When will Pakistan get a 50 averaging Test batsman?

[Hawkeye]

This is unbelievable. We don't have a single batsman who averages in 50s or even close to it.

The last generation of such batsmen were:

MoYo: 52
Inzamam: ~50
Younis Khan: 52
Misbah ~47

Now the senior most Test batsmen average:

Asad Shafiq: 38
Azhar Ali: 44
Sarfraz: 36 (in 20s last 1 year).


Babar Azam is at 35 with 20 matches.
Haris Sohail is at 40 with 10 matches.


This is really concerning.

We can never, EVER come in the top 3 - 4 unless we have batsmen who can average 50 or close to it.

Does that mean for this entire decade we're going to remain at 5+?

 

[big_gamer007]

Babar Azam should get there by end of his career.. Unless something goes terribly wrong he will get 50 easily.

 

[Ab Fan]

Babar Azam should get there by end of his career.. Unless something goes terribly wrong he will get 50 easily.

50 is not a sureshot yet and us neither as easy. He still has a long way to go.

 

[Majid Khan]

I would suggest that PCB use its influence with ICC and Wisden to get quarter centuries (25s) included as an official batting milestone alongside half-centuries (50s) and centuries (100s).

This would definitely suit the Pakistani batsmen of the current era and be a confidence booster as they can all compete with each other on who can score most quarter centuries outside Asia at least.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

You need 2 48+ averaging batsman to be a top team. I was expecting Haris but his career is blocked by injuries.

 

[babajee]

Babar will average 45+ at least.

 

[TalentSpotterPk]

If Pakistan play most of their cricket in UAE in future aswell than I expect


Babar, Haris (fitness), Saad & Saud to average 50 plus in Test Cricket.


Babar has the capacity and capability to average 50 plus after playing 15 more Tests.

 

[big_gamer007]

50 is not a sureshot yet and us neither as easy. He still has a long way to go.

He plays his home matches in UAE.. He will only improve and gain confidence so 50 should be feasible.. I think he will go YK route will have few good knocks abroad but totally dominate at home.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Not anyone from the current lot.

Our domestic pitches arent good enough for long innings and strokeplay at the same time.

 

[TM Riddle]

Babar Azam should get there by end of his career.. Unless something goes terribly wrong he will get 50 easily.

Great batsmen like Amla and Cook fell short of the target by some distance and what makes you think Bobby would get there at the end of his career when he hasn't even properly established himself in the format?

 

[Chief Destroyer]

Great batsmen like Amla and Cook fell short of the target by some distance and what makes you think Bobby would get there at the end of his career when he hasn't even properly established himself in the format?

Amla did average above 50 for most of his career.

 

[big_gamer007]

Great batsmen like Amla and Cook fell short of the target by some distance and what makes you think Bobby would get there at the end of his career when he hasn't even properly established himself in the format?

He plays in UAE, he is young and if his mind remains in right place will only improve.. Playing in UAE has its benefits that you can score big like daddy hundreds like YK used to score.. Cook and Amla play in conditions where even if they are set always have a chance to get that one ball which will get them back to pavillion.. Also I believe Cook and Amla both are openers? Or Amla doesn't open? Either way if opener then it's much more difficult to average 50, Babar shouldn't face this issue unless he is made to open.

 

[TM Riddle]

Amla did average above 50 for most of his career.

The poster was talking in the context of his overall career when it ends.

 

[Amjid Javed]

If pakistan sticks to only playing WI, SL, bangla, zim, ireland and Aghans only are batsmen might end with decent averages.

 

[Chief Destroyer]

The poster was talking in the context of his overall career when it ends.

He's talking about having a player that can score heavily which Amla did not what his stats are at the end of his career.

 

[TM Riddle]

He plays in UAE, he is young and if his mind remains in right place will only improve.. Playing in UAE has its benefits that you can score big like daddy hundreds like YK used to score.. Cook and Amla play in conditions where even if they are set always have a chance to get that one ball which will get them back to pavillion.. Also I believe Cook and Amla both are openers? Or Amla doesn't open? Either way if opener then it's much more difficult to average 50, Babar shouldn't face this issue unless he is made to open.

