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Players who are worse than their stats suggest

Unbiased-Fan

Local Club Captain
Joined
Oct 25, 2021
Runs
2,233
Taking inspiration from my previous thread where we discussed about players who were better than their stats suggest.

Here, we'll see the players who have brilliant stats, but deep inside we all know they are not that much good.


Here is my list ;

1. Babar Azam
He is the inspiration behind this thread. Good batsman but his stats are inflated by playing against weaker teams on very flat tracks.

2. Rashid Khan
He has great stats by mainly playing against minnows. He once gave 100+ runs against England in world cup game.

3. Wanidu Hasaranga
Same like Rashid, he has impressive stats against minnows. He took 3 consecutive fifers against minnows in WC qualifies.

4. Vernon Philander
Fantastic bowler but got help from bowling friendly tracks in South Africa.

5. Adam Voges
Played very little cricket.

6. Kane Williamson in tests
ATG batsman but his stats are inflated by bashing weak teams on his home grounds. He has ordinary numbers in every tough country.

7. Marnus Labuschagne
Again a home track bully. Ordinary record outside Australia but rarely criticized as he is not from sub continent.

8. Mohd Siraj in ODIs
He took bulk of wickets against Srilanka, otherwise his record is average.

9. Shadab Khan
His t20 numbers are even better than likes of Adil Rashid and Ish Sodhi. But, is he better than those two?

10. Chris Woakes
Probably the biggest HTB ever. He can't play outside UK.


Discuss
 
Javed Miandad by a long, long way. He was basically gifted an average of 52 odd by Pakistani umpires. No wonder he doesn't ever get talked among his contemporaries like Viv, Sunny, Chappell and Border because he doesn't belong with them. Also, no wonder he almost never makes it to any All Time XI.​
 
Javed Miandad by a long, long way. He was basically gifted an average of 52 odd by Pakistani umpires. No wonder he doesn't ever get talked among his contemporaries like Viv, Sunny, Chappell and Border because he doesn't belong with them. Also, no wonder he almost never makes it to any All Time XI.​
I heard, it was impossible to get him out LBW in Pakistan. Is that true?
 
Javed Miandad by a long, long way. He was basically gifted an average of 52 odd by Pakistani umpires. No wonder he doesn't ever get talked among his contemporaries like Viv, Sunny, Chappell and Border because he doesn't belong with them. Also, no wonder he almost never makes it to any All Time XI.​
Miandad's record in different countries

in Australia
Innings 28
Runs 1028
Average 38.07
Hundreds 2

in England
Innings 24
Runs 979
Average 46.61
Hundreds 2

in India
Innings 21
Runs 948
Average 49.89
Hundred 0

in New Zealand

Innings 14
Runs 928
Average 77.33
Hundreds 3

in Pakistan
Innings 86
Runs 4481
Average 61.38
Hundreds 14

in Sri Lanka
Innings 4
Runs 63
Average 15.75
Hundred 0

in West Indies
Innings 12
Runs 405
Average 33.75
Hundreds 2


Dude has zero centuries in India, mediocre average of 15, 33 and 38 in Srilanka, Windies and Australia respectively.
 
Miandad's record in different countries

in Australia
Innings 28
Runs 1028
Average 38.07
Hundreds 2

in England
Innings 24
Runs 979
Average 46.61
Hundreds 2

in India
Innings 21
Runs 948
Average 49.89
Hundred 0

in New Zealand

Innings 14
Runs 928
Average 77.33
Hundreds 3

in Pakistan
Innings 86
Runs 4481
Average 61.38
Hundreds 14

in Sri Lanka
Innings 4
Runs 63
Average 15.75
Hundred 0

in West Indies
Innings 12
Runs 405
Average 33.75
Hundreds 2


Dude has zero centuries in India, mediocre average of 15, 33 and 38 in Srilanka, Windies and Australia respectively.
He didn't have Shaqoor Rana watching his back.
 
"Don't bother appealing. It's my land, my rules".

