Harsh Thakor
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Without doubt in his peak period Don Bradman was head and shoulders above anyone regardless of era.Here I am judging the best batsmen after Don Bradman in his peak era.I am considering level of opposition,impact on games etc. and not only runs and averages.
In my book Sir Viv Richards would receive that accolade.I am including his World Series Packer supertest performances from 1977-79 where he registered 4 centuries.From 1976-81 to me Viv emulated Bradman more than any batsmen ever and often looked like a Bradman re-incarnated.I doubt even Bradman devoured the opposition as much in the moral sense like Viv who at his best looked like a bomber destroying an airbase.In 1975-76 at home against India he averaged over 92 with 3 centuries against a top quality spin attack.In England in 1976 no overseas batsmen ever batted better when he aggregated 829 runs at an average of 118.42.It surpassed the batting of Weekes,Worrell or Sobers and took the art of batting virtually to a higher dimension.In the 1st year of World series cricket in Australia Viv compiled 862 runs at 86.2 including averaging 100 playing for the world xi.His 177 and 170 are ranked amongst the best cricketing knocks of all time.In 1979-80 in Australia Viv averaged 96,50,in England in 1980 63,in Pakistan in 1980 70.7 and at home against England 85.Thus he was equally at home in the seaming English conditions,the fast Australian tracks and the turning sub-continent pitches.His 291 at the Oval in 1976,140 at Brisbane in 1979-80 and 120 at Multan in 1980 testified this.Adding Packer cricket from 1976-81 Viv averaged close to 70 which is remarkable as he faced the likes of bowlers like Lillee,Imran,Botham ,Bedi,Underwood and Willis.If you add his O.D.I performances his career is even more brilliant with his average over over 108 in the 1979 world cup in England and over 85 in the world series cricket tournament in 1979-80 in Australia.Viv's 138 in the 1979 world cup final and unbeaten 153 at Melbourne in the 3 nation cup in Australia will win a permanent place in the annals of one day cricket.Overall more than mere statistics it is the moral impact Viv made against the opposition.No batsmen ever could make such an impact on the complexion of a game than Viv.Imran Khan stated that in 1977-78 Viv even looked in another class when compared to Barry Richards or the Chappell brothers.I can't envisage a batsmen so imperiously dominating the bowlers as Viv ,ever.
Statistically ofcourse Ricky Ponting overshadowed Viv or even Sachin Tendulkar.Ponting and Tendulkar or even Lara had more staggering aggregate runs and centuries.On mere figures Ricky Ponting should be ahead of Viv in peak era.However much more cricket was played in the eras of those batsmen,the pitches had slowed down and there was a restriction on bouncers.Arguably the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Greg Chappell are greater contenders to Viv as performers in peak era.Gavaskar scored 18 centuries at an average of above 59 as an opener for a relatively weak team against the best bowling attacks ever..Considering he faced great pace bowling Greg averaging above 60 from 1975-1981 is also remarkable.In Packer cricket he was the most prolific of batsmen.Rahul Dravid is right up there virtually on par with Ponting considering his remarkable consistency in tests away from home and in a crisis.When a team's back was up to the wall Dravid was better than anyone of his time.Brian Lara's performance of averaging above 60 in his 2 peak eras is also remarkable considering he bore the brunt of such a weak batting team,like no other batsmen after the war..However he is overshadowed by Ponting,Sachin,Waugh and Kallis.statistically.Still if you scale his average percentage score Lara would be right up there.Mohammad Yousuf is a strong contender. considering he championed the cause of Pakistan when it's cricket was virtually in turmoil.He bore the brunt of the weakest of pakistan teams of recent times reminding you of George Headley.Mahela Jayewardene averaged a phenomenal 71 in peak era,but was much more dominant on home pitches.A.B.Devilliers was phenomenal in his peak like Maheal Jayewardene ,both slightly ahead of Kumar Sangakaara and Younis Khan.
