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August 26, 2009
Following up on the Test batsmen peer analysis
Posted by Ananth Narayanan at
in Batting
The readers wanted some fine tuning to be done to the Test batsmen peer analysis. I have done these and have come out with the following tables. These have been presented with very few comments leaving the readers to draw their own conclusions. These tables have been created based on suggestions by Deon, Arjun and Rohan.
1.Batsman Peer comparisons - Basic table - Only against own team batsmen
>= 2000 Test runs. (Batpos no. 1 to 7)
SNo.Batsman Cty Runs Avge From- To <------Peer-----> Ratio
Inns Runs Avge
1.Bradman D.G Aus 6996 99.94 1928-1948 392 16166 41.24 2.42
2.Headley G.A Win 2190 60.83 1930-1954 197 5324 27.03 2.25
3.Flower A Zim 4794 51.55 1992-2002 548 15584 28.44 1.81
4.Taylor H.W Saf 2936 40.78 1912-1932 372 9104 24.47 1.67
5.Sutcliffe B Nzl 2727 40.10 1947-1965 366 8903 24.33 1.65
6.Nourse A.D Saf 2960 53.82 1935-1951 295 9811 33.26 1.62
7.Lara B.C Win 11953 52.89 1990-2006 1081 35420 32.77 1.61
8.Hazare V.S Ind 2192 47.65 1946-1953 250 7381 29.52 1.61
9.Hobbs J.B Eng 5410 56.95 1908-1930 467 16940 36.27 1.57
10.Turner G.M Nzl 2991 44.64 1969-1983 343 9855 28.73 1.55
11.McGlew D.J Saf 2440 42.07 1951-1962 300 8257 27.52 1.53
12.Hanif Mohammad Pak 3915 43.99 1952-1969 469 13841 29.51 1.49
13.Hutton L Eng 6971 56.67 1937-1955 609 23306 38.27 1.48
14.Mitchell B Saf 3471 48.89 1929-1949 355 11813 33.28 1.47
15.Habibul Bashar Bng 3026 30.88 2000-2008 481 10136 21.07 1.47
16.Barrington K.F Eng 6806 58.67 1955-1968 625 25062 40.10 1.46
17.Hammond W.R Eng 7249 58.46 1927-1947 642 25747 40.10 1.46
18.Gavaskar S.M Ind 10122 51.12 1971-1987 964 33940 35.21 1.45
19.EdeC Weekes Win 4455 58.62 1948-1958 388 15668 40.38 1.45
20.Crowe M.D Nzl 5444 45.37 1982-1995 629 19821 31.51 1.44
Readers can note that the players in stronger teams lose out. Bradman's ratio comes down and is even comparable to Headley's. Flower, an outstanding batsman in a weaker team, moves all the way upto third place. Bert Sutcliffe of New Zealand leapfrogs over many other players to the fifth position. It is no surprise that Ponting and Tendulkar are even out of the top-20.
To view the complete list, please click here.
2.Batsman Peer comparisons - Basic table
>= 2000 Test runs. (Batpos no. 1 to 6 & no. 7 avge gt 30.00)
SNo.Batsman Cty Runs Avge From- To (Mat) <------Peer-----> Ratio
Inns Runs Avge
1.Bradman D.G Aus 6996 99.94 1928-1948(128) 2439 93717 38.42 2.60
2.EdeC Weekes Win 4455 58.62 1948-1958(161) 3153 112350 35.63 1.65
3.Sutcliffe H Eng 4555 60.73 1924-1935( 91) 1682 62698 37.28 1.63
4.Pollock R.G Saf 2256 60.97 1963-1970(126) 2612 98346 37.65 1.62
5.Barrington K.F Eng 6806 58.67 1955-1968(234) 4685 170077 36.30 1.62
6.Walcott C.L Win 3798 56.69 1948-1960(199) 3911 137954 35.27 1.61
7.Hobbs J.B Eng 5410 56.95 1908-1930(102) 1965 70137 35.69 1.60
8.Sobers G.St.A Win 8032 57.78 1954-1974(353) 7100 258499 36.41 1.59
9.Headley G.A Win 2190 60.83 1930-1954(194) 3789 146760 38.73 1.57
10.Hammond W.R Eng 7249 58.46 1927-1947(117) 2169 82513 38.04 1.54
11.Hutton L Eng 6971 56.67 1937-1955(143) 2705 100796 37.26 1.52
12.Chappell G.S Aus 7110 53.86 1970-1984(300) 5949 219541 36.90 1.46
13.Ponting R.T Aus 11341 55.87 1995-2009(615) 12369 474630 38.37 1.46
14.Javed Miandad Pak 8832 52.57 1976-1993(460) 8975 327935 36.54 1.44
15.Tendulkar S.R Ind 12773 54.59 1989-2009(792) 15813 602604 38.11 1.43
16.Kallis J.H Saf 10277 54.66 1995-2009(599) 12027 461711 38.39 1.42
17.Mohammad Yousuf Pak 7023 54.87 1998-2009(522) 10590 411465 38.85 1.41
18.Lara B.C Win 11953 52.89 1990-2006(661) 13132 494758 37.68 1.40
19.Flower A Zim 4794 51.55 1992-2002(431) 8500 313208 36.85 1.40
20.Worrell F.M.M Win 3860 49.49 1948-1963(252) 5004 178259 35.62 1.39
This is a variant of the basic table. The comparisons are only against the top six batsmen and the seventh, if he has a Batting average greater than 30.