Amla didn't open in the longer formats afaik. Besides the comparison with YK isn't fair at all. Younis was one of the greatest Pakistani batsmen to play the game and carrying on his legacy won't be easy esp considering Bobby would have to focus on all 3 formats of the game+PSL. Also he bats way too down in the tests to sustain that much average for a longer period of time. Unless Pakistani management promotes him up the order and manages his workload efficiently it would be a great effort if he could be able to maintain a 45+ average let alone 50.
Not everyone can be Virat Kohli.

 

[TM Riddle]

He's talking about having a player that can score heavily which Amla did not what his stats are at the end of his career.

I was talking about big gamer Yar

 

[big_gamer007]

Amla didn't open in the longer formats afaik. Besides the comparison with YK isn't fair at all. Younis was one of the greatest Pakistani batsmen to play the game and carrying on his legacy won't be easy esp considering Bobby would have to focus on all 3 formats of the game+PSL. Also he bats way too down in the tests to sustain that much average for a longer period of time. Unless Pakistani management promotes him up the order and manages his workload efficiently it would be a great effort if he could be able to maintain a 45+ average let alone 50.
Not everyone can be Virat Kohli.

I think eventually he will settle down at number 4.. It's not about comparison with YK he's a legend and Babar ATM is no where near him however my point is Babar has a very strong case of emulating YK like career but it will depend on how much hard work he puts in.. Whether he achieves it or not only time will tell but imo he has a very good chance of ending his career with 50+ average unless he screws it up himself like his family members

 

[Wristy_Shuffler]

It will take a while. Cricket has to return to Pakistan for one thing and they need to play more Tests per year. UAE is not home, it will never be home. If you take out matches played in Pakistan and India, the averages of all our previous 50+ ave batsmen would fall just below 50. 8/9 Tests per year is not enough, especially if there's no home cricket and the squad has 4-5 Test specialists who get 18 innings in one calendar year at most often with huge gaps of no high class cricket in between.

It will take a special cricketer to hit 50+ with the way things are.

 

[big_gamer007]

He's talking about having a player that can score heavily which Amla did not what his stats are at the end of his career.

I was talking about big gamer Yar

I meant that its difficult to score daddy hundreds in places like SA because even you are let's say batting on 50 or 60 there might be a ball which has your name on it.. However in UAE conditions if your concentration is proper you can score big hundreds.
This is very important in having a high batting average.. Babar has that benefit, so he has good chance of 50+

 

[Hitman]

Inzamam averages less than 50 in international cricket.

 

[Fahdi]

Babar will probably get his average above 45 at least. But I have faith he can get his average near 50 in the next 2 years.

 

[barah_admi]

Babar is on his way.

I think, and I know I will be very unpopular for saying this, Imam has the temperament and grit to grind out test innings, if he is correctly supported. He could end up with an average approaching 45 which would be very good for an opener.

The problem is, a lot of the top performing FC batsmen are not being picked in the side, for whatever reason.

 

[Rana]

Well the way to do it is to pile up the runs at home. Score 300-500 runs a series at home on the flat UAE tracks, that will cover up the failures and the occasional good innings on away tours. You will still end up with a healthy average by the end of the year

 

[Hawkeye]

If Pakistan play most of their cricket in UAE in future aswell than I expect


Babar, Haris (fitness), Saad & Saud to average 50 plus in Test Cricket.


Babar has the capacity and capability to average 50 plus after playing 15 more Tests.

It's impossible to go from 35 to 50+ in 15 matches. Even if every match is in the UAE, still difficult.

You're far too optimistic about those averages, it doesn't work like that in reality.

Inzamam averages less than 50 in international cricket.

Um what? He's 50 in Tests. One of the best bats from Asia.

Now let's not drag this thread off topic.

 

[Hitman]

Um what? He's 50 in Tests. One of the best bats from Asia.

Now let's not drag this thread off topic.

It's 49.60, not 50.

 

[Rayyman]

Impossible in UAE these days. Every pitch is non supportive to batsman. Wasn't the case a few years back.

 

[Muhammad10]

Shan Masood has the ingredients and the work ethic. In shaa Allah, he and Babar, the Steyn remover, can average 40-45+.

 

[Napa]

Babar Azam should get there by end of his career.. Unless something goes terribly wrong he will get 50 easily.

Only if something goes terribly right will he be able to raise his average from the current 35 to an average of Gavaskar and Richards.

