Which great cricketers of the 1990s would have been classed as mediocre by today's standards?

[andy0204]

I am talking about ODI's. Anwar is hyped on PP way too much but the truth is he was bullying mediocre Indian bowlers, he was tailender level against Aussies, South Africans and against WI he had one good series at home on flat pitches but was overall mediocre. Your post shows how nostalgia can create an alternative reality.

David was mediocre in ODI's anyways.

Actually Anwar was better in test than in Odis but he didn't care about it.

 

[tyron_woodley]

90s players are lucky they don't face modern pacers. lot of the so called greats feasted on mediocre attacks. Imagine all those fodders vs steyn, morkel, bumrah, cummins, shami, archer, broad etc.

steyn alone destroys all 90s teams.

In saying that spin quality was better I heard? was it really? swann is better than all those 90s spinners. murali and warne were overrated as hell.
murali was a chucker.
warne did **** all in india.

ashwin and jaddu are probably the greatest spinners of the sub continent.

yasir shah in his prime was just as good and he can bat.

most top modern spinners can hold a bat and slog/play.

 

[Robert]

Can you explain what happened to Lillee on dead Pakistani wickets?

Done that many times, but nobody here wants to learn.

 

[rollingstoned]

i think any like for like comparison has to factor in a pre 2007 and post 2007 time period for when t20 cricket began showing it's effects on the game, particularly ODIs. The number of ATG numbers being put up by batsmen especially in ODIs is too much to be meaningful in any attempt to engage in a like for like comparison with the 90s. Personally i feel the quality of cricket has gone down and not up since the 90s but i admit that is not unbiased as i grew up watching them. [MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] and [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] and their inputs would be much appreciated.
[MENTION=131701]Mamoon[/MENTION] in the subcontinent i don't see our current team beating the one we had in the 90s which was also equally dominant at home. Our batsmen generally played spin much better then.

 

[Manunited18]

90s players are lucky they don't face modern pacers. lot of the so called greats feasted on mediocre attacks. Imagine all those fodders vs steyn, morkel, bumrah, cummins, shami, archer, broad etc.

steyn alone destroys all 90s teams.

In saying that spin quality was better I heard? was it really? swann is better than all those 90s spinners. murali and warne were overrated as hell.
murali was a chucker.
warne did **** all in india.

ashwin and jaddu are probably the greatest spinners of the sub continent.

yasir shah in his prime was just as good and he can bat.

most top modern spinners can hold a bat and slog/play.

So mgrath, gillespie, Donald, pollock, wasim, waqar, Ambrose, Walsh gough, Caddick were mediocre, loooooool.

 

[Hawkeye]

90s players are lucky they don't face modern pacers. lot of the so called greats feasted on mediocre attacks. Imagine all those fodders vs steyn, morkel, bumrah, cummins, shami, archer, broad etc.

steyn alone destroys all 90s teams.

In saying that spin quality was better I heard? was it really? swann is better than all those 90s spinners. murali and warne were overrated as hell.
murali was a chucker.
warne did **** all in india.

ashwin and jaddu are probably the greatest spinners of the sub continent.

yasir shah in his prime was just as good and he can bat.

most top modern spinners can hold a bat and slog/play.

You're either trolling or are just ignorant. Won't be taking your posts seriously in this thread.

90s was a great bowling era. Only Steyn matches that post 2005-10, the caliber of Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, Brett Lee, McGrath, Michael Holding, Ambrose, Allan Donald, some others.

 

[tyron_woodley]

So mgrath, gillespie, Donald, pollock, wasim, waqar, Ambrose, Walsh gough, Caddick were mediocre, loooooool.

all would be trash in current era barring mcgrath and wasim.
All benefited heaps from favourable rules to bowlers. They would get annihilated in odi.

oh wait you mean tests? then great bowlers would be great in any era.

apart from mcgrath, wasim, ambrose, donald and walsh rest would struggle from the list you presented.

lot of things have changed in tests.

 

[tyron_woodley]

You're either trolling or are just ignorant. Won't be taking your posts seriously in this thread.

90s was a great bowling era. Only Steyn matches that post 2005-10, the caliber of Wasim, Waqar, Akhtar, Brett Lee, McGrath, Michael Holding, Ambrose, Allan Donald, some others.

that's a load of ********. I already stated my reasons before. Lot has advanced now. technology, nutrition, science (strength and conditioning), drs, tapes to analyze players, no ball umpires, less scandals as everything is caught on camera.

cummins, bumrah, steyn, rabada, Pattinson, shami etc are every bit as good as past greats.

Don't live in nostalgia.

 

[big_gamer007]

Actually Anwar was better in test than in Odis but he didn't care about it.

That is what I am saying, posters here don't understand the difference between test matches and ODI's. In ODI's he was not that good and if he played in today's era will be mediocre.