To view the complete list, please click here.
3.Batsman Peer comparisons - Middle order batsmen
Batsman Peer comparisons - Middle order batsmen
>= 4000 Middle order runs
No.Batsman Cty BPos Inns Runs Avge <------Peer------> Ratio
Avge Out Inns Runs Avge
1.Bradman D.G Aus 3.65 70 6996 99.94 1584 60056 37.91 2.64
2.EdeC Weekes Win 4.16 75 4399 58.65 2050 72238 35.24 1.66
3.Sobers G.St.A Win 5.09 128 7658 59.83 4672 170899 36.58 1.64
4.Barrington K.F Eng 4.07 113 6604 58.44 3074 113584 36.95 1.58
5.Hammond W.R Eng 3.70 120 6934 57.78 1393 52840 37.93 1.52
6.Chappell G.S Aus 4.04 132 7110 53.86 3911 143805 36.77 1.46
7.Javed Miandad Pak 4.24 167 8789 52.63 5893 218066 37.00 1.42
8.Ponting R.T Aus 3.84 203 11341 55.87 8118 320424 39.47 1.42
9.Compton D.C.S Eng 4.34 114 5805 50.92 2195 79104 36.04 1.41
10.Tendulkar S.R Ind 4.28 233 12758 54.76 10370 404928 39.05 1.40
11.Kallis J.H Saf 3.80 188 10277 54.66 7889 311872 39.53 1.38
12.Lara B.C Win 3.78 223 11828 53.04 8593 331446 38.57 1.38
13.May P.B.H Eng 3.66 96 4525 47.14 2223 76254 34.30 1.37
14.Sangakkara K.C Slk 3.09 123 6899 56.09 5594 229171 40.97 1.37
15.Dravid R Ind 3.27 191 10334 54.10 7788 308540 39.62 1.37
16.Waugh S.R Aus 5.42 211 10910 51.71 8293 314060 37.87 1.37
17.Mohammad Yousuf Pak 4.71 128 7023 54.87 6963 279859 40.19 1.37
18.Border A.R Aus 4.70 220 11116 50.53 5257 195282 37.15 1.36
19.Flower A Zim 5.03 93 4786 51.46 5568 211502 37.99 1.35
20.Harvey R.N Aus 3.65 126 6147 48.79 3131 112807 36.03 1.35
This is again a variant of the basic table. The comparisons are only against the top six batsmen and the seventh, if he has a Batting average greater than 30. Note that these peer average figures are now slightly higher since the P.A.Patels and Ramdins have been left out.
To view the complete list, please click here.
4.Batsman Peer comparisons - Basic table
Between 1000 and 2000 Test runs.