 

[big_gamer007]

Only if something goes terribly right will he be able to raise his average from the current 35 to an average of Gavaskar and Richards.

Nah I think he will get there by end of his career if he keeps working hard and dedicated.. Gavaskar and Richards were different generation can't compare them to Babar.. Moreover Gavaskar was an opener so that itself is much harder than being a middle order bat.

I think Babar will follow YK type career where he will boost his average by scoring big hundreds in UAE.. I am not sure if he has appetite like YK to stay on crease and score big hundreds but if he doesn't have that attitude to make 150+ scores to boost average then he will fall short.. If he has that appetite then he should be able to achieve 50+ as long as he doesn't lose his way like his cousins.

 

[Muhammad10]

Only if something goes terribly right will he be able to raise his average from the current 35 to an average of Gavaskar and Richards.

Something already went "terribly right" for a year, as he averaged 56 in 2018. It's almost as if a young batsman's first 11 Test matches aren't a large enough sample size to write him off...

 

[Shandarchowka]

Great batsmen like Amla and Cook fell short of the target by some distance and what makes you think Bobby would get there at the end of his career when he hasn't even properly established himself in the format?

Cook is a bang average batsman who had a good defensive technique. So expected to average less than 50. Amla's average dropped in recent years unfortunately. He is one of the modern day greats and has every right to average more than 50. I believe Babar is in the mould of Amla and he will average more than 50 after 10-15 more tests. You should watch how he is scoring so easily against South African bowlers in the toughest of conditions. He has done better than the likes of Pujara in their first 2 tours to South Africa. A great in the making.

 

[Shandarchowka]

I just have one honest request to team management. Please make Babar bat at #4 instead of #6. He can score many more runs at 4 and he is not really suited to play with tailenders. The team's best batsman should bat at #4. Look at Kohli, Root, Smith. Babar belongs to that category.

 

[Varun]

Cook is a bang average batsman who had a good defensive technique. So expected to average less than 50. Amla's average dropped in recent years unfortunately. He is one of the modern day greats and has every right to average more than 50. I believe Babar is in the mould of Amla and he will average more than 50 after 10-15 more tests. You should watch how he is scoring so easily against South African bowlers in the toughest of conditions. He has done better than the likes of Pujara in their first 2 tours to South Africa. A great in the making.

Pujara scored a big 150 at Durban in the 2013 tour of South Africa.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Pujara scored a big 150 at Durban in the 2013 tour of South Africa.

On a flat wicket. Babar has scored some tough runs in this tour and this is just his first.

 

[Varun]

On a flat wicket. Babar has scored some tough runs in this tour and this is just his first.

It takes a flat wicket to score a big hundred. If it isn't flat, it will be flat by the time you score your 150th run.

So that's not a valid argument.

 

[Nabeel23]

Cook is a bang average batsman who had a good defensive technique. So expected to average less than 50. Amla's average dropped in recent years unfortunately. He is one of the modern day greats and has every right to average more than 50. I believe Babar is in the mould of Amla and he will average more than 50 after 10-15 more tests. You should watch how he is scoring so easily against South African bowlers in the toughest of conditions. He has done better than the likes of Pujara in their first 2 tours to South Africa. A great in the making.

How was Cook bang average???

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Babar is our best prospect because he's young, has time on his hands and has already started finding his feet in test cricket. How good he is in 3-4 years time will give a clearer picture whether he can average 50 or not.

 

[JaDed]

Cook is a bang average batsman who had a good defensive technique. So expected to average less than 50. Amla's average dropped in recent years unfortunately. He is one of the modern day greats and has every right to average more than 50. I believe Babar is in the mould of Amla and he will average more than 50 after 10-15 more tests. You should watch how he is scoring so easily against South African bowlers in the toughest of conditions. He has done better than the likes of Pujara in their first 2 tours to South Africa. A great in the making.

Pant had a better first Aus tour than Babar...just for your logic...Babar averaged 11...(6 innings) but you won't see people bringing that up as a plus point for Pant..just saying.

 

[HappyWarsFan]

I'm not sure about 50+ that will be hard. I think however, Babar Azam and Saad Ali could average 47+.