In a tentative order of merit this would be my list in peak era after retirement of Don Bradman who is undisputedly the best ever at his peak. .Sorry ,if highly subjective.Excluded George Headley and Walter Hammond as they retired before Bradman.Viv placed on top because of supreme domination,Gavaskar for scoring 18 hundreds against lethal bowling,Tendulkar for supreme brilliance under pressure,Ponting for being a great match-winner,Dravidand Waugh for being the ultimate champions in a crisis ,Lara and Yousuf for championing the cause of the underdog,and Sobers or Hutton who were run making machines.
1.Viv Richards
2.Sunil Gavaskar
3.Sachin Tendulkar
4.Ricky Ponting
5.Brian Lara
6.Rahul Dravid
7.Gary Sobers
8.Len Hutton
9.Mohammad Yousuf
10.Greg Chappell
11.Steve Waugh
12.Jacques Kallis
13.Graeme Pollock
14.Younis Khan
15.Mahela Jayewardene
16.A.B.Devilliers
17.Kumar Sangakaara
18.Alan Border
19.Inzamam Ul Haq
20..Hashim Amla
I recommend pakpassion readers to study the statistics tables posted below and the ratings.I have posted tables analyzing performances in peak 33 tests and over a period of 7 years.Particularly study Ponting,Lara,Viv ,Tendulkar and Gavaskar.
RATING IN CRICKET MONTHLY OF 2016 POSTED BELOW
Peak-33 top ten batsmen Player Team Start date Runs Average 100s 50s
Don Bradman Aus 1928-12-29 4835 102.87 19 8
Viv Richards WI 1976-01-03 3483 72.56 12 15
Rahul Dravid Ind 2002-04-11 3329 72.37 11 12
Steve Waugh Aus 1993-11-26 2876 71.90 9 16
Mahela Jayawardene SL 2006-07-27 3785 71.42 14 9
AB de Villiers SA 2010-06-10 3209 71.31 10 14
Wally Hammond Eng 1928-06-23 3410 71.04 13 9
Garry Sobers WI 1957-08-22 3481 71.04 14 9
Sachin Tendulkar Ind 1997-12-03 3650 70.19 15 12
Jacques Kallis SA 2003-09-04 3438 70.16 13 15
BEST AVERAGES FROM 1999-2006 COMPILED FROM CRICINFO.BY S.RAJESH
Highest Test averages between Jan 1999 and Dec 2006 (Qual: 3000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting 87 8114 65.43 31/ 29
Jacques Kallis 81 7053 62.41 22/ 35
Rahul Dravid 82 7265 59.54 21/ 31
Mohammad Yousuf 66 5954 58.37 22/ 22
Inzamam-ul-Haq 65 5455 56.23 19/ 24
Matthew Hayden 81 7422 55.80 26/ 27
Sachin Tendulkar 71 5837 55.06 18/ 23
Brian Lara 74 7212 54.63 24/ 23
Steve Waugh 58 3818 52.30 15/ 11
Gary Kirsten 53 4197 51.18 14/ 17
Ponting's ru aggregate is staggering but he had the advantage of playing for a great team.Considering the responsibility he had to bear I salute Rahul Dravid.Mohammad Yousuf was remarkable if you consider the plight of Pakistani cricket.Significantly he is ahead of Inzamam or even Sachin and Lara.
Top Test batsmen since November 2001-2007
Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting 62 6501 71.43 25/ 22
Mohammad Yousuf 42 4318 66.43 16/ 15
Jacques Kallis 54 5001 62.51 15/ 27
Rahul Dravid 58 5128 61.78 14/ 25
Brian Lara 51 5420 60.89 19/ 15
Arguably figures unfair to Lara who had to bear the brunt of the weakest of batting sides.Again salute Muhammad Yousuf for overshadowing even Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in terms of batting average.