SNo.Batsman Cty Runs Avge From- To (Mat) <------Peer----->Ratio
Inns Runs Avge
1.Shrewsbury A Eng 1277 35.47 1882-1893( 37) 819 17249 21.06 1.68
2.Paynter E Eng 1540 59.23 1931-1939( 63) 1338 48476 36.23 1.63
3.Barnes S.G Aus 1072 63.06 1938-1948( 38) 782 31858 40.74 1.55
4.Kambli V.G Ind 1084 54.20 1993-1995(100) 2153 76700 35.62 1.52
5.Davis C.A Win 1301 54.21 1968-1973( 79) 1775 64075 36.10 1.50
6.Mead C.P Eng 1185 49.38 1911-1928( 61) 1276 42819 33.56 1.47
7.Ryder J Aus 1394 51.63 1920-1929( 46) 965 35621 36.91 1.40
8.Grace W.G Eng 1098 32.29 1880-1899( 57) 1314 31139 23.70 1.36
9.Faulkner G.A Saf 1754 40.79 1906-1924( 67) 1506 46487 30.87 1.32
10.Bland K.C Saf 1669 49.09 1961-1966( 97) 2132 79264 37.18 1.32
11.Jardine D.R Eng 1296 48.00 1928-1934( 60) 1260 46007 36.51 1.31
12.Reid J.F Nzl 1296 46.29 1979-1986(193) 4080 145746 35.72 1.30
13.Rae A.F Win 1016 46.18 1948-1953( 64) 1387 50295 36.26 1.27
14.Goodwin M.W Zim 1414 42.85 1998-2000(105) 2313 77858 33.66 1.27
15.Hayward T.W Eng 1999 34.47 1896-1909( 56) 1279 34904 27.29 1.26
16.Duff R.A Aus 1317 35.59 1902-1905( 22) 486 13753 28.30 1.26
17.Pullar G Eng 1974 43.87 1959-1963( 63) 1378 49027 35.58 1.23
18.MacLaren A.C Eng 1931 33.88 1894-1909( 64) 1478 40936 27.70 1.22
19.Brown W.A Aus 1592 46.82 1934-1948( 68) 1446 55587 38.44 1.22
20.Houghton D.L Zim 1465 43.09 1992-1997(183) 3981 141210 35.47 1.21
This table shows the batsmen who have scored between 1000 and 2000 runs. Thus many late order batsmen are included.
To view the complete list, please click here.
5.Maximum Peer ratio reached by a batsman
Only batsmen who have played in over 50 Tests considered
Only after 50 Tests are crossed
Figures shown are at the beginning of concerned Test
SNo.Cty Batsman Test Test BatAvg Peer Ratio
No Avge
1.Aus Bradman D.G 303 52 101.39 30.65 3.31
2.Eng Hobbs J.B 176 51 61.27 27.17 2.25
3.Win Sobers G.St.A 642 66 63.77 29.12 2.19
4.Eng Hammond W.R 257 60 61.61 29.23 2.11
5.Eng Sutcliffe H 234 50 62.27 30.12 2.07
6.Eng Barrington K.F 629 76 60.66 29.39 2.06
7.Pak Javed Miandad 966 56 58.56 28.88 2.03
8.Eng Hutton L 387 71 61.71 30.70 2.01
9.Win Richards I.V.A 956 52 58.78 29.20 2.01
10.Ind Tendulkar S.R 1591 91 58.87 29.42 2.00
11.Aus Hayden M.L 1688 52 58.98 29.99 1.97
12.Aus Ponting R.T 1821 108 59.96 30.54 1.96
13.Ind Dravid R 1743 89 58.45 30.25 1.93
14.Zim Flower A 1581 57 56.60 29.26 1.93
15.Aus Gilchrist A.C 1678 50 58.24 30.52 1.91
16.Ind Gavaskar S.M 871 62 57.27 30.15 1.90
17.Saf Kallis J.H 1856 112 58.20 30.62 1.90
18.Aus Harvey R.N 447 50 54.32 28.57 1.90
19.Aus Chappell G.S 913 70 55.58 29.65 1.87
20.Eng May P.B.H 476 59 49.76 27.09 1.84
Bradman reached his maximum ratio at the beginning of his last Test. Only the top-10 have crossed 2.00. Note the quality of the top-10.
To view the complete list, please click here.
