes if you ad games in WSC Supertests and against Rest of the World in 1972.Won tests against powerful teams like West Indies in 1975-76 averaging 117 including match-winning 182 not out at Sydney.His 131 at Lords in 1972,150 in 3rd supertest at Trinidad and 246 not out out v World xi in 1977-78 won Australia famous victories.Statistically the best batting match-winner of his era but still morally below Viv Richards.
15.Sachin Tendulkar-If he had support could have won games like Bradman,Viv or Hobbs but at his peak played the role of alone crusader.Not so impressive in 4th innings and often did not at his best in delivering final knockout punch.When Indian period reached a golden era from 2004 Sachin was not at his best being overshadowed by Dravid,Sehwag and Laxman.However he ressurected like a Muhammad Ali to become the best batsmen again and arguably the best ever batsmen.
16.Everton Weekes- played more like Bradman arguably than anyone taking domination in batting to a superlative zenith.No West Indian batsmen looked more like a cricketing machine.Would have been rtaed higher if he had been proific in Australia like Sobers and Kanhai,particularly;y at their best.
17.Ricky Ponting-On stats the best match-winner with Bradman,Inzamam and Steve Waugh but had the advantage of playing for a champion team.Gave some of batting's best exhibitions in winning causes,neverthless.
18.George Headley-a short career but still has a phenomenal average of over 95 in test wins.Won famous wins against England at home in 1929-30 and 1934-35.The ultimate crusader who overshadowed Bradman on wet wickets.
19.Younis Khan-displayed determination at it's highest watermark and turned the face of a demoralized Pak team like few great batsmen have ever revealed.
20.Len Hutton -a master in any conditions who won famous victories in Australia and West Indies with a staggering average.Generally laborious but statistically a great match-winner .
21.Neil Harvey-A class act on his day who could turn the tide of game like few batsmen ever could do.Scored 151 not ut out out of 336 on a broken wicket in a 4th innings in South Africa to take Australia home to a famous win.
22.Gundappa Vishwanath-At his best the best Indian match-winner with Sehwag.No Asian batsmen surpased Vishy's creative genius or brilliance on bad wickets.He won famous victories for India against West Indies in 1974-75 in Kolkata and Madras , in Trinidad in 1975-76 and against in Madras in 1978-79 as well as in Melbourne v Australia in 1980-81.Vishy's best centuries revived a sinking ship to win games ,ressurecting India from the most difficult situations.Vishy won more tests than Gavaskar .
23.Kumar Sangakkara-Phenomenal contribution in shaping famous wins for Sri Lanka.Came very close to pulling of a Houdini act in a staggering run chase in Australia.Superbly blended power with technical skill and could single-handedly carry his team's cause on his shoulders.
24.V.V.S.Laxman-Won India some of it's most famous victories in modern times particularly in partnership.His 281 at Kolkata ressurected India from the grave to win game like no batsmen has ever done .The best batsmen of his era in a 4th innings chase,twice pulling off sensational wins single-handedly,like in Sril Lanka in 2010 and v Australia at Bangalore.At his best could overshadow even Sachin or Dravid.
25.Javed Miandad-best to bat for your life but still a supreme craftsman who won many a victory for Pakistan.
Sorry that the likes of , Martin Crowe,George Headley,Graham Gooch,Gordon Greenidge or Ian Chappell just miss out.All could have made it.
Highest Test batting averages in wins (Qual: 4000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Don Bradman 30 4813 130.08 23/ 4
Inzamam-ul-Haq 49 4690 78.16 19/ 20
Kumar Sangakkara 42 4282 71.69 19/20
Steve Waugh 86 6460 69.46 25/ 25
Rahul Dravid 51 5131 65.78 15/23
Sachin Tendulkar 72 5946 61.93 20/24
Here is an an analysis of the runs scored by a batsman during his team's wins,done by Anantha Narayanan in cricinfo cordon ,earlier cricinfo blogs.I feel Lara maybe boosted as he played for a relatively weak team .Playing with other great batsmen was a disadvantage to the Viv Richards.Below the analysis I have given my critical opinion.
ANALYSIS OF ANANTHA NARAYANAN FROM CRICINFO CORDON
I have looked at the % of share of the runs scored by his team. This will give a clear indication of his contributions. There is no comparison done across eras, across teams, across bowlers et al. It is almost like the peer comparison. In truth it is a peer comparison, but the comparison is only within the team, that too only in selected subset of matches. I have also not prepared tables across teams. Each table is for the concerned team.