 

[Manunited18]

all would be trash in current era barring mcgrath and wasim.
All benefited heaps from favourable rules to bowlers. They would get annihilated in odi.

oh wait you mean tests? then great bowlers would be great in any era.

apart from mcgrath, wasim, ambrose, donald and walsh rest would struggle from the list you presented.

lot of things have changed in tests.

Surely u r trolling, every one of them bowlers are better than anyone that's going around now

 

[Mainul]

The question should be the other way around. 1990s was a very competitive decade for cricket. We had declining, yet competitive WI. We had a good ZIM side. Pakistan, Australia and Sri Lanka won World Cup. India, South Africa and New Zealand weren’t too bad either. So the question is which modern day great would be able to survive the competitive 90s and still be able to maintain their status.

Yes, absolutely. The standard of cricket has fallen a actually. Members who were infant or wasn't born in 90s won't understand this. Some greats of today would have found it difficult in 90s.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Rhodes and Bevan would not be considered special today.

Bevan averaged 50+ facing Wasim, Waqar, Ambrose, Donald, Pollock Saqlain, Murali, etc.

Rhodes was famous for his fielding. Even in the 90s, none rated him as a batsman.

 

[Robert]

Bevan averaged 50+ facing Wasim, Waqar, Ambrose, Donald, Pollock Saqlain, Murali, etc.

Rhodes was famous for his fielding. Even in the 90s, none rated him as a batsman.

He was a fella who would get a clutch fifty after the top order had failed - enough to give Donald and Pollock something to bowl at.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Surely u r trolling, every one of them bowlers are better than anyone that's going around now

No they aren't. How do you know they are? they are just names.

current players are just as good as them. Let them finish their careers first. These guys are playing multiple formats and against good competition. So if anything the current era bowlers will be better.

all the best bowlers of current era will be good in any era.

 

[Ab Fan]

<B>Bevan averaged 50+ facing Wasim, Waqar, Ambrose, Donald, Pollock Saqlain, Murali, etc.</B>

Rhodes was famous for his fielding. Even in the 90s, none rated him as a batsman.

With the old bowl, when the bowlers were relaxed after striking early wickets as they know the new batters will bat slowly now. Really nothing great about what he averaged facing these bowlers in ODI cricket.

Bevan's greatness doesn't lie in the quality of bowling he faced but it was having the calmness and the ability to thrive under pressure when he had to chase say, 100 of 110 balls with 4 wickets in hand in his era.

 

[tyron_woodley]

With the old bowl, when the bowlers were relaxed after striking early wickets as they know the new batters will bat slowly now. Really nothing great about what he averaged facing these bowlers in ODI cricket.

Bevan's greatness doesn't lie in the quality of bowling he faced but it was having the calmness and the ability to thrive under pressure when he had to chase say, 100 of 110 balls with 4 wickets in hand in his era.

In odi it's not even close. modern era trumps past greats. bowlers I mean.

in tests I would still favour 2000-now over 90s

 

[The_Odd_One]

With the old bowl, when the bowlers were relaxed after striking early wickets as they know the new batters will bat slowly now. Really nothing great about what he averaged facing these bowlers in ODI cricket.

Bevan's greatness doesn't lie in the quality of bowling he faced but it was having the calmness and the ability to thrive under pressure when he had to chase say, 100 of 110 balls with 4 wickets in hand in his era.

That was not the case all the time. For example, 1996 World Cup semi-final. Bevan rescued Australia after Ambrose wreaked havoc on top order.

 

[The_Odd_One]

He was a fella who would get a clutch fifty after the top order had failed - enough to give Donald and Pollock something to bowl at.

This is true but he’s never mentioned whenever batting greats of the 90s are discussed. He was a utility player who could easily save 10-15 runs with his fielding and then score 30-35 in late order. Considering the low scoring matches, his contributions were mostly useful.

 

[Manunited18]

In odi it's not even close. modern era trumps past greats. bowlers I mean.

in tests I would still favour 2000-now over 90s

Wasim 500 odi wickets is better than any modern day great odi bowler

 

[Manunited18]

No they aren't. How do you know they are? they are just names.

current players are just as good as them. Let them finish their careers first. These guys are playing multiple formats and against good competition. So if anything the current era bowlers will be better.

all the best bowlers of current era will be good in any era.

Because I've seen them bowlers and I've seen the current lot, it's no comparison, Steyn definitely and maybe Anderson, no one else comes close, that's my opinion

 

[anoop]

90s players are lucky they don't face modern pacers. lot of the so called greats feasted on mediocre attacks. Imagine all those fodders vs steyn, morkel, bumrah, cummins, shami, archer, broad etc.

steyn alone destroys all 90s teams.