 

[Napa]

Something already went "terribly right" for a year, as he averaged 56 in 2018. It's almost as if a young batsman's first 11 Test matches aren't a large enough sample size to write him off...

1) Azam has already played 19, and not 11 Test matches, and that includes an awful lot of matches against teams like NZ, WI, SL and Ireland. His average currently is 35.

2) You are expecting him to reach the level of say, someone like Gavaskar who averaged 154 after his first series which he played against the 3rd ranked team in their home.

3) It is possible Babar will make it all the way to a 50 average, but at this point it is not impossible, but unlikely. Given his current average of 35, If he played a 100 more matches, he would have to average about 53 the rest of the way to get to a 50 overall average.

 

[Napa]

Cook is a bang average batsman who had a good defensive technique. So expected to average less than 50. Amla's average dropped in recent years unfortunately. <b>He is one of the modern day greats and has every right to average more than 50.</b> I believe Babar is in the mould of Amla and he will average more than 50 after 10-15 more tests. You should watch how he is scoring so easily against South African bowlers in the toughest of conditions. He has done better than the likes of Pujara in their first 2 tours to South Africa. A great in the making.

No player has a right to anything. Players <b>earn</b> a 50 average by the game they play. If they don't have one, all it means is that they could not play well enough.

Good luck to Babar, however if he is to average > 50 after the next 15 matches, he will have to average around 68, which would be one of the greatest stretches of 15 matches for a player in history.

 

[Markhor]

You cannot expect domestic batsmen averaging in the 30s and 40s to become 50s averaging Test batsmen.

The root cause is this. Batting requires long hours in the middle to gain experience of constructing long innings. However young batsmen aren't gaining that experience batting on uneven, damp wickets in Northern Punjab in Nov-Dec. These matches are a lottery, not opportunities to score double hundreds.

It's not a coincidence we've stopped producing 50+ averaging Test batsmen since PCB mandated green domestic wickets in the mid-2000s.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Pant had a better first Aus tour than Babar...just for your logic...Babar averaged 11...(6 innings) but you won't see people bringing that up as a plus point for Pant..just saying.

Babar faced a different Aussie team. The team which had its batting leaders. The bowlers drew confidence and were firing all cylinders that series. Pujara made sure the bowlers were tired by the time Pant came to bat and hence he reaped the rewards. Apples and oranges. Just saying.

 

[Shandarchowka]

How was Cook bang average???

Yes he was. But he had very good defense. His skill was to see off new ball and he was good at that.

 

[JaDed]

Babar faced a different Aussie team. The team which had its batting leaders. The bowlers drew confidence and were firing all cylinders that series. Pujara made sure the bowlers were tired by the time Pant came to bat and hence he reaped the rewards. Apples and oranges. Just saying.

Lol exactly you answered it youreself ,you should had kepy Pujara away from your logic as well, this team of Saffers is diff as well.

Also remember Pant scored a ton in England and he was still averaging 20 more than Babar before this test, so don't bring in Pujara and Babar in your silly first tour discussion coz its apples and oranges.

 

[Zaz]

im optimistic babar will be He seems to have a good head on his shoulders to go with his talent

im pretty hopeful that within the next 18 months or so he will be avging 50 for pakistan in test cricket

 

[Abdullah]

Haris
Babar
Shaan

 

[Shandarchowka]

No player has a right to anything. Players <b>earn</b> a 50 average by the game they play. If they don't have one, all it means is that they could not play well enough.

Good luck to Babar, however if he is to average > 50 after the next 15 matches, he will have to average around 68, which would be one of the greatest stretches of 15 matches for a player in history.

If not 15, Babar can break 50 test average barrier in 20 matches, hope you got it.

Amla is indeed unlucky. He had a couple of tough years but yeah, every batsman will have these phases.

 

[Shandarchowka]

Lol exactly you answered it youreself ,you should had kepy Pujara away from your logic as well, this team of Saffers is diff as well.

Also remember Pant scored a ton in England and he was still averaging 20 more than Babar before this test, so don't bring in Pujara and Babar in your silly first tour discussion coz its apples and oranges.

Babar has faced tougher conditions than Pujara in his first tour. Pant scored at Oval which was prepared for Cook's farewell. Even that is in a losing cause. Nothing to write home about.