6.Minimum Peer ratio reached by a batsman
Only batsmen who have played in over 50 Tests considered
Only after 50 Tests are crossed
Figures shown are at the beginning of concerned Test
SNo.Cty Batsman Test Test BatAvg Peer Ratio
No Avge
1.Saf Pollock S.M 1528 50 27.15 28.84 0.94
2.Bng Habibul Bashar 1864 50 31.38 32.21 0.97
3.Ind Kapil Dev N 1032 72 29.75 30.33 0.98
4.Pak Imran Khan 973 50 29.88 30.20 0.99
5.Eng Knott A.P.E 734 53 30.84 30.91 1.00
6.Eng Flintoff A 1922 76 31.69 31.55 1.00
7.Win Hooper C.L 1303 52 30.64 30.20 1.01
8.Pak Rameez Raja 1313 53 30.93 30.30 1.02
9.Nzl Burgess M.G 891 50 30.88 30.07 1.03
10.Eng Lamb A.J 1099 53 32.31 31.15 1.04
11.Aus Wood G.M 1110 58 31.39 29.80 1.05
12.Win Dujon P.J.L 1175 81 32.51 31.01 1.05
13.Saf Waite J.H.B 578 50 30.75 28.99 1.06
14.Eng Smith M.J.K 700 50 32.08 30.33 1.06
15.Nzl Cairns C.L 1689 58 32.13 30.17 1.06
16.Nzl Wright J.G 1068 50 32.13 29.96 1.07
17.Nzl Congdon B.E 769 51 33.07 31.00 1.07
18.Eng Rhodes W 193 58 29.94 27.72 1.08
19.Eng Butcher M.A 1636 50 31.94 29.56 1.08
20.Ind Shastri R.J 1150 72 33.88 30.95 1.09
Only four batsmen have ever been at a peer ratio value of below 1.00. The only top flight batsmen in the top-10 minimum peer ratio list are Hooper, Rameez, Burgess and Lamb.
To view the complete list, please click here.
7.Comparison between maximum and minimum peer ratios reached
Only batsmen who have played in over 50 Tests considered
Only after 50 Tests are crossed
Max-Min is the ratio of Maximum to Minmum
Spread is the spread on either side of the mean
Figures shown are at the beginning of concerned Test
SNo Cty Batsman BatAvg Peer Ratio BatAvg Peer Ratio Max Spread
Avge Max Avge Min -Min
1.Aus Waugh S.R 51.87 29.37 1.77 35.76 30.16 1.19 1.49 19.6%
2.Saf Kallis J.H 58.20 30.62 1.90 41.00 28.84 1.42 1.34 14.5%
3.Aus Ponting R.T 59.96 30.54 1.96 43.71 29.33 1.49 1.32 13.6%
4.Slk de Silva P.A 43.89 29.65 1.48 34.06 30.16 1.13 1.31 13.4%
5.Pak Imran Khan 38.23 30.41 1.26 29.88 30.20 0.99 1.27 12.0%
6.Win Hooper C.L 37.67 29.73 1.27 30.64 30.20 1.01 1.26 11.4%
7.Aus Gilchrist A.C 58.24 30.52 1.91 47.89 31.39 1.52 1.26 11.4%
8.Saf Pollock S.M 34.90 29.91 1.17 27.15 28.84 0.94 1.24 10.9%
9.Pak Inzamam-ul-Haq 51.79 30.36 1.71 40.71 29.41 1.38 1.24 10.7%
10.Ind Vengsarkar D.B 46.21 29.61 1.56 37.41 29.61 1.26 1.24 10.6%
11.Slk Sangakkara K.C 57.00 31.80 1.79 46.31 31.84 1.45 1.23 10.5%
12.Pak Saleem Malik 46.97 30.64 1.53 37.86 30.65 1.24 1.23 10.5%
13.Eng Gooch G.A 44.75 30.00 1.49 36.53 30.14 1.21 1.23 10.4%
14.Aus Boon D.C 46.83 30.33 1.54 39.07 30.71 1.27 1.21 9.6%
15.Pak Mohammad Yousuf 56.65 30.77 1.84 46.66 30.64 1.52 1.21 9.5%
16.Win Dujon P.J.L 38.91 30.70 1.27 32.51 31.01 1.05 1.21 9.5%
17.Win Chanderpaul S 49.71 30.66 1.62 39.17 29.31 1.34 1.21 9.5%
18.Saf Gibbs H.H 49.46 30.14 1.64 42.05 30.81 1.36 1.21 9.3%
19.Ind Tendulkar S.R 58.87 29.42 2.00 49.26 29.69 1.66 1.20 9.3%
20.Win Richards I.V.A 58.78 29.20 2.01 49.93 29.96 1.67 1.20 9.2%
This is a very revealing maximum / minimum comparison list. A high value in the last two columns indicates extreme average values. A value of over 10% indicates clearly that there is a wide gap between segments of career. The last column is a spread on either side of the mean between maximum and minimum. Steve Waugh has a spread of nearly 20%. Kallis and Ponting are also very high in the list. Lara is somewhere in the middle with a spread of 5% and is amongst the lowest amongst batsmen who have played a high number of Tests. Too much should not be read at the low values of Sutcliffe and Bradman since both of them have played just over 50 Tests.
To view the complete list, please click here.