Analysing batsmen in Test wins
Runs contributed in victories
Ananth Narayanan
October 1, 2009
Text size: A | A
WEST INDIES
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Win Lara B.C ~ 131 11953 32 2929 14611 91.5 20.05
Win Sarwan R.R 81 5671 13 1210 6505 93.1 18.60
Win Sobers G.St.A ~ 93 8032 31 3097 16926 99.9 18.30
Win Adams J.C ~ 54 3010 21 1534 9045 73.0 16.96
Win EdeC Weekes 48 4455 16 1403 8324 87.7 16.85
Win Greenidge C.G 108 7558 57 4653 27970 81.6 16.64
Win Campbell S.L 52 2882 16 1068 6645 66.8 16.07
Win Walcott C.L 44 3798 12 1113 6955 92.8 16.00
Win Richardson R.B 86 5949 43 3059 19251 71.1 15.89
Win Worrell F.M.M 51 3860 18 1483 9359 82.4 15.85
Win Kanhai R.B 79 6227 27 2404 15248 89.0 15.77
Win Nurse S.M 29 2523 10 873 5569 87.3 15.68
Win Chanderpaul S ~ 121 8576 27 1933 12839 71.6 15.06
Win Lloyd C.H ~ 110 7515 43 3337 22217 77.6 15.02
Win Haynes D.L 116 7487 60 4041 27824 67.3 14.52
Win Fredericks R.C ~ 59 4334 15 1256 8735 83.7 14.38
Win Kallicharran A.I ~ 66 4399 19 1437 10127 75.6 14.19
Win Hunte C.C 44 3245 22 1744 12417 79.3 14.05
Win Hinds W.W ~ 45 2608 10 641 4566 64.1 14.04
Win Richards I.V.A 121 8540 63 4300 30787 68.3 13.97
Win Butcher B.F 44 3104 16 1174 8856 73.4 13.26
Win Stollmeyer J.B 32 2159 10 681 5442 68.1 12.51
Win Gayle C.H ~ 82 5502 17 920 8106 54.1 11.35
Win Gomes H.A ~ 60 3171 27 1386 12257 51.3 11.31
Win Hooper C.L 102 5762 33 1560 15008 47.3 10.39
Win Logie A.L 52 2470 26 1238 12164 47.6 10.18
Win Dujon P.J.L 81 3322 44 1758 20311 40.0 8.66
Win Jacobs R.D ~ 65 2579 16 527 7439 32.9 7.08
Lara has contributed quite significantly, above 20%, to the (somewhat lower) proportion of wins during his career. From the strong West Indian teams of the 1980s, only Greenidge is present in the top-10. In fact Richards has a somewhat lower % of runs value of 13.9 although one must admit that he had a win ratio of greater than 50%.
What does this indicate. Possibly that the other batsmen were quite strong. However this is negated by the presence of all the top West Indian batsmen of the 1950s in the top-10.
The above analysis is unfair to Viv Richards or Clive Lloyd but can be attributed to playing for such champion teams.Lara is ranked above every great West Indian batsmen be it Viv Richards,Everton Weekes or Gary Sobers as a match-winner.
Statistisc from other countries-
AUSTRALIA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Aus Bradman D.G 52 6996 30 4813 17036 160.4 28.25
Aus Chappell G.S 87 7110 38 3595 19209 94.6 18.72
Aus Simpson R.B 62 4869 22 2015 11264 91.6 17.89
Aus Bradman D.G 52 6996 30 4813 17036 160.4 28.25
Aus Chappell G.S 87 7110 38 3595 19209 94.6 18.72
Aus Simpson R.B 62 4869 22 2015 11264 91.6 17.89
Aus Lawry W.M ~ 67 5234 20 1853 10714 92.7 17.30
Aus Harvey R.N ~ 79 6149 41 3253 19174 79.3 16.97
Aus Hill C ~ 49 3412 25 2223 13200 88.9 16.84
Aus Walters K.D 74 5357 28 2303 14211 82.2 16.21
Aus McDonald C.C 47 3107 23 1557 9994 67.7 15.58
Aus Ponting R.T 136 11341 90 7754 50453 86.2 15.37
Greg Chappell deserves high rating and Ricky Ponting or even Neil Harvey.Adam Gilchrist unfairly too low.
