Harsh Thakor
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- Oct 1, 2012
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In reply to the thread on Syclyd Berry I wish to place my views.I was alarmed that he reduced the debate between just W.G.Grace and Ian Botham.Both were geniuses but what about the likes of Hobbs ,Hammond,Woolley,Hutton etc.To me in order Hobbs,Hammond and Barnes are ahead.Even experts like John Woodcock,Geoff Armstrong and Cristopher Martin Jenkins all agreed that all my mentioned names were ahead of Botham.To me Boths would just edge Len Hutton and Denis Compton.
This would be my top 5 in order of merit.
1.WG Grace
equivalent of a cricketing immortal whose feats on the cricket field were more legendary than any one .Not a joke to score an unbeaten 344 on a wicket of uncut grass,aggregate 1000 runs and take 100 wickets 8 times,aggregate 54896 runs as wel as 2876 wickets and score over 1000 runs 28 times in a season .Strode on the field like an emperor.
2.Jack Hobbs
Arguably the best of all batsmen if you ***** Bradman's performances on wet tracks.No batsmen ever has aggregated 61237 runs,scored 197 centuries ,scored more than 100 first class centuries after the age of 40 o rparticipated in 1666 century partnerships.
3.Walter Hammond
Close to the most punishing and agressive batsmen of all time but unfortunate to play in era of Bradman.Took domination of bowling to a zenith difficult to surpass commanding proceedings like a bulldozer in the middle.On par with Viv Richards.Never forget in addition to scoring 7249 runs Hammond captured 85 wickets.He was an al-rounder in his own right.
4.Sydney Barnes
The equivalent of a Bradman to bowling capturing 7 wickets per test at an average of around 19.Could be the most daunting of all bowlers even if he was not genuine quick.
5.Ian Botham
At his best virtually a re-incarnation of Sir Garfield performances and his best match and series efforts surpassed even Sobers.Botham at his best could win games more than any all-rounder but fell out because of lack of consistency.From 1977-82 Botham 's performance was 2nd to only Sobers.At his best Botham literally created the impact of a hurricane and could swing the fortunes of a match more than any player.If I had to pick a player who could create the equivalent of a total reversal of a polt in a film I would choose Botham.Botham was sadly not at his best against West Indies.
This would be my top 5 in order of merit.
1.WG Grace
equivalent of a cricketing immortal whose feats on the cricket field were more legendary than any one .Not a joke to score an unbeaten 344 on a wicket of uncut grass,aggregate 1000 runs and take 100 wickets 8 times,aggregate 54896 runs as wel as 2876 wickets and score over 1000 runs 28 times in a season .Strode on the field like an emperor.
2.Jack Hobbs
Arguably the best of all batsmen if you ***** Bradman's performances on wet tracks.No batsmen ever has aggregated 61237 runs,scored 197 centuries ,scored more than 100 first class centuries after the age of 40 o rparticipated in 1666 century partnerships.
3.Walter Hammond
Close to the most punishing and agressive batsmen of all time but unfortunate to play in era of Bradman.Took domination of bowling to a zenith difficult to surpass commanding proceedings like a bulldozer in the middle.On par with Viv Richards.Never forget in addition to scoring 7249 runs Hammond captured 85 wickets.He was an al-rounder in his own right.
4.Sydney Barnes
The equivalent of a Bradman to bowling capturing 7 wickets per test at an average of around 19.Could be the most daunting of all bowlers even if he was not genuine quick.
5.Ian Botham
At his best virtually a re-incarnation of Sir Garfield performances and his best match and series efforts surpassed even Sobers.Botham at his best could win games more than any all-rounder but fell out because of lack of consistency.From 1977-82 Botham 's performance was 2nd to only Sobers.At his best Botham literally created the impact of a hurricane and could swing the fortunes of a match more than any player.If I had to pick a player who could create the equivalent of a total reversal of a polt in a film I would choose Botham.Botham was sadly not at his best against West Indies.