Best batting averages in Tests since Jan 2006 (Min 4000 runs)Player Tests Inns Runs Average 100s 50s
Kumar Sangakkara 81 144 8578 64.01 30 34
Younis Khan 62 111 5928 61.11 21 18
The above displays why Sangakaara and Younis do not make the top 5 or 10.Neverthless they were super.
VIV RICHARDS
Viv Richards in Tests Matches Innings Runs Average 100s 50s
Overall 121 182 8540 50.23 24 45
1974-1980 40 63 3629 60.48 11 16
1981-1988 62 89 3933 47.38 12 19
1989- 1991 19 30 978 36.22 1 10
Viv Richards in World Series Cricket Matches Innings Runs Average 100 50
14 25 1281 58.23 4 4
VIV RICHARDS IN PEAK ERA
Career averages Span Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 0
Profile
filtered 1976-1981 30 44 2 3158 291 75.19 11 13
Viv played for a champion team but his impact was amazing in shaping the fortunes of his team.He also played star bowlers like Lillee,Botham Willis,Underwood and Imran .
RICKY PONTING'S STATS.
Ricky Ponting's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Till Dec 1998 22 1209 36.63 2/ 7
Jan 1999 to Dec 2006 87 8114 65.43 31/ 29
Jan 2007 onwards 58 4043 40.83 8/ 26
Career 167 13,366 52.21 41/ 62
Ponting in his peak averaged over 65 with 31 centuries.Neverthless he played for a champion side.
SUNIL GAVASKAR STATS.
Sunil Gavaskar's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Debut series 4 774 154.80 4/ 3
July 1971 to Jan 1975 13 693 27.72 1/ 6
Feb 1975 to Jan 1980 45 4434 59.91 18/ 16
Gavaskar averaged almost 60 scoring 18 centuriesfacing truly great bowling attacks.
SACHIN TENDULKAR 'S STATISTICS IN PEAK ERA
Tendulkar's Test career, in blocks of 50 Tests Period Runs Average 100s/ 50s
51-100 Tests Mar 1997-Sep 2002 4967 65.35 19/ 18
an 1997 to Dec 2002 59 5705 63.38 21/ 20
In my book Sir Viv Richards would receive that accolade.I am including his World Series Packer supertest performances from 1977-79 where he registered 4 centuries.From 1976-81 to me Viv emulated Bradman more than any batsmen ever and often looked like a Bradman re-incarnated.I doubt even Bradman devoured the opposition as much in the moral sense like Viv who at his best looked like a bomber destroying an airbase.In 1975-76 at home against India he averaged over 92 with 3 centuries against a top quality spin attack.In England in 1976 no overseas batsmen ever batted better when he aggregated 829 runs at an average of 118.42.It surpassed the batting of Weekes,Worrell or Sobers and took the art of batting virtually to a higher dimension.In the 1st year of World series cricket in Australia Viv compiled 862 runs at 86.2 including averaging 100 playing for the world xi.His 177 and 170 are ranked amongst the best cricketing knocks of all time.In 1979-80 in Australia Viv averaged 96,50,in England in 1980 63,in Pakistan in 1980 70.7 and at home against England 85.Thus he was equally at home in the seaming English conditions,the fast Australian tracks and the turning sub-continent pitches.His 291 at the Oval in 1976,140 at Brisbane in 1979-80 and 120 at Multan in 1980 testified this.Adding Packer cricket from 1976-81 Viv averaged close to 70 which is remarkable as he faced the likes of bowlers like Lillee,Imran,Botham ,Bedi,Underwood and Willis.If you add his O.D.I performances his career is even more brilliant with his average over over 108 in the 1979 world cup in England and over 85 in the world series cricket tournament in 1979-80 in Australia.Viv's 138 in the 1979 world cup final and unbeaten 153 at Melbourne in the 3 nation cup in Australia will win a permanent place in the annals of one day cricket.Overall more than mere statistics it is the moral impact Viv made against the opposition.No batsmen ever could make such an impact on the complexion of a game than Viv.Imran Khan stated that in 1977-78 Viv even looked in another class when compared to Barry Richards or the Chappell brothers.I can't envisage a batsmen so imperiously dominating the bowlers as Viv ,ever.
