Is this the end of Fabulous 4?

[Joseph Gomes]

With Smith banned for one year, we're not going to see the 4 best batsmen of modern times in the next 12 months. However whether Smith can be on the same level as a batsman after his return to the squad is also questionable.

Thoughts?

 

[hk031992]

that is my fear. One year away in the context of cricket is a loong time. Hopefully Smith returns strong.

 

[Madplayer]

Smith might return as the tail ender which he used to be earlier on in his career

 

[barah_admi]

I mean, Smith is at an age when he can easily come back and with modern pitches, small boundaries and quality of bowlers, he should be fine.

 

[Varun]

Never got the hype about Joe Root either - seems a rung below the other three / two.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

I mean, Smith is at an age when he can easily come back and with modern pitches, small boundaries and quality of bowlers, he should be fine.

He was getting ragdolled in South Africa though. No wonder he had ro cheat

 

[Ab Fan]

Is 1 year ban for Smith and Warner confirmed or still a speculation?

 

[Slog]

He was getting ragdolled in South Africa though. No wonder he had ro cheat

Yes he was tampering the ball so that he can score runs...

He has absolutely decimated a much superior Saffer attack on Aus' last tour courtesy of which Aus won the series

This was his first poor series in eons. 'No wonder' lol

 

[angrypathan]

Shane Warne came back after a year and still performed like a gun, don't see Smith doing much differently

 

[Torborg]

I'll be surprised if he doesn't come back into test cricket as good or better than what he has been. Comparisons to others are meaningless imo.

 

[WengerOut]

Yes he was tampering the ball so that he can score runs...

He has absolutely decimated a much superior Saffer attack on Aus' last tour courtesy of which Aus won the series

This was his first poor series in eons. 'No wonder' lol

He actually had a poor series in Bangladesh as well where Warner of all people rescued Australia.

 

[Torborg]

He tailed off against England in the odi series. Mental exhaustion could explain it.

 

[j_kazmi]

No not at all.

This brings the rise of the new member of the Fab Four

 

[Arham_PakFan]

For now.

 

[rhony]

There is no big 4. It's Kohli at the top dominating all three formats.

The other 3 are excellent in a couple of formats. Smith was atrocious in the SA tour so far and , Kohli dominated the same bowlers not too long ago on pitches way tougher than this

 

[Buffet]

Nope, he will do fine when he returns.

 

[Mueez]

No not at all.

This brings the rise of the new member of the Fab Four

I actually wanted to post this
)

 

[Someone]

No not at all.

This brings the rise of the new member of the Fab Four

With 23.75 Test average

 

[Bhaijaan]

They are professionals at the end of the day, handled by the best people so there should not be many issues though the guilt he'd be in for the rest of his life might be too much to deal with to be the same batsman again. Batting is very different from bowling. You really need to be peaceful in your head to be a great batsman. Warne and Amir's examples might not apply to Smith here.

Would be a shame though. Hope he does come back strong after having learnt his lessons.

 

[Ab Fan]

Many people and cricket experts feel that sanctions announced was harsh on Smith, Warner and Bancroft and it is not possible really that only these three were involved in it.

The fact that Warner was a bigger culprit , also makes people feel more sympathetic towards Smith. Tbh, in long run, people will become a little softer on Smith with time and hence his legacy will remain intact.

 

[CanadianG00se]

No not at all.

This brings the rise of the new member of the Fab Four

Babar Azam will only garner the praise from fans (neutrals) and experts when he starts performing in test arena. Atm his record in test is pretty mediocre, which ofcourse can change in matter of one or two outstanding seasons. But until that happens, Azam wouldnt be mentioned along with modern greats.

 

[Hasan123]

He should be fine .

 

[Snow]

I thought he was just banned for International Cricket. He can still play domestic cricket?

 

[HuzaifaE]

It's a big 2. The entire concept of Fab 4 makes no sense to me, Williamson and Root can't shine Virat's boots and Smith is a cut above everyone in tests. Those two deserve to be on a higher pedestal, Williamson and Root do not.

 

[Smudger]

Nah, his punishment int rven finalised.
And on his comeback he will redeem himself.
I think he will get back his no 1 ranking within 1 year after comeback.
No 1 ranking belong only to him.
We will see kane , joe and virat juggling no 1 test ranking

 

[Rishta Aunty]

It's a big 2. The entire concept of Fab 4 makes no sense to me, Williamson and Root can't shine Virat's boots and Smith is a cut above everyone in tests. Those two deserve to be on a higher pedestal, Williamson and Root do not.

Pretty much this! It was the Fab 4 until 2015 when Smith and Kohli just took their games to a totally different level. Now it's the Big 2, though if we have to be truthful, it's literally just Kohli out there at the top overall. And that's been reinforced even more with this Smith ban sadly.