Jeff's follow-up analysis (with Jeff's commentary)
Following on from my comment about weighting the peer averages by the
innings played against each team by each player, I've done this now for
the top 20 players in the original list (using Statsguru which took me
quite a long time !)
I thought the readers would be interested in the results. There were no great differences doing this, but a couple of players ratios moved a fair bit.
Headley was the main beneficiary, moving up from number 7 to number 2 -
he played a fair bigger proportion of his innings against strong England
teams than his peers did and so his average is more impressive than it
first appears. Lara also moves up, as do a couple of others. Tendulkar moves up a place.
Ponting suffers through this because (as said earlier) he didn't have to
face his own team and Hammond also falls a bit because he played a lot
of times against a weak South Africa.
Flower is perhaps the most surprising casualty - you might expect him to
rise as he didn't have the chance to score against Zimbabwe like his
peers did. However, it seems that he only played only one match against
Australia in his entire career, and this has cost him.
Jeff's analysis summary
New Prev Diff Ananth Jeff
1. 1. <> Bradman D.G Aus 3.27 3.32
2. 7. +5 Headley G.A Win 1.97 2.10
3. 2. -1 EdeC Weekes Win 2.04 2.07
4. 5. +1 Walcott C.L Win 2.00 2.05
5. 4. -1 Pollock R.G Saf 2.00 1.99
6. 3. -3 Sutcliffe H Eng 2.02 1.98
7. 9. -2 Sobers G.St.A Win 1.95 1.97
8. 6. -2 Barrington K.F Eng 2.00 1.97
9. 8. -1 Hobbs J.B Eng 1.96 1.95
10. 11. +1 Hutton L Eng 1.90 1.92
11. 10. -1 Hammond W.R Eng 1.94 1.88
12. 13. +1 Chappell G.S Aus 1.79 1.81
13. 14. +1 Tendulkar S.R Ind 1.78 1.80
14. 19. +5 Lara B.C Win 1.75 1.80
15. 12. -3 Ponting R.T Aus 1.81 1.79
16. 15. -1 Kallis J.H Saf 1.77 1.76
17. 17. <> MohammadYousuf Pak 1.76 1.74
18. 16. -2 Javed Miandad Pak 1.76 1.71
19. 18. -1 Flower A Zim 1.75 1.69
20. 20. <> Sangakkara K.C Slk 1.73 1.63
Many thanks to Jeff. I am very happy to see someone who does not have access to database and supporting programs like me doing this, so to say, by long hand. May his tribe flourish.
Arjun Hemnani has asked for a Maximum/Minimum table based on the top-6/7 batsmen only. I have completed that work and have uploaded the tables to my site. It can be downloaded by clicking on the following links.
http://www.thirdslip.com/misc/peermax1.txt
http://www.thirdslip.com/misc/peermin1.txt
Comments (35)
August 17, 2009
Comparing Test batsmen with their peers
Posted by Ananth Narayanan at
in Batting
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Don Bradman's average was 3.27 times that of his peers
© Getty Images
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| I have done a lot of cricket analysis work over the past 20+ years. I love doing all this work. However once a while a new idea comes across which I consider as a watershed moment in my analytic efforts. The idea of comparing a player with peer players (the base idea of which was provided by Abdulla) is one such spark. I am very excited about this since it is one of the truest measures of a players' capabilities. This is a follow-up article to the one on Test bowlers.
The idea is to compare a player's performances with his peers. The comparison with one's own team is a limited step and is quite useful. However the real comparison is with all the peer players since it takes perfect care of the vexed question of a player playing in a very strong team. I had done this in a limited way for ODI Strike Rates. Now I have extended this to Test Players in a much more extended manner as explained below.
1. For each player, create a match subset of their career limits, in other words from their first to last Tests. For Tendulkar it is 1127(1989) to 1918(2009), a subset of 792 Tests, the longest span for any player.
2. Sum the three main data elements, Innings, Not Outs, and Runs Scored for all the players for these matches. The Batting Average is used for comparison since this is the most accepted of all measures.
3. Subtract the player's own career figures from the total for the match subset and post these figures as a database segment. Even though the players' own numbers are quite low compared to the match subsets (Tendulkar 12773 out of 749558 runs) and the impact of this subtraction is minimal, it is done to get an exact peer segment.
4. For batsmen, first the base table is created. This table compares the batsman's bating average with the composite average of all batsmen during his playing span. This covers all batsmen since separate comparisons are done for specialized batting positions such as Opening, Middle order and Late order.