Steve Waugh mentioned it in his autobiography.
I rarely like to believe such claims but just checked the stats, its a revelation:

total inningslbw dismissal(lbw/innings)
In Pakistan8689.3%
outside Pakistan1032423.3%

For comparison: Gavaskar

total inningslbw dissmisals(lbw/innings)
In India108109.25%
outside India10676.6%

MIND BLOWN!!!! 😱😱
 
Another thread for desperate Indians to bash Pakistanis.

It's time to exit as no serious discussion will be undertaken here.
this is always the case, unfortunately the contemporary Pakistan team is so bad, it makes it far easier to go and diminish the status of historic cricketers and most of the younger lot fall for it. the argument goes from javed miandad is the most overrated player to no one includes him in all time XIs, lol.

the insinuation that Pakistani umpires were somehow more biased when there is more than enough anecdotal evidence that home umpires everywhere used to favour their own players, and when it was Pakistan who pioneered natural umpiring, is borderline racism, unfortunately no one on this forum seems to care much about that.
 
Tests :-

Aus - Hussey( should have averaged 45, a home track bully)
SA - Philander( 26-27 averaging bowler)
Ind - Jadeja ( 28-29 averaging bowler and 33 avg batter)
Eng - None( most of them have poor stats)
Pak - Yousuf( 45-46 averaging batsman)
SL - Mahela (45-46 averaging batsman)
WI - Chanderpaul ( 47 averaging batter)
NZ - Williamson ( 46-47 averaging batter)

I am only listing among top players, so don't think these are bad players, just their stats make them look ATG level but they aren't. There are many others who deserves to average 2-3 lower than what they do but I have listed the ones where the gap is bigger.
 
this is always the case, unfortunately the contemporary Pakistan team is so bad, it makes it far easier to go and diminish the status of historic cricketers and most of the younger lot fall for it. the argument goes from javed miandad is the most overrated player to no one includes him in all time XIs, lol.

the insinuation that Pakistani umpires were somehow more biased when there is more than enough anecdotal evidence that home umpires everywhere used to favour their own players, and when it was Pakistan who pioneered natural umpiring, is borderline racism, unfortunately no one on this forum seems to care much about that.
Please check the post above.. before just labelling something just anecdotal!

I haven't even pointed in the stats analysis, that Miandad had ZERO lbw dismissal at home for first 9 years of his career, while 14 outside Pakistan in the same duration!

These are not just anecdotes.
 
I think Inzamam and Babar would fit this category. Great batters but chocked in big events.
 
Pujara played a lot of matches away from home and in tough conditions which is why even though his away record is mediocre, his stats don't flatter him. He is a deserving 42 averaging batsman.
 
Tests :-

Aus - Hussey( should have averaged 45, a home track bully)
SA - Philander( 26-27 averaging bowler)
Ind - Jadeja ( 28-29 averaging bowler and 33 avg batter)
Eng - None( most of them have poor stats)
Pak - Yousuf( 45-46 averaging batsman)
SL - Mahela (45-46 averaging batsman)
WI - Chanderpaul ( 47 averaging batter)
NZ - Williamson ( 46-47 averaging batter)

I am only listing among top players, so don't think these are bad players, just their stats make them look ATG level but they aren't. There are many others who deserves to average 2-3 lower than what they do but I have listed the ones where the gap is bigger.
Woakes Anderson from England???
 
Woakes Anderson from England???

Woakes is not a top bowler in the cricket world. Anderson's average of 26 is fine given that he went on to pick 700 wickets.

Anyone who has longevity deserves a bit of leniency( eg Anderson, Kumble, Walsh) because a longer career means loss of form here and there is almost a guaranteed. No such leniency for players with say, 5000 runs or 200 wickets.
 
this is always the case, unfortunately the contemporary Pakistan team is so bad, it makes it far easier to go and diminish the status of historic cricketers and most of the younger lot fall for it. the argument goes from javed miandad is the most overrated player to no one includes him in all time XIs, lol.

the insinuation that Pakistani umpires were somehow more biased when there is more than enough anecdotal evidence that home umpires everywhere used to favour their own players, and when it was Pakistan who pioneered natural umpiring, is borderline racism, unfortunately no one on this forum seems to care much about that.
Well, I do care and stats actually show, that Miandad started getting lbw at hom once the experiment of neutral umpiring started gaining hold.