ENGLAND
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Eng Hutton L 79 6971 27 2678 11891 99.2 22.52
Eng Hobbs J.B 61 5410 28 2720 13715 97.1 19.83
Eng Gooch G.A 118 8900 32 2950 15504 92.2 19.03
Eng Boycott G 108 8114 35 2950 16366 84.3 18.03
Eng Hammond W.R 85 7249 29 2584 14614 89.1 17.68
PAKISTAN
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Pak Shoaib Mohammad 45 2705 12 1055 4927 87.9 21.41
Pak Saeed Anwar ~ 55 4052 23 2254 11079 98.0 20.34
Pak Inzamam-ul-Haq 120 8830 49 4690 25012 95.7 18.75
Pak Younis Khan 63 5260 22 2241 12570 101.9 17.83
Pak Javed Miandad 124 8832 39 2923 17298 74.9 16.90
Inzamam unfairly placed below Anwar and Younis Khan.Good to see Miandad high.
INDIA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Ind Viswanath G.R 91 6080 20 1637 9029 81.8 18.13
Ind Sidhu N.S 51 3202 13 1179 6680 90.7 17.65
Ind Dravid R 134 10823 44 4005 23227 91.0 17.24
Ind Tendulkar S.R 159 12773 51 4416 26993 86.6 16.36
Ind Gavaskar S.M 125 10122 23 1671 10417 72.7 16.04
Vishwanath was at his best in the Tendulkar class and overall a better match-winner than Gavaskar.Really neck to neck with Sehwag and at his best could turn the tables more than Tendulkar.Sidhu is surprising high and Sehwag rated too low.
SRI LANKA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Slk Sangakkara K.C ~ 85 7308 41 4179 22486 101.9 18.58
Slk de Silva P.A 93 6361 19 1467 8736 77.2 16.79
Slk Jayawardene D.P.M.D 107 8750 48 4155 25575 86.6 16.25
Sangakaara or Jayewardene may not have surpassed Aravind De'Silva as match-winners.
SOUTH AFRICA
Cty Batsman L Mat Runs Wins Runs TmRuns RpT % TS
Saf McGlew D.J 34 2440 11 1156 5285 105.1 21.87
Saf Smith G.C ~ 77 6343 40 3783 20252 94.6 18.68
Saf Wessels K.C ~ 40 2788 12 1044 5800 87.0 18.00
Saf Kallis J.H 131 10277 64 5099 31306 79.7 16.29
In proper careers Graeme Pollock and Barry Richards would stand with the best.
MY ANALYSIS OF RATING
This analysis would be misleading in terms of rating Viv Richards,Clive Lloyd,Rohan Kanhai or Adam Gilchrist less than their moral value as match-winners or inflating Saed Anwar,Shoaib Mohammad,Geoff Boycott and Sarwan.Arguably unfair to Barry Richards,George Headley and Graeme Pollock because they had short careers and did not score 2000 runs in test wins or win 10 tests.Lara is correctly rated ahead of Kallis,Tendulkar,Dravid,but wrongly ranked ahead of Viv Richards or arguably Inzamam and Gilchrist.I feel Bradman and Hobbs deserve to be ranked ahead as in the list.
VIV RICHARDS STATS.IN OFFICIAL GAMES WON
won match 1974-1991 63 90 8 4300 291 52.43 12 22 4 view innings
lost match 1974-1991 19 38 0 1197 177 31.50 2 7 4 view innings
drawn match 1975-1991 39 54 4 3043 232 60.86 10 16 2 view innings
adding packer cricket still his average would only rise in games won from 52 to about 54.5.