I have not done a separation by period. This is a pure peer comparison, cutting across all divisions.
First let us look at the basic Batsman table.
1. Batsman Peer comparisons - Basic table
>= 2000 Test runs
No.Batsman Cty Runs Avge From- To (Mat) <------Peer-----> Ratio
Inns Runs Avge
1.Bradman D.G Aus 6996 99.94 1928-1948(128) 3722 113802 30.58 3.27
2.EdeC Weekes Win 4455 58.62 1948-1958(161) 4829 138734 28.73 2.04
3.Sutcliffe H Eng 4555 60.73 1924-1935( 91) 2600 78032 30.01 2.02
4.Pollock R.G Saf 2256 60.97 1963-1970(126) 3900 118766 30.45 2.00
5.Walcott C.L Win 3798 56.69 1948-1960(199) 5982 169812 28.39 2.00
6.Barrington K.F Eng 6806 58.67 1955-1968(234) 7072 207904 29.40 2.00
7.Headley G.A Win 2190 60.83 1930-1954(194) 5745 177352 30.87 1.97
8.Hobbs J.B Eng 5410 56.95 1908-1930(102) 3069 88958 28.99 1.96
9.Sobers G.St.A Win 8032 57.78 1954-1974(353) 10721 317459 29.61 1.95
10.Hammond W.R Eng 7249 58.46 1927-1947(117) 3344 101007 30.21 1.94
11.Hutton L Eng 6971 56.67 1937-1955(143) 4149 123572 29.78 1.90
12.Ponting R.T Aus 11267 56.05 1995-2009(612) 18664 577309 30.93 1.81
13.Chappell G.S Aus 7110 53.86 1970-1984(300) 8979 270067 30.08 1.79
14.Tendulkar S.R Ind 12773 54.59 1989-2009(792) 24004 736785 30.69 1.78
15.Kallis J.H Saf 10277 54.66 1995-2009(599) 18270 564569 30.90 1.77
16.Javed Miandad Pak 8832 52.57 1976-1993(460) 13470 401608 29.81 1.76
17.Mohammad Yousuf Pak 7023 54.87 1998-2009(522) 16015 500382 31.24 1.76
18.Flower A Zim 4794 51.55 1992-2002(431) 13040 384939 29.52 1.75
19.Lara B.C Win 11953 52.89 1990-2006(661) 20051 607578 30.30 1.75
20.Sangakkara K.C Slk 7095 55.43 2000-2009(421) 12848 411708 32.04 1.73
Even though the batsman peer span is shown in years, the actual computations are done for the exact match of debut onwards. The years make more sense while reading the table. The "inns" value shown on these tables is after subtracting the Not outs.
No surprise at the first placed batsmen. It would have been a shock if it had been anyone else. What is surprising is the ratio of Bradman. An amazing 3.27. Weekes is the first among 9 equals who have ratios from 1.94 to 2.04. These 10 batsmen are among the best ever, all 10 having played their game before 1970.
The batsman with the highest ratio among the contemporary players is Ponting, with a ratio of 1.81, followed by Tendulkar with 1.78 and the unheralded Kallis with 1.77. This, despite the commonly percieved notions of weaker teams, and hence cheaper runs. Note the high placement of Andy Flower.
It should be noted that the peer averages are comparable across ages, at either side of 30. Mohommad Yousuf's peer average is the highest at 31.24. His span is 1998-2009. As also Kallis'. The lowest Peer average numbers are for the early 1950s.
To view the complete list, please click here.
Now we come to the comparison tables for specialized batting positions. These are determined by isolating the runs scored by batsmen in these specialized positions only and then comparing with runs scored in these positions by other batsmen. Opening is determined by the positions 1-2, Middle order by positions 3-7 and Late order by positions 8-11. The only question mark could be with no.7. However when you realize that top-quality batsmen such as Gilchrist, Healy, Knott, Marsh, Imran, Kapil, Botham, S Pollock, Flintoff, Boucher et al have scored over 25,000 Test runs amongst them at no.7 position, it has to belong to the Middle order classification.
First let us look at the Opening position. This time I have also shown the Batting Position Average value. This is the average of the batting position the batsman has batted in, with the opening positions being considered as no.2. Thus a value of 2.00 means that the batsman has batted in the opening positions only.