Statistically ofcourse Ricky Ponting overshadowed Viv or even Sachin Tendulkar.Ponting and Tendulkar or even Lara had more staggering aggregate runs and centuries.On mere figures Ricky Ponting should be ahead of Viv in peak era.However much more cricket was played in the eras of those batsmen,the pitches had slowed down and there was a restriction on bouncers.Arguably the likes of Sunil Gavaskar and Greg Chappell are greater contenders to Viv as performers in peak era.Gavaskar scored 18 centuries at an average of above 59 as an opener for a relatively weak team against the best bowling attacks ever..Considering he faced great pace bowling Greg averaging above 60 from 1975-1981 is also remarkable.In Packer cricket he was the most prolific of batsmen.Rahul Dravid is right up there virtually on par with Ponting considering his remarkable consistency in tests away from home and in a crisis.When a team's back was up to the wall Dravid was better than anyone of his time.Brian Lara's performance of averaging above 60 in his 2 peak eras is also remarkable considering he bore the brunt of such a weak batting team,like no other batsmen after the war..However he is overshadowed by Ponting,Sachin,Waugh and Kallis.statistically.Still if you scale his average percentage score Lara would be right up there.Mohammad Yousuf is a strong contender. considering he championed the cause of Pakistan when it's cricket was virtually in turmoil.He bore the brunt of the weakest of pakistan teams of recent times reminding you of George Headley.Mahela Jayewardene averaged a phenomenal 71 in peak era,but was much more dominant on home pitches.A.B.Devilliers was phenomenal in his peak like Maheal Jayewardene ,both slightly ahead of Kumar Sangakaara and Younis Khan.
In a tentative order of merit this would be my list in peak era after retirement of Don Bradman who is undisputedly the best ever at his peak. .Sorry ,if highly subjective.Excluded George Headley and Walter Hammond as they retired before Bradman.Viv placed on top because of supreme domination,Gavaskar for scoring 18 hundreds against lethal bowling,Tendulkar for supreme brilliance under pressure,Ponting for being a great match-winner,Dravidand Waugh for being the ultimate champions in a crisis ,Lara and Yousuf for championing the cause of the underdog,and Sobers or Hutton who were run making machines.
1.Viv Richards
2.Sunil Gavaskar
3.Sachin Tendulkar
4.Ricky Ponting
5.Brian Lara
6.Rahul Dravid
7.Gary Sobers
8.Len Hutton
9.Mohammad Yousuf
10.Greg Chappell
11.Steve Waugh
12.Jacques Kallis
13.Graeme Pollock
14.Younis Khan
15.Mahela Jayewardene
16.A.B.Devilliers
17.Kumar Sangakaara
18.Alan Border
19.Inzamam Ul Haq
20..Hashim Amla
I recommend pakpassion readers to study the statistics tables posted below and the ratings.I have posted tables analyzing performances in peak 33 tests and over a period of 7 years.Particularly study Ponting,Lara,Viv ,Tendulkar and Gavaskar.