ZERO lbw dismissals at home till 1985, 14 outside Pakistan
8 lbw dismissals after 1985 at home and 10 outside Pakistan. As they say in Star Wars " bringing balance to the force"
Imran Khan pioneered the neutral umpires. We appreciate that. :)
 
Well, I do care and stats actually show, that Miandad started getting lbw at hom once the experiment of neutral umpiring started gaining hold.

ZERO lbw dismissals at home till 1985, 14 outside Pakistan
8 lbw dismissals after 1985 at home and 10 outside Pakistan. As they say in Star Wars " bringing balance to the force"
Imran Khan pioneered the neutral umpires. We appreciate that. :)
Maninder Singh said it in an interview that he once appealed for a plumb LBW against Miandad, and the umpire (Shaqoor Rana) just smiled at him and refused to give it out.

The umpire then egged him saying, "Chal, chal bowling kar. Yaha clean bowled hone par hee wicket milega".
 
Maninder Singh said it in an interview that he once appealed for a plumb LBW against Miandad, and the umpire (Shaqoor Rana) just smiled at him and refused to give it out.

The umpire then egged him saying, "Chal, chal bowling kar. Yaha clean bowled hone par hee wicket milega".
what does shaqoor rana or this interview has to do anything with this thread????
 
what does shaqoor rana or this interview has to do anything with this thread????
Players worse than their stats,
Player under discussion "Javed Miandad"
Context: The reason of certain skewness with regards to lbw dismissals at home v/s away. Some posters claim its just anecdotes, while some are discussing the anomaly captured in stats and co-relating with contemporary stories of that time.
back and forth without personal attacks :)
 
the insinuation that Pakistani umpires were somehow more biased when there is more than enough anecdotal evidence that home umpires everywhere used to favour their own players, and when it was Pakistan who pioneered natural umpiring, is borderline racism, unfortunately no one on this forum seems to care much about that.

I agree, Bob Willis (RIP) once mentioned this on Sky. Australian and New Zealand umpires in the pre neutral era were the absolute worst he said.
 
Miandad's record in different countries

in Australia
Innings 28
Runs 1028
Average 38.07
Hundreds 2

in England
Innings 24
Runs 979
Average 46.61
Hundreds 2

in India
Innings 21
Runs 948
Average 49.89
Hundred 0

in New Zealand

Innings 14
Runs 928
Average 77.33
Hundreds 3

in Pakistan
Innings 86
Runs 4481
Average 61.38
Hundreds 14

in Sri Lanka
Innings 4
Runs 63
Average 15.75
Hundred 0

in West Indies
Innings 12
Runs 405
Average 33.75
Hundreds 2


Dude has zero centuries in India, mediocre average of 15, 33 and 38 in Srilanka, Windies and Australia respectively.
How is an average of 38,46,49,77 in Aus, Eng, Ind, Nz bad?

Thats above 40 average in 3 out of 4 opponents.
 
I agree, Bob Willis (RIP) once mentioned this on Sky. Australian and New Zealand umpires in the pre neutral era were the absolute worst he said.
I dont mind do some statiscal analysis.
Can someone give a list of about 10 top batsmen from 70s and 80s for comparison. I have time this weekend :P
 
Miandad's record in different countries

in Australia
Innings 28
Runs 1028
Average 38.07
Hundreds 2

in England
Innings 24
Runs 979
Average 46.61
Hundreds 2

in India
Innings 21
Runs 948
Average 49.89
Hundred 0

in New Zealand

Innings 14
Runs 928
Average 77.33
Hundreds 3

in Pakistan
Innings 86
Runs 4481
Average 61.38
Hundreds 14

in Sri Lanka
Innings 4
Runs 63
Average 15.75
Hundred 0

in West Indies
Innings 12
Runs 405
Average 33.75
Hundreds 2


Dude has zero centuries in India, mediocre average of 15, 33 and 38 in Srilanka, Windies and Australia respectively.
If you posted this to show that Maindad had a bad record away from home, than I don’t think you succeeded at it.

Its a well balanced record, he did well in Eng, was exceptional in Nz and Ind, Average record in Aus and Wi.