2. Batsman Peer comparisons - Opening batsmen
>= 2500 opening runs
No.Batsman Cty BPos Inns Runs Avge <------Peer------> Ratio
Avge Out Inns Runs Avge
1.Sutcliffe H Eng 2.05 74 4522 61.11 507 18443 36.38 1.68
2.Hobbs J.B Eng 2.15 91 5130 56.37 591 21419 36.24 1.56
3.Hutton L Eng 2.18 119 6721 56.48 846 30900 36.52 1.55
4.Simpson R.B Aus 3.27 66 3664 55.52 2578 94513 36.66 1.51
5.Amiss D.L Eng 2.50 61 3276 53.70 1318 49067 37.23 1.44
6.Hayden M.L Aus 2.00 170 8626 50.74 4339 153809 35.45 1.43
7.Gavaskar S.M Ind 2.21 191 9607 50.30 2439 86489 35.46 1.42
8.Saeed Anwar Pak 2.11 84 3957 47.11 2677 90241 33.71 1.40
9.Smith G.C Saf 2.21 118 6108 51.76 2115 78959 37.33 1.39
10.Sehwag V Ind 2.36 105 5378 51.22 2360 88396 37.46 1.37
11.Langer J.L Aus 2.42 106 5112 48.23 4127 146726 35.55 1.36
12.Gibbs H.H Saf 2.64 111 5242 47.23 3483 124196 35.66 1.32
13.Boycott G Eng 2.02 168 8091 48.16 2277 82894 36.40 1.32
14.Lawry W.M Aus 2.00 111 5234 47.15 1086 39476 36.35 1.30
15.Slater M.J Aus 2.00 124 5312 42.84 2154 71763 33.32 1.29
16.Greenidge C.G Win 2.03 166 7488 45.11 2684 94699 35.28 1.28
17.Boon D.C Aus 2.85 58 2614 45.07 2131 75453 35.41 1.27
18.Hunte C.C Win 2.00 72 3245 45.07 1082 38410 35.50 1.27
19.Stewart A.J Eng 3.91 75 3348 44.64 3464 122407 35.34 1.26
20.Vaughan M.P Eng 2.86 68 3093 45.49 2803 101414 36.18 1.26
The three great English openers lead the table. Then Simpson and another top quality English opener, Amiss, although Amiss' contemporary openers posted a high average. Hayden and Gavaskar clock in next despite the somewhat lower peer averages. It is also an indicator that more often than not Gavaskar waged a lone battle. The next three positions are held by openers from the current and immediately precding era.
Alec Stewart is one of the very few batsmen who has scored enough runs in both opening and middle order positions to qualify for both lists. His opening average is considerably better and he is in the 19th position. Readers should not forget that the runs in the table are the runs scored in the opening positions only.
To view the complete list, please click here.
3. Batsman Peer comparisons - Middle order batsmen
>= 4000 middle order runs
No.Batsman Cty BPos Inns Runs Avge <------Peer------> Ratio
Avge Out Inns Runs Avge
1.Bradman D.G Aus 3.65 70 6996 99.94 1841 64844 35.22 2.84
2.EdeC Weekes Win 4.16 75 4399 58.65 2388 79001 33.08 1.77
3.Sobers G.St.A Win 5.09 128 7658 59.83 5363 185285 34.55 1.73
4.Barrington K.F Eng 4.07 113 6604 58.44 3512 122194 34.79 1.68
5.Hammond W.R Eng 3.70 120 6934 57.78 1628 57387 35.25 1.64
6.Chappell G.S Aus 4.04 132 7110 53.86 4450 156700 35.21 1.53
7.Compton D.C.S Eng 4.34 114 5805 50.92 2569 86396 33.63 1.51
8.Ponting R.T Aus 3.85 201 11267 56.05 9177 344014 37.49 1.50
9.Javed Miandad Pak 4.24 167 8789 52.63 6639 234403 35.31 1.49
10.Tendulkar S.R Ind 4.28 233 12758 54.76 11806 437913 37.09 1.48
11.May P.B.H Eng 3.66 96 4525 47.14 2593 83403 32.16 1.47
12.Kallis J.H Saf 3.80 188 10277 54.66 8981 336648 37.48 1.46
13.Sangakkara K.C Slk 3.09 121 6845 56.57 6328 246703 38.99 1.45
14.Harvey R.N Aus 3.65 126 6147 48.79 3651 122850 33.65 1.45
15.Lara B.C Win 3.78 223 11828 53.04 9833 359979 36.61 1.45
16.Dravid R Ind 3.27 191 10334 54.10 8859 332724 37.56 1.44
17.Mohammad Yousuf Pak 4.71 128 7023 54.87 7884 300580 38.13 1.44
18.Waugh S.R Aus 5.42 211 10910 51.71 9473 341102 36.01 1.44
19.Flower A Zim 5.03 93 4786 51.46 6408 230728 36.01 1.43
20.Border A.R Aus 4.70 220 11116 50.53 5914 209290 35.39 1.43
The middle order table shows no surprises. Again Mohammad Yousuf's peer batsmen batting average is quite high, only exceeded by Sangakkara's peer average. The early 50s show the lowest middle order batsman averages.