In saying that spin quality was better I heard? was it really? swann is better than all those 90s spinners. murali and warne were overrated as hell.
murali was a chucker.
warne did **** all in india.

ashwin and jaddu are probably the greatest spinners of the sub continent.

yasir shah in his prime was just as good and he can bat.

most top modern spinners can hold a bat and slog/play.

Sachin was a 90's batsman and he scored 4 centuries in 5 test matches against Peak Dale steyn in 2010-2011

 

[tyron_woodley]

Because I've seen them bowlers and I've seen the current lot, it's no comparison, Steyn definitely and maybe Anderson, no one else comes close, that's my opinion

of all the bowlers you pick Anderson lol.

bumrah, cummins, shami, broad, rabada will be good in any era.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Sachin was a 90's batsman and he scored 4 centuries in 5 test matches against Peak Dale steyn in 2010-2011

steyn also destroyed india multiple times in india. do your remember the 7 and 6 wicket hauls he had?

he had 4. 2 in india and 2 in south africa.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Wasim 500 odi wickets is better than any modern day great odi bowler

he really isn't. He is just a big name. All of the best modern players are every bit as good as him. wasim would struggle in current era when you have 2 new balls, no ball umpires, drs, flat patta pitches, ball that seldom swings, power play rules.

modern era bowlers are the greatest of all time.

past era batsmen maybe better. Only reason being modern players need to apply themselves to various formats.

 

[anoop]

steyn also destroyed india multiple times in india. do your remember the 7 and 6 wicket hauls he had?

he had 4. 2 in india and 2 in south africa.

Yes but the fact is Sachin scored 4 centuries even then when Steyn was bowling at his best. Clearly a 90's batsman stood up to steyn. 4 centuries in 5 test matches (played in 2010 &11) will always be considered great performance.

 

[andy0204]

Sachin was a 90's batsman and he scored 4 centuries in 5 test matches against Peak Dale steyn in 2010-2011

Even Chanderpaul who was 90's batsman scored 2 centuries and couple half centuries against Peak Steyn in 2008-2010 still this guy will come up with an excuse.

 

[Manunited18]

he really isn't. He is just a big name. All of the best modern players are every bit as good as him. wasim would struggle in current era when you have 2 new balls, no ball umpires, drs, flat patta pitches, ball that seldom swings, power play rules.

modern era bowlers are the greatest of all time.

past era batsmen maybe better. Only reason being modern players need to apply themselves to various formats.

Loooooool, remember the 1992 world cup, 2 new balls , akram in the final was unplayable, 400 test wickets, 500 odi wickets, skill set unrivalled, like i said in this era only Steyn and Anderson can rival him in tests

 

[tyron_woodley]

Loooooool, remember the 1992 world cup, 2 new balls , akram in the final was unplayable, 400 test wickets, 500 odi wickets, skill set unrivalled, like i said in this era only Steyn and Anderson can rival him in tests

only in terms of longevity. In terms of skillset modern players like bumrah, cummins and rabada are just as effective.

Their careers aren't over it.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Yes but the fact is Sachin scored 4 centuries even then when Steyn was bowling at his best. Clearly a 90's batsman stood up to steyn. 4 centuries in 5 test matches (played in 2010 &11) will always be considered great performance.

scoring 4 centuries ? so ? what about the times he single handedly destroyed india? I think he has 5 5 plus wicket hauls overall.

sachin is one of the most selfish batsmen ever. How many matches did we win or draw vs steyn when he scored a century? I remember one draw. that's about it.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Even Chanderpaul who was 90's batsman scored 2 centuries and couple half centuries against Peak Steyn in 2008-2010 still this guy will come up with an excuse.

lol when you get smashed and then talk about their centuries. what difference does his century make when you get obliterated in the series overall?

 

[GrandMaster]

Most of the Indian cricketers were mediocre- Manjrekar, Prabhakar, Binny, Srikanth, Chetan Sharma and the list goes on.

 

[anoop]

scoring 4 centuries ? so ? what about the times he single handedly destroyed india? I think he has 5 5 plus wicket hauls overall.

sachin is one of the most selfish batsmen ever. How many matches did we win or draw vs steyn when he scored a century? I remember one draw. that's about it.

Then your memory is weak. We won the match by an innings in which Sachin scored century and another 90's batsman VVS laxman too scored a century. Your Dale steyn got smacked all over the park with 115/1 figure at last. In one test where Sachin scored century he remained not out too. You are just changing the topic now as you are just losing. First you said that 90's batsman can't face steyn now when we have given facts so you are using filters like "centuries and match won". Fact is Sachin and laxman who were 90's batsman did face steyn and in fact have healthy average against him.

 

[anoop]

lol when you get smashed and then talk about their centuries. what difference does his century make when you get obliterated in the series overall?