 

[JaDed]

Babar has faced tougher conditions than Pujara in his first tour. Pant scored at Oval which was prepared for Cook's farewell. Even that is in a losing cause. Nothing to write home about.

Lol how salty can you get and you didn't want to included in that bracket.Guess the concept of apples and oranges doesn't suit whne Babar seems to be on losing side eh

 

[topspin]

If Babar is to average 50, it will probably take him at 3 years but it is doable. My prediction is he will end his career with an average 45 with a SR of 55 and between 20 to 25 test tons.

 

[Ganju Baba]

LOL you know your guy is nothing special when you have to explain (make up) how his knocks in losing match should be counted but not the other guy's.

 

[Muhammad10]

1) Azam has already played 19, and not 11 Test matches, and that includes an awful lot of matches against teams like NZ, WI, SL and Ireland. His average currently is 35.

2) You are expecting him to reach the level of say, someone like Gavaskar who averaged 154 after his first series which he played against the 3rd ranked team in their home.

3) It is possible Babar will make it all the way to a 50 average, but at this point it is not impossible, but unlikely. Given his current average of 35, If he played a 100 more matches, he would have to average about 53 the rest of the way to get to a 50 overall average.

I was referring to the 11 matches he had played prior to averaging 56 for a year. So far, he has been a success in Test cricket barring those first 11 matches, during which he was probably finding his feet in the longer format.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

The way its going they'll never get one as they don't play enough to get one.

 

[Finisher]

Inzamam averages less than 50 in international cricket.

Averages 50 for Pakistan. Played 1 test for Rest Of world vs Australia which takes it under 50.

 

[Napa]

If not 15, Babar can break 50 test average barrier in 20 matches, hope you got it.

Amla is indeed unlucky. He had a couple of tough years but yeah, every batsman will have these phases.

You sure have some funny excuses. Going by your logic every batsman deserves a higher average than they have because everyone has some "tough years".

Sorry to dash your hopes, but I didn't get Babar is going to average 50 after 20 more matches. He would have to average about 65 for that to happen, and that is unlikely.

 

[Napa]

The way its going they'll never get one as they don't play enough to get one.

The easiest way to get to a high average is to play a small number of games with a large percentage of them minnows

 

[Rishta Aunty]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

 

[Imi Imaad]

One and only Babar Azam

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Babar Azam should get there by end of his career.. Unless something goes terribly wrong he will get 50 easily.

He might have if he debuted in earlier this decade. Recently pitches have become much harder for batting worldwide. Also most teams have become competitive so no more bullying.

 

[Sin Nombre]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Excellent post.

Kohli's 54 would be a 60 a generation back.

Ridiculously large number of pacers and spinners averaging sub-25 currently.

 

[Ganju Baba]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Very well put.

 

[big_gamer007]

He might have if he debuted in earlier this decade. Recently pitches have become much harder for batting worldwide. Also most teams have become competitive so no more bullying.

It is tough but there are batsmen like kohli, Smith, Williamson who still maintain the average even now. Babar has talent and potential to reach the level of these batsmen, he just needs right mentorship.

 

[Mani Shah]

We have some talent in our batting time but these players don't have the mental strength of Kohli, Smith, Williamson, Root etc. They need to spend some time with these modern time greats to learn.

 

[Hitman]

Averages 50 for Pakistan. Played 1 test for Rest Of world vs Australia which takes it under 50.

He himself was whining 24/7 initially when he wasn't selected in the Rest Of the World XI. ICC let him and everyone else know beforehand that it'll be considered an international Test match. Finally when SRT didn't recover from his tennis elbow injury, he was selected in his place.

And he returned with figures of 0 and 1 in that Test. Not surprising since it was against Australia.

 

[ARK Rafay]

Had Fawad Alam been playing. He would be averaging 50+

 

[JaDed]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Top post.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

Excellent post.

Kohli's 54 would be a 60 a generation back.

Ridiculously large number of pacers and spinners averaging sub-25 currently.

Very well put.

Top post.

Thanks guys! Good to back on this board after almost six months, though in less than ideal circumstances considering how our SA tour is going.

Kohli's performance on the SA/England wickets in particular have established him as an ATG talent. I'd actually argue that in some ways Smith has benefited (at least average) wise from not being around recently.

