Who were the most determined or courageous batsmen in Test cricket history?

[Harsh Thakor]

Most determined or bravest batsmen in history of test cricket

1.Ian Chappell
2.Alan Border
3.Sunil Gavaskar/Geoff Boycott/ Hanif Mohammad
6.Javed Miandad
7 .Steve Waugh
8.Rahul Dravid
9.Ted Dexter
10.Mike Atherton
11.Brian Close
12.Mohinder Amarnath /David Boon



Ian Chappell was the the most talented but was the king when the chips were down.Even in the gravest of situation she niggled the opponents and could stitch wounds like nonone else.

Alan Border was the ultimate man to bat for your life resembling a soldier fighting on alien territory.

Gavaskar,Boycott and Hanif resembled boulders withstanding the most powerful of gales and often looked impossible to dislodge.


Miandad teased opponents even in the darkest waters and could overshadow the likes of even Viv Richards in a crisis.

Steve Waugh was one of the mentally toughest customers the game has ever seen who proved as much as anyone that the game was played in the mind.

Rahul Dravid was concentration and willpower personified who would overshadow even Tendulkar to retrieve a sinking ship.


Ted Dexter was a revelation when combating great opposition taking the most powerful bowling attacks to the sword.

Michael Atherton took grit to a zenith rarely reached by batsmen of his era.



Brian Close took courage to a height rarely displayed when negotiating the great Carribean pace battery in 1976.


Mohinder Amarnath resembled a a soldier more than any cricketer when taking great pace bowlers apart in Pakistan and West Indies in 1982-83.

David Boon displayed great courage facing the West Indies quicks in the early 1990's.

 

[Mamoon]

Graeme Smith deserves to be on this list.

 

[Hasan123]

Steve Waugh ,Border,Dravid ,and Atherton are 4 that instantly come to mind.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Jack Russell

 

[MMHS]

Really difficult to filter out here. Many of these batsmen were truly world class, therefore along with determination, they fought with their skills as well.

One batsman we should mention is David Steele - guy was a damn average FC cricketer who lived long in Counties as a late middle order all-rounder, but guy had nerves of steel and quite desperate to survive even against hostile attack. In 1976 series, Greig taunted touring WIN, by saying in BBC live that his team will make WIN "Grovel", which Roberts, Holding & Holder didn't like and they targeted ENG batsmen's body. Most of the batsmen left the fight at some stage, but this guy Steele some how managed to bat longest in that Series and his body took serious battery, but he stayed on feet. Previous year, he faced same music from DK, Thompson & Maxwalker. Through out his career, guy batted at 3, and more or less almost every time came to bat when fast bowlers were just warmed up - still a career average of 42 (compared to FC average of 32) against the most hostile 2 of the attacks in history tells lot about the courage & determination. And, those were 1970s - guy batted that entire period with his metal rim glasses, without helmet.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/20345.html


Agree with CappelII - not sure if no. 1, but guy was a street fighter; always raised his game in crisis. Brian Close indeed, probably higher in my list, for such an average player he had big hearts. In his later career Gooch actually carried ENG batting in crisis, should be in this list. And Asif Iqbal for sure; from IND, GR Vishi should come ahead of Dravid (who actually should come behind VVS in this list).

 

[big_gamer007]

Its difficult to gauge players based on determination and courage every player is determined to do well for his team just that some don't have enough skills to reach the highest level.. Imo in recent times virat kohli is definite one of the most determined players just the sheer amount of hard work and determination he has put in to over come his flaws and do well in SA/English conditions he deserves a mention.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Really difficult to filter out here. Many of these batsmen were truly world class, therefore along with determination, they fought with their skills as well.

One batsman we should mention is David Steele - guy was a damn average FC cricketer who lived long in Counties as a late middle order all-rounder, but guy had nerves of steel and quite desperate to survive even against hostile attack. In 1976 series, Greig taunted touring WIN, by saying in BBC live that his team will make WIN "Grovel", which Roberts, Holding & Holder didn't like and they targeted ENG batsmen's body. Most of the batsmen left the fight at some stage, but this guy Steele some how managed to bat longest in that Series and his body took serious battery, but he stayed on feet. Previous year, he faced same music from DK, Thompson & Maxwalker. Through out his career, guy batted at 3, and more or less almost every time came to bat when fast bowlers were just warmed up - still a career average of 42 (compared to FC average of 32) against the most hostile 2 of the attacks in history tells lot about the courage & determination. And, those were 1970s - guy batted that entire period with his metal rim glasses, without helmet.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/england/content/player/20345.html


Agree with CappelII - not sure if no. 1, but guy was a street fighter; always raised his game in crisis. Brian Close indeed, probably higher in my list, for such an average player he had big hearts. In his later career Gooch actually carried ENG batting in crisis, should be in this list. And Asif Iqbal for sure; from IND, GR Vishi should come ahead of Dravid (who actually should come behind VVS in this list).

Very good assessment.Great choice of Tony Greig who without doubt has the credentials standing up to great fast men Like Lillee and Thomson.Still why Vishy and VVS above Dravid? Both were more talented but Rahul more consistent in a crisis.Good assessment of Close and Steele.What about Border and Miandad?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Steve Waugh ,Border,Dravid ,and Atherton are 4 that instantly come to mind.

Not Javed Miandad?

 

[Harsh Thakor]

Its difficult to gauge players based on determination and courage every player is determined to do well for his team just that some don't have enough skills to reach the highest level.. Imo in recent times virat kohli is definite one of the most determined players just the sheer amount of hard work and determination he has put in to over come his flaws and do well in SA/English conditions he deserves a mention.

I agree.Still has to finish career.