It does matter. Test is a game of 11 players and 1 person's effort sometimes do get waste. Chandrapaul faced steyn and made runs. If others couldn't score it was not his fault. BTW chandrapaul was the only player of 90's in that team. Fact is a 90's player was able to face steyn but modern Windies player couldn't perform against him.
You are again running from your initial statement. You said that 90's batsman wouldn't be able to face steyn. Now after getting facts you have changed the goal post.

 

[anoop]

lol when you get smashed and then talk about their centuries. what difference does his century make when you get obliterated in the series overall?

What did dale steyn's bowling achieved against India? What difference his fifers make when he couldn't won a series against India in India or in SA (2010-11)

 

[tyron_woodley]

Then your memory is weak. We won the match by an innings in which Sachin scored century and another 90's batsman VVS laxman too scored a century. Your Dale steyn got smacked all over the park with 115/1 figure at last. In one test where Sachin scored century he remained not out too. You are just changing the topic now as you are just losing. First you said that 90's batsman can't face steyn now when we have given facts so you are using filters like "centuries and match won". Fact is Sachin and laxman who were 90's batsman did face steyn and in fact have healthy average against him.

did we win the series? no. end of story.

one draw in 2011.

draw again 2008. loss in 2012 away.

3 draws and 1 loss. of that 2 were away. 2 draws at home. Not good enough. Steyn was the reason behind the draw. He catapulted south africa into the game every time india thought they moved ahead.

Not denying sachin can't bat. he is the best of the previous era. one of atleast.

Steyn did destroy everyone at his best and lost s few battles as well.

 

[tyron_woodley]

What did dale steyn's bowling achieved against India? What difference his fifers make when he couldn't won a series against India in India or in SA (2010-11)

south africa drawing in india is a huge achievement. australia got smashed 2 0 in 2010 vs india.

2006-2011 india was a great team. to draw twice vs them is an incredible achievement. thanks in large to steyn.

btw laxman was asked who was the toughest bowler he has ever faced. his answer? steyn.

he said he would rather face mcgrath or wasim anyday over steyn. prime steyn was the deadliest bowler ever.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Then your memory is weak. We won the match by an innings in which Sachin scored century and another 90's batsman VVS laxman too scored a century. Your Dale steyn got smacked all over the park with 115/1 figure at last. In one test where Sachin scored century he remained not out too. You are just changing the topic now as you are just losing. First you said that 90's batsman can't face steyn now when we have given facts so you are using filters like "centuries and match won". Fact is Sachin and laxman who were 90's batsman did face steyn and in fact have healthy average against him.

every dog has its day too. There has been days where mcgrath, wasim and other greats got smashed too. My point being that a great bowler from any era will be great in any era. So 90s bowling is not better than current ones. They are names. big names. Current era bowlers are no lesser in comparison in terms of skillset.

People are just too nostalgic to accept the truth. You adapt to the latest rules.

That's why era vs era comparison in general doesn't yield a proper outcome. It's difficult to compare when there are so many attributes to factor in due to changes over the years.

 

[ind_win]

Not many Indian batsmen had good / great stints = 40+ avg in SA barring Sachin (good+underachieved), Laxman (good) and (great) Kohli - Indian bowlers have done reasonably well when compared to their batting counterparts. It is also surprising to see that even Wall Dravid struggled in SA. One of the prime reasons for Indian batting downfall is having weak openers too and having the onus on Dravid to blunt and also score. He did the blunt part alright but not on the scoring front. Same with pujara in this era.

 

[anoop]

south africa drawing in india is a huge achievement. australia got smashed 2 0 in 2010 vs india.

2006-2011 india was a great team. to draw twice vs them is an incredible achievement. thanks in large to steyn.

btw laxman was asked who was the toughest bowler he has ever faced. his answer? steyn.

he said he would rather face mcgrath or wasim anyday over steyn. prime steyn was the deadliest bowler ever.

India drawing a series in SA is also a great achievement. 2008-2014 SA was a great team. Before that we lost every single series there.

 

[nap229]

Ijaz ahmed, amir sohail. Look at these guys averages and SR.

 

[tyron_woodley]

India drawing a series in SA is also a great achievement. 2008-2014 SA was a great team. Before that we lost every single series there.

I know that. But india at home is stronger than south africa at home so them drawing in india in my opinion was a greater achievement. Both were phenomenal teams at their best. very evenly matched.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

I know that. But india at home is stronger than south africa at home so them drawing in india in my opinion was a greater achievement. Both were phenomenal teams at their best. very evenly matched.

India were not this strong at home in those days. It is true that we barely lost a couple of series in the 1987-2013 period but the kind of dominance we have shown since 2013 is unparalleled in our history.

 

[Dingolfy]

I would say most medium pacers from 90’s would have struggled in this era in LOIs where flat wickets are the norm and two new balls makes it easier for batsmen to hit. The likes of Mcgrawth and Shaun Pollock will go for plenty in this era.