I will agree that he failed against the top two opponents of his time but so did Dravid and many other ATGs.
 
7. Marnus Labuschagne
Again a home track bully. Ordinary record outside Australia but rarely criticized as he is not from sub continent.

1 century in his last 39 Test innings now.

Didn’t he go through a bit of a charmed life / honeymoon phase at the start as well, where he’d get 2-3 dropped catches and a missed stumping in a fair few of his innings.
 
A phantabulous batting average of 29 against the all dominating West Indies team since the mid 70's, 80's and till the mid 90's. Was that a figment of someone's imagination as well or a cold hard fact?
 
Tests :-

Aus - Hussey( should have averaged 45, a home track bully)
SA - Philander( 26-27 averaging bowler)
Ind - Jadeja ( 28-29 averaging bowler and 33 avg batter)
Eng - None( most of them have poor stats)
Pak - Yousuf( 45-46 averaging batsman)
SL - Mahela (45-46 averaging batsman)
WI - Chanderpaul ( 47 averaging batter)
NZ - Williamson ( 46-47 averaging batter)

I am only listing among top players, so don't think these are bad players, just their stats make them look ATG level but they aren't. There are many others who deserves to average 2-3 lower than what they do but I have listed the ones where the gap is bigger.
If you think Jadejas bowling stats are inflated by tricky pitches than how are you reducing his batting average too?

I can understand that he would be a 28-29 averaging bowler on normal Indian tracks of 2000s but then he would also be a 40 averaging batter on the same tracks.
 
If you think Jadejas bowling stats are inflated by tricky pitches than how are you reducing his batting average too?

I can understand that he would be a 28-29 averaging bowler on normal Indian tracks of 2000s but then he would also be a 40 averaging batter on the same tracks.

Pitches are not the only reason.

Jads has played 44 out of 72 games at home. His 2nd innings record with bat is extremely poor, averaging 14 and 19 in 3rd and 4th inning and you would struggle to mention a single great knock on a turning pitch vs good opponent. He is just a good 1st innings batter and a genuine stat padder.

Most of the overseas spinners that come to India are immature and inexperienced except Lyon. Against Australia in India, Jadeja averages 24 with bat. That's a poor output on turning pitch vs a decent bowling attack. In Australia, he played 4 tests, 2 of them in Sydney and 2 in Melbourne. His bowling figures will suffer if he plays in Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide.

His overseas numbers are good and he has played some vital supporting knocks there, so 33 average seems a fair number when balancing everything.
 
Pitches are not the only reason.

Jads has played 44 out of 72 games at home. His 2nd innings record with bat is extremely poor, averaging 14 and 19 in 3rd and 4th inning and you would struggle to mention a single great knock on a turning pitch vs good opponent. He is just a good 1st innings batter and a genuine stat padder.

Most of the overseas spinners that come to India are immature and inexperienced except Lyon. Against Australia in India, Jadeja averages 24 with bat. That's a poor output on turning pitch vs a decent bowling attack. In Australia, he played 4 tests, 2 of them in Sydney and 2 in Melbourne. His bowling figures will suffer if he plays in Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide.

His overseas numbers are good and he has played some vital supporting knocks there, so 33 average seems a fair number when balancing everything.
Jadeja os batting avg itself 33
 
Javed Miandad, Waqar Younis and Shoaib akhtar live rent free in some Indian minds!
 
In case of all rounders, stats can often be misleading. Here is what I believe is fair output based on batting averages and bowling averages respectively.

Stokes - 36, 34
Jadeja - 33, 28
Shakib - 35, 31
Botham - 35, 28
Kapil - 33, 27
Imran - 33, 23
 
In Test history, there are 198 bowlers who have picked up 100+ wickets.

Among them, Abdul Razzaq and Alzarri Joseph are the only two to not have picked up multiple 5-wicket hauls.
 
In case of all rounders, stats can often be misleading. Here is what I believe is fair output based on batting averages and bowling averages respectively.

Stokes - 36, 34
Jadeja - 33, 28
Shakib - 35, 31
Botham - 35, 28
Kapil - 33, 27
Imran - 33, 23
We do not have an objective parameter to truly judge all rounders. Their role and impact vary from team to team and time to time.
 
