Who were the best Number 6 batsmen ever in Test cricket?

[Harsh Thakor]

In this list I am selecting the best ever batsmen to bat at no 6 position in test cricket in order of merit.Considered only performances at no 6 position.

1.Gary Sobers
2.V.V.S.Laxman
3.Alan Border
4.Steve Waugh
5.Doug Walters
6.Asif Iqbal
7.Clive lloyd
8.Salim Malik
9.Jeremy Coney
10..Wasim Raja



Gary Sobers has the indisputable position at no 1 with his great average in all conditions as well as the manner he executed them.

V.V.S. is 2nd because of his staggering match-wining scores batting with tail enders,in run chases.Took India across the line more than even Tendulkar or Dravid and was the best batsmen in run chases.Simply creativity and artistry personified.

Alan Border revealed ability to master turning wickets at no 6 when scoring 2 150's at Lahore in 1980 as well as weather a storm when scoring an unbeaten 123 at Manchester in 1981 with a broken finger.No batsmen was better to bat for your life in this spot who reminded one of a surgeon.

Steve Waugh laid the base for the Renaissance in Australian cricket in the 1981 Ashes in England when he averaged above 90 with an unbeaten 177 and 152.Rescued Australia on many an occassion at this position,brilliantly blending attack and defence.

Doug Walters was a master on bouncy wickets being most prolific against West Indies home and away but was unsuccessful on the seaming English tracks.Asif Iqbal was the best batsmen at no 6 after the retirement of Sobers playing classic innings in Australia and West Indies in 1976-77.

Asif Iqbal was master in batting with tail-enders which he demonstrated when scoring a match-saving unbeaten 152 at Brisbane in 1976-77 and match -wining 120 at Sydney.One of the best batsmen in a crisis who could give dazzling exhibition of strokeplay in the most precarious of situations.

Clive Lloyd from 1981 outscored even the great Viv Richards like at home v England and against India in 1983-84 away and home.His unbeaten 161 in record 9th wicket partnership with Andy Roberts sealed a series victory for his team in India in 1983-84.


Salim Malik could be class act as he demonstrated when scoring 99 at Leeds in most adverse conditions with the ball moving all around the place.

Jeremy Coney scored 174 against the best ever Carribaen pace quartet on their very soil in 1985.


Wasim Raja revealed grit at it's highest zenith and was at his best against the lethal Carribean pace attack.

 

[Robert]

Sobey.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Sobey.

After him?top4 ?

 

[last_knight]

Tilkaratne and Chanderpaul too.

 

[MMHS]

Need to check some numbers - traditionally in ENG/AUS, middle order debutantes are slotted at 6 (even DGB started at 6, with an FC average over 80 at debut), therefore many greats actually have batted at 6 for long time - I can recall AB, SWaugh, Ponting. I believe Lloyd, Viv, Walcott, Fingleton, McCabb also batted at 6. In recent times Hussey, Dravid, VVS, Inzi also.

After becoming an established player (actually legend), the guy still batting at 6 for long was the one & only Sir Gary - the greatest ever cricketer (in a timeless world), not only No. 6. Not sure about the 2nd spot though. VVS’s best few innings were from No. 3.

 

[Karl]

Asad Shafiq

 

[RedwoodOriginal]

Chanderpaul hands-down. Averaged close to 65 in the number 6 position with 2528 runs across 40 matches. Wasn't part of a strong batting line-up like the Aussie line-ups of the 70's and 80's or the Indian line-up of the 2000's, it was usually only Lara and sometimes Hooper or Sarwan yet still ended with some of the most prolific number at that position and possibly the highest average. Bailed out the Windies many a time down the order.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Need to check some numbers - traditionally in ENG/AUS, middle order debutantes are slotted at 6 (even DGB started at 6, with an FC average over 80 at debut), therefore many greats actually have batted at 6 for long time - I can recall AB, SWaugh, Ponting. I believe Lloyd, Viv, Walcott, Fingleton, McCabb also batted at 6. In recent times Hussey, Dravid, VVS, Inzi also.

After becoming an established player (actually legend), the guy still batting at 6 for long was the one & only Sir Gary - the greatest ever cricketer (in a timeless world), not only No. 6. Not sure about the 2nd spot though. VVS’s best few innings were from No. 3.

Asif Iqbal?Vvs? Doug Walters?Steve awaugh?Alan Border? Who is most likely to follow Sobers?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

After him?top4 ?

Yes

 

[Ab Fan]

Sobers by a mile.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Sobers by a mile.

Who were next 3 in your view?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Let the topic become who was 2 nd to Sobers at no 6

 

[Ab Fan]

Who were next 3 in your view?

It is tough to say because other names you mentioned all were better at different other batting positions,ie, if I have to pick the likes of Allan or Waugh, I will have them at 5 rather than 6.

I would possibly go with Laxman as well because of his phenomenal ability to play with tail but even at 5, there is not much seperating him. At 6,you generally have all-rounders or wicket-keeper batsmen.

 

[MMHS]

Asif Iqbal?Vvs? Doug Walters?Steve awaugh?Alan Border? Who is most likely to follow Sobers?

Probably between Doug & Asif - almost perfect specialist No. 6 (I think, Asif batted at 6 for Kent as well under Fletcher). He was the best No. 6 in WSC as well. Doug Walters was a perfect No. 6 - could take new ball as well (which is critical for No. 6, often they start either side of 2nd ball), and he was great at tug of war with tail. Tugga (SWaugh), was more of a No. 5, but arguably his greatest series (1989 Ashes) was at 6; so you can keep him in the mix as well. I like Asif, because he was a master of clutch innings, and far better than his stats shows.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Probably between Doug & Asif - almost perfect specialist No. 6 (I think, Asif batted at 6 for Kent as well under Fletcher). He was the best No. 6 in WSC as well. Doug Walters was a perfect No. 6 - could take new ball as well (which is critical for No. 6, often they start either side of 2nd ball), and he was great at tug of war with tail. Tugga (SWaugh), was more of a No. 5, but arguably his greatest series (1989 Ashes) was at 6; so you can keep him in the mix as well. I like Asif, because he was a master of clutch innings, and far better than his stats shows.

Very good analysis and choice of Asif Iqbal.Statistics hardly did him justice .At his best close to the great batsmen.

 

[ManFan]

Does the mind not rebel at listing individuals with fewer hundreds at the coveted Number Six Position in Test Cricket with the one indistinguishable player who has the greatest?