BRIAN LARA
won match 1992-2005 32 52 4 2929 213 61.02 4387 66.76 8 16 1 389 30 view innings
lost match 1992-2006 63 126 0 5316 226 42.19 9283 57.26 14 22 13 712 34 view innings
drawn match 1990-2006 36 54 2 3708 400* 71.30 6083 60.95 12 10 3 458 24
JAVED MIANDAD
won match 1976-1993 39 56 7 2923 280* 59.65 10 11 2 view innings
lost match 1977-1993 23 46 1 1339 129* 29.75 1 9 3 view innings
drawn match 1976-1993 62 87 13 4570 271 61.75 12 23 1 view innings
SACHIN TENDULKAR
won match 1990-2013 72 113 17 5946 248* 61.93 20 24 2 view innings
lost match 1990-2012 56 112 2 4088 177 37.16 11 18 8 view innings
drawn match 1989-2012 72 104 14 5887 241* 65.41 20 26 4 view innings
STEVE WAUGH
won match 1987-2003 86 120 27 6460 200 69.46 12847 50.28 25 25 6 690 12 view innings
lost match 1986-2003 36 71 8 2380 199 37.77 4963 47.95 5 9 10 273 6 view innings
tied match 1986-1986 1 2 2 14 12* - 55 25.45 0 0 0 0 0 view innings
drawn match 1985-2004 45 67 9 2073 112 35.74 4596 45.10 2 16 6 212 2 view innings
RICKY PONTING
won match 1995-2012 108 178 24 9157 257 59.46 15240 60.08 30 42 8 1026 53 view innings
lost match 1996-2012 31 62 0 2036 242 32.83 3581 56.85 4 12 8 248 12 view innings
drawn match 1997-2012 29 47 5 2185 157* 52.02 3961
55.16 7 8 1 235 8
DONALD BRADMAN
won match 1929-1948 30 43 6 4813 299* 130.08 23 4 3 view innings
lost match 1928-1938 12 22 0 952 131 43.27 2 6 3 view innings
drawn match 1930-1948 10 15 4 1231 334 111.90 4 3 1 view innings
Simply a creature from another planet.However did not play against the lethal pace bowling of the 1970's and 80's like Gavaskar without a helmet and overshadowed on wet pitches by George Headley.
JACK HOBBS
won match 1908-1930 28 45 5 2720 211 68.00 7 14 1 view innings
lost match 1908-1930 22 42 1 1889 154 46.07 6 9 3 view innings
drawn match 1912-1930 11 15 1 801 119 57.21 2 5 0 view innings
Supreme champion an any conditions
GARY SOBERS
won match 1956-1974 31 46 6 3097 365* 77.42 12 11 1 view innings
lost match 1954-1974 25 49 2 1274 113 27.10 1 5 7 view innings
tied match 1960-1960 1 2 0 146 132 73.00 1 0 0 view innings
drawn match 1955-1974 36 63 13 3515 226 70.30 12 14 4 view innings
Thoroughly deserved
LEN HUTTON
won match 1937-1955 27 48 7 2678 364 65.31 8 8 0 view innings
lost match 1946-1954 20 39 5 1700 202* 50.00 3 12 1 view innings
drawn match 1937-1955 32 51 3 2593 206 54.02 8 13 4 view innings
weathered the best bowling as an opening batsmen
GREG CHAPPELL
won match 1972-1984 38 62 11 3595 204 70.49 14 16 3 377 9 view innings
lost match 1971-1982 19 38 0 978 112 25.73 2 3 4 104 2 view innings
drawn match 1970-1983 30 51 8 2537 247* 59.00 8 12 5 274 5 view innings
Adding his increbible best WSC Packer scores of 246 not out and 150 in winning causes Greg's average would elevate to 72.However Greg was also not out in mnay match-winning knocks like his 182 at Sydney v West Indies in 1975-76 .
RAHUL DRAVID
won match 1996-2011 56 92 14 5131 270 65.78 10786 47.57 15 23 2 643 12 view innings
lost match 1996-2012 49 98 5 2778 146* 29.87 7918 35.08 4 12 5 345 1 view innings
drawn match 1996-2011 59 96 13 5379 222 64.80 12554 42.84 17 28 1 666 8
The ultimate champion when the backs are to the wall.few batsmen ever played more in tune with the situuation.
CLIVE LLOYD
won match 1966-1984 43 63 6 3337 242* 58.54 10 16 3 view innings
lost match 1968-1985 22 43 1 1351 178 32.16 2 7 1 view innings
drawn match 1967-1984 45 69 7 2827 157 45.59 7 16 0
KUMAR SANGAKAARA
won match 2000-2015 54 84 8 5449 287 71.69 9424 57.82 19 20 5 669 17 view innings
lost match 2000-2015 43 86 2 2938 203 34.97 5867 50.07 5 14 4 369 12 view innings
drawn match 2000-2014 37 63 7 4013 319 71.66 7591 52.86 14 18 2 453 22 view innings