Anil Kumble 619 test wickets.
Bowling average of 38,41,40,42,44 in Aus Eng NZ Pak SL.
Ultimate king of unwatered surfaces
38 avg was a pretty decent effort against ATG Aus lineup with high wickets per match very few spinners matched that against that Aus.
Eng, NZ, Pak and Sl numbers are poor.
 
Please check the post above.. before just labelling something just anecdotal!

I haven't even pointed in the stats analysis, that Miandad had ZERO lbw dismissal at home for first 9 years of his career, while 14 outside Pakistan in the same duration!

These are not just anecdotes.
miandad was lbw once in 24 innings in England, were those umpires biased too?

i can say he was given out nearly 40% of the time lbw in india, curiously half the times he made a fifty he was out lbw. so the stats suggest if he got himself in, indian umpires just needed the ball to hit his pad to send him on his way. is that true? who knows, but the point is that just using stats you can make all sorts of arguments.

the majority of home umpires were biased, Pakistanis were no different.
 
Will only talk about current players.

Australia
1) Mitchell Starc: To be fair he was gun in 2015 but he's been crap for nearly 4 years now, and he's taken beating upon besting but his phenomenon stats from 2015 will be misleading and will cover up his stats at the end of his career.

England
1) Johnny Bairstow: He isn't a bad player but his avg of 42 and St of 106 In odi is misleading. He is nowhere near as good as someone like Travis head or QDK. He was mostly a hone condition bully but useless everywhere else.

2) David Malan: again not bad, but that 55 avg is extremely misleading.

South Africa
1) Bavuma: Again an avg of 45 and sr of 90 will make you think he's some Warner level batsmen.

India
1) KL rahul: Again not bad but very very overrated, hes played vital knocks in his career such as bullying pakistan in asia cup but honestly he isnt anything special. Dude failed as an opener to the point even trash heaps like Imam ul haq were superior to him. He did wonders at 5 but even then he's mostly just an odi bat.

2) SKY: Yes people will probs be suprised to hear this, and no I've not been hacked, but SKY is an impact player, not a consistent one. His beauty is in winning games for india when he's on song. That no 1 t20 rank is misleading as he ain't the best t20 batsmen in the world, however he still is top 7. And as for odi he's crap.

Pakistan
1) Babar, Imam and Rizwan easily, don't even need to debate why.

Afghanistan
1) Rashid Khan: Slightly overrated, hes gun but hes a bit hyped regarding his overall stats.

New Zealand
1) Rachin Ravindra easily: His indian wc exploits inflated his avg and sr but otherwise he's okayish, good opening batter but he isnt a once in a generational talent like people are making him out to be.

2) Williamson: Kane Williamson is good if we look at averages but his sr is defo misleading, He ain't a 81 sr bat. He's mostly a misbah era 72-74 SR bat. He's consistent but is pretty impactless. I respect Williamson as a leader though
 
Jaques Kallis especially in ODIs. Always used to derail SA momentum and his career strike rate of 72 despite playing till 2014 is just plain ridiculous.
 
He had a nearly 50 avg in ODI but we all know on many occasions he just used to stat pad the whole inning and in end would hit a few boundaries to show that he tried hard. And against big teams on such occasions majority of the time he used to let his team down.
 
Waqar Younis - He averaged 33 vs Aus, 48 vs Inid, and 27 and 28 vs Enf and SA. Deserved a test avg of around 28 to 30 bur somehow ended up with 26 thanks to the lesser teams.

Nathan Lyon - bowls the same boring line balk after ball and somehow has over 500 wickets. More than what Ashwin has. Got to be a joke of the cricketing gods.
 
He had a nearly 50 avg in ODI but we all know on many occasions he just used to stat pad the whole inning and in end would hit a few boundaries to show that he tried hard. And against big teams on such occasions majority of the time he used to let his team down.
Please tell me this is a joke post.

MS Dhoni has featured in 194 matches in which India batted second.

Of these India won 116 and lost 67.

And MSD averages an unbelievable 102.71 in those 116 matches that India won chasing. Yes you read it right, One hundred and Two point Seven One.