RATING IN CRICKET MONTHLY OF 2016 POSTED BELOW
Peak-33 top ten batsmen Player Team Start date Runs Average 100s 50s
Don Bradman Aus 1928-12-29 4835 102.87 19 8
Viv Richards WI 1976-01-03 3483 72.56 12 15
Rahul Dravid Ind 2002-04-11 3329 72.37 11 12
Steve Waugh Aus 1993-11-26 2876 71.90 9 16
Mahela Jayawardene SL 2006-07-27 3785 71.42 14 9
AB de Villiers SA 2010-06-10 3209 71.31 10 14
Wally Hammond Eng 1928-06-23 3410 71.04 13 9
Garry Sobers WI 1957-08-22 3481 71.04 14 9
Sachin Tendulkar Ind 1997-12-03 3650 70.19 15 12
Jacques Kallis SA 2003-09-04 3438 70.16 13 15
BEST AVERAGES FROM 1999-2006 COMPILED FROM CRICINFO.BY S.RAJESH
Highest Test averages between Jan 1999 and Dec 2006 (Qual: 3000 runs) Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting 87 8114 65.43 31/ 29
Jacques Kallis 81 7053 62.41 22/ 35
Rahul Dravid 82 7265 59.54 21/ 31
Mohammad Yousuf 66 5954 58.37 22/ 22
Inzamam-ul-Haq 65 5455 56.23 19/ 24
Matthew Hayden 81 7422 55.80 26/ 27
Sachin Tendulkar 71 5837 55.06 18/ 23
Brian Lara 74 7212 54.63 24/ 23
Steve Waugh 58 3818 52.30 15/ 11
Gary Kirsten 53 4197 51.18 14/ 17
Ponting's ru aggregate is staggering but he had the advantage of playing for a great team.Considering the responsibility he had to bear I salute Rahul Dravid.Mohammad Yousuf was remarkable if you consider the plight of Pakistani cricket.Significantly he is ahead of Inzamam or even Sachin and Lara.
Top Test batsmen since November 2001-2007
Batsman Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting 62 6501 71.43 25/ 22
Mohammad Yousuf 42 4318 66.43 16/ 15
Jacques Kallis 54 5001 62.51 15/ 27
Rahul Dravid 58 5128 61.78 14/ 25
Brian Lara 51 5420 60.89 19/ 15
Arguably figures unfair to Lara who had to bear the brunt of the weakest of batting sides.Again salute Muhammad Yousuf for overshadowing even Rahul Dravid and Jacques Kallis in terms of batting average.
Best batting averages in Tests since Jan 2006 (Min 4000 runs)Player Tests Inns Runs Average 100s 50s
Kumar Sangakkara 81 144 8578 64.01 30 34
Younis Khan 62 111 5928 61.11 21 18
The above displays why Sangakaara and Younis do not make the top 5 or 10.Neverthless they were super.
VIV RICHARDS
Viv Richards in Tests Matches Innings Runs Average 100s 50s
Overall 121 182 8540 50.23 24 45
1974-1980 40 63 3629 60.48 11 16
1981-1988 62 89 3933 47.38 12 19
1989- 1991 19 30 978 36.22 1 10
Viv Richards in World Series Cricket Matches Innings Runs Average 100 50
14 25 1281 58.23 4 4
VIV RICHARDS IN PEAK ERA
Career averages Span Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave 100 50 0
Profile
filtered 1976-1981 30 44 2 3158 291 75.19 11 13
Viv played for a champion team but his impact was amazing in shaping the fortunes of his team.He also played star bowlers like Lillee,Botham Willis,Underwood and Imran .
RICKY PONTING'S STATS.
Ricky Ponting's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Till Dec 1998 22 1209 36.63 2/ 7
Jan 1999 to Dec 2006 87 8114 65.43 31/ 29
Jan 2007 onwards 58 4043 40.83 8/ 26
Career 167 13,366 52.21 41/ 62
Ponting in his peak averaged over 65 with 31 centuries.Neverthless he played for a champion side.
SUNIL GAVASKAR STATS.
Sunil Gavaskar's Test career Period Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Debut series 4 774 154.80 4/ 3
July 1971 to Jan 1975 13 693 27.72 1/ 6
Feb 1975 to Jan 1980 45 4434 59.91 18/ 16
Gavaskar averaged almost 60 scoring 18 centuriesfacing truly great bowling attacks.
SACHIN TENDULKAR 'S STATISTICS IN PEAK ERA
Tendulkar's Test career, in blocks of 50 Tests Period Runs Average 100s/ 50s
51-100 Tests Mar 1997-Sep 2002 4967 65.35 19/ 18
an 1997 to Dec 2002 59 5705 63.38 21/ 20