 

[Mamoon]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Root averages 50+ too, so that makes it five active batsmen.

Great post though.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

Root averages 50+ too, so that makes it five active batsmen.

Great post though.

That's fair! Just checked and he's at 50.44. Thought he had just dropped below with his poor run. Will change the post to reflect that.

 

[Mamoon]

That's fair! Just checked and he's at 50.44. Thought he had just dropped below with his poor run. Will change the post to reflect that.

His average dropped by 5-6 points because his centuries dried up. However, he will get it back to the 54-55 range eventually. Too good not to.

 

[Rishta Aunty]

His average dropped by 5-6 points because his centuries dried up. However, he will get it back to the 54-55 range eventually. Too good not to.

I think that's a function of what kind of wickets we see in tests moving forward as much as Root's inherent class. If 2018 is a reference, maintaining the current average is going to be a task by itself.

 

[Hawkeye]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Although a good post, I don't fully agree.

There are at least 5 batsmen who still average above 50.

And

If others have not been able to do it, it doesn't mean bowlers or their quality is now better than before.

It actually points to poor batting standards, low quality batsmen coming up. We have guys like Asad Shafiq and Azhar who play majority of their matches on UAE pitches where they should be making double hundreds.

Or at least hundreds. Like Younis and Misbah were doing.

But they cannot. Giving an impression that pitches are bad or bowling is good.

Similarly Babar Azam and Harris average above 50 last 1 year. It's because they're good batsmen and in good form.

 

[rudra]

I don't think people realize how much the balance has shifted back towards the bowlers in the past two years or so. Except for Australia (and even that has changed this series), most countries prepare spicy wickets. Someone like Smith would average significantly lower than his 2012-2016 peak where wickets were the flattest for a generation.

Some stats to back that up (from a well known cricket site's article that I'm quoting here):
- The cumulative average of the top-seven has fallen year-on-year from 57 in 2016 to 40 in 2018.
- Only four active batsman average 50+ (Smith, Kohli, Williamson, Pujara). Was 15 last decade.
- The number of centuries to five wicket hauls has changed from 110/50 in 2014 to 68/71 in 2018. There were more five-wicket hauls than centuries last year.
- There are no terrible bowling attacks anymore. India is up there today and even Bangladesh have two quality bowlers (Mustafizur and Mehdi)


I think we need to reevaluate what is the average of a top-class batsman. I'd argue that 40-45 is a good batsman, while 45+ is a world-class batsman. People who average 50+, will go down as ATG's when they retire.

Great revealing stats.
Thats why longevity is important, there are different phases that you need to pass through.
If you be among best consistently for 15 years, then you deserve the tag ATG.

 

[Hawkeye]

Babar will probably get his average above 45 at least. But I have faith he can get his average near 50 in the next 2 years.

If Babar is to average 50, it will probably take him at 3 years but it is doable. My prediction is he will end his career with an average 45 with a SR of 55 and between 20 to 25 test tons.

50 average for Babar from this point forward is too difficult.

19-20 Tests at 35 average means he'll need to become a Bradman in every match to get to above 50.

That's not happening, very slim chance. Such a sad reality because of his poor start to test matches.

Can get to mid 40s indeed.

 

[rudra]

Ponting was averaging 40 after 45 tests.
Kohli was averaging 39 after 29 tests.

 

[Hawkeye]

Babar will probably get his average above 45 at least. But I have faith he can get his average near 50 in the next 2 years.

Ponting was averaging 40 after 45 tests.
Kohli was averaging 39 after 29 tests.

Kohli s numbers are just wow.

Now gotta change my opinion. If Kohli can do it then probably Babar too can. Needs to do exceptionally well though...

Still think reaching 50 is difficult.

 

[Fahdi]

Kohli s numbers are just wow.

Now gotta change my opinion. If Kohli can do it then probably Babar too can. Needs to do exceptionally well though...

Still think reaching 50 is difficult.

Tendulker's average was 37 after 20 matches. By match 40 he was averaging 52.

20 matches might be too soon but Babar can get there in 23-24 matches.

 

[Ganju Baba]

If others have not been able to do it, it doesn't mean bowlers or their quality is now better than before.

More teams have a good bowling attack than there were 1 or 2 decades ago. Even Pakistan's pace attack was best in 2018 since 1994.