The Lottery Ticket

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Cook has played 160 matches before his 34th birthday.

Like in many other fields, this is just a lottery of where you are born.

All other things being equal (form, fitness, selection) in the same timespan, Pakistan, NZ or even SA players will be lucky to have played 100.

As per FTP, in the next 5 years, England will play 59 tests while South Africa and NZ will play 38, Pakistan 40. India will play 83 ODIs, Pakistan 61.

Taking out exceptions (Warne or Tendular will be greats whether they play 200 tests or 100 tests,), cricket stats for most runs, wickets, catches and all associated stuff has always been loaded against the weaker countries - and will continue to do so.

This thread is not a lament. It happens in all sports and so it happens in cricket too. Most records will be the domain of the richer, more organized nations. The others will produce greats too - but those will be judged on their brilliance based on the limited opportunities they can display their craft. Rarely will they have weight of numbers behind them.

I am not saying Rabada will not be able to surpass Anderson or Fakhar Zaman will not be able to surpass Warner, I am just saying this: they will have to do it in 40 less games.

It's just the lottery ticket - they don't have it.

 

[gazza619]

Yes that is a valid point. Though you can also say that Cook depreciated faster by playing all those matches per year and you can see now he is retiring so young.

More games also means more challange to main the fitness and the form..,

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

This thread is not a lament. It happens in all sports and so it happens in cricket too. Most records will be the domain of the richer, more organized nations. The others will produce greats too - but those will be judged on their brilliance based on the limited opportunities they can display their craft. Rarely will they have weight of numbers behind them.

You are right. And that's what life is, ain't it? We all try to make best of the cards we are served. Be it genes, wealth, intellect etc.

 

[Corridor of Uncertainty]

Yes that is a valid point. Though you can also say that Cook depreciated faster by playing all those matches per year and you can see now he is retiring so young.

More games also means more challange to main the fitness and the form..,

Or he played 160 games when he was young and fit - and not plodding asking at 41. A Pakistani cannot dream of that number so young - or even reach that 160 number. Therefore for me, "most" of anything in cricket stats is almost meaningless. Again no lament, just perspective.