And in thr 67 matches India lost, his average plummets to just 28.56.

It's as clear cut a case you can get for someone who is extremely important in India becoming a consistent force in the shorter version of the game.
 
He had a nearly 50 avg in ODI but we all know on many occasions he just used to stat pad the whole inning and in end would hit a few boundaries to show that he tried hard. And against big teams on such occasions majority of the time he used to let his team down.
I think you're referring to his innings later in his career such as his 2019 game against Nz or his game against England.

In his peak 2007-2012 era he genuinely was a really great batsmen.

His wc 2011 innings in the final is a highlight, he could have easily given his wicket away leaving India for 90-3, but he stuck around till the end.

The only thing i disagree with indian fans on is that some Dhoni fans try to make him into some Butler esc finisher who'd come in and score a 45 ball 100 and make India win games from an impossible position. Dhoni I wasn't like that, Dhoni while chasing typically took the game deep till the last over.

Amd while batting first he would mostly do the same, just bat through and provide India a decent finish
 
Rizwan is the first player who comes to mind and then it’s squeaky :sachin
 
Kumar Sangakkara in all formats.
Dude scored heavily against minnows on superflat tracks of Lanka.
ODI average of 41 is also misleading. I'll take Dilshan, Jayasuriya and Aravinda over him any day.
 
What about Misbah ul Haq??

While statistically a very successful Test captain and batsman, he is often criticized for his slow scoring rate, especially in limited-overs cricket. His style could put pressure on other batters.
 
What about Misbah ul Haq??

While statistically a very successful Test captain and batsman, he is often criticized for his slow scoring rate, especially in limited-overs cricket. His style could put pressure on other batters.
None of his stats suggest he's overrated.

He has an avg of 44 and a sr of 74 in odi. That's pretty spot on. Aka a consistent accumulator but an impactless one.
 
Kumar Sangakkara in all formats.
Dude scored heavily against minnows on superflat tracks of Lanka.
ODI average of 41 is also misleading. I'll take Dilshan, Jayasuriya and Aravinda over him any day.
I disagree here. Dude scored 4 centuries back to back against England.

Although 2015 England sucks as a team so theirs that. But still, the fact that no other batter in history has done that even when top level bats like Warner have played numerous 5 match series against weaker sides does paint a picture.

It's not like every side who faced 2015 England bullied them for 4 games in a row.

And he scored this at the back end of his career.
 
People may dislike it but it's Dhoni
A bit unfair, he kept playing the same style well past his expiry and cost us matches.
His stats reflect also reflect the great chases and rescues he carried out on his own in his prime and that wasn't a short duration and that stint was exceptional.
 
Babar stats are not misleading. His stats highlight there is a issue with his batting style.

For example in T20 he is averaging 41 at a strike rate of 129. This shows as an opener there is not batting intent.

Especially after playing +100 matches it is fair to say he has no power to score boundaries when needed
 
Javagal Srinath.

Would average sub 25 if he only had someone slightly better than Dodda Ganesh, David Johnson, Mohanty, Kuruvilla etc as bowling partner for most part of his test career.
 
Javagal Srinath.

Would average sub 25 if he only had someone slightly better than Dodda Ganesh, David Johnson, Mohanty, Kuruvilla etc as bowling partner for most part of his test career.
Thread is about who is WORSE than their stats suggest ?
 
If you take the longevity out, Tendulkar has lesser impact than what his stats suggest. He would top my list.
 
Our captain pathetic - Babar Azam takes the crown

Misbah-ul-Haq in limited overs was also really poor...

Shaheen Shah Afridi is quite poor also among current players...
 
Sanga

Some posters quote aggregate average in test and ODI for Sanga.

Sanga has around 40% of his test runs against Pakistan, BD and Zim. Some fans may say that Pakistan had gun attack but fact is Pakistan was the easiest place to score runs in 00s. Sanga looked suspect in spinning and swinging tracks in Ind, SA and Eng.


In ODI, he was a bang average for entire decade of 2000s. Avg of 35 and SR of 74. He hit a purple patch after playing ODI for a long time to get his aggregate stats higher in ODI.

A very good player but worse than his aggregate stats in both formats.
 
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