To view the complete list, please click here.
4. Batsman Peer comparisons - Late order batsmen
( >=500 late order runs and BPos avge >8.0)
No.Batsman Cty BPos Inns Runs Avge <------Peer------> Ratio
Avge Out Inns Runs Avge
1.Johnson M.G Aus 9.03 22 762 34.64 695 11199 16.11 2.15
2.Strang P.A Zim 8.17 25 737 29.48 2546 36143 14.20 2.08
3.Vettori D.L Nzl 8.34 98 2959 30.19 4851 73245 15.10 2.00
4.Symcox P.L Saf 8.44 23 668 29.04 1781 25879 14.53 2.00
5.Broad S.C.J Eng 8.03 20 628 31.40 635 10389 16.36 1.92
6.Reiffel P.R Aus 8.40 34 936 27.53 1855 26951 14.53 1.89
7.Blignaut A.M Zim 8.31 30 835 27.83 1944 29804 15.33 1.82
8.More K.S Ind 8.33 44 1180 26.82 1458 22140 15.19 1.77
9.Smith I.D.S Nzl 8.34 60 1667 27.78 2418 38154 15.78 1.76
10.Boje N Saf 8.10 42 1125 26.79 2843 43787 15.40 1.74
11.O'Keeffe K.J Aus 8.06 23 606 26.35 1076 16462 15.30 1.72
12.Nash D.J Nzl 8.82 30 729 24.30 3147 44928 14.28 1.70
13.Vaas WPUJC Slk 8.09 109 2783 25.53 5557 83365 15.00 1.70
14.Chandana U.D.U Slk 8.29 21 519 24.71 2567 38534 15.01 1.65
15.Verity H Eng 8.52 28 620 22.14 506 7101 14.03 1.58
16.Ghavri K.D Ind 8.53 41 900 21.95 1281 18099 14.13 1.55
17.Wasim Akram Pak 8.14 97 2160 22.27 4784 70503 14.74 1.51
18.Madan Lal S Ind 8.18 30 669 22.30 2577 38789 15.05 1.48
19.Wardle J.H Eng 8.10 26 568 21.85 1197 18002 15.04 1.45
20.Allen D.A Eng 8.63 34 805 23.68 973 16025 16.47 1.44
This is a very interesting table. The additional qualification of Batting position average ensures that only genuine late order batsmen are compared. Mitchell Johnson has recently started batting at no.8. Hence his entry into this table. Soon he will go out of the table as he builds more innings at no.8 and possibly no.7.
Johnson is on top with a ratio of 2.15. The others are good quality late order batsmen. Anyone who has a ratio of greater than 1.4 should be classified as a top quality late order batsman.
To view the complete list, please please click here.
If readers want different cut-offs for the tables, they are welcome to suggest the same.
Since the tables cover, with almost no exception, all the top batsmen of the world with variable career spans, I have given below the extreme peer average values in various classifications. The base table shows maximum spread, 10.7% on either side of 28.65, since it includes all batsmen, batting at 1-11. The Opening batsmen table has a spread of 7.4% on either side of 33.78. The Middle order table has a spread of 9.3% on either side of 32.69.
Base table (All batsmen)
Low: 24.58 1890-1912 S.E.Gregory
High: 32.71 2005-1009 Mike Hussey
Opening batsmen
Low: 33.24 1950s C.C.Mcdonald
High: 38.47 1970s Fredericks
Middle order batsmen
Low: 32.16 1951-1961 Peter May
High: 39.34 2005-2009 Kevin Pietersen
Late order batsmen
Low: 14.03 1930s Verity
High: 16.47 1960s D Allen
Comments (69)
August 7, 2009
Test bowlers analysis: a follow-up
Posted by Ananth Narayanan at
in Tests - bowling
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Richard Hadlee moves up to second spot among bowlers since 1970
© Getty Images
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| Based on the comments received, both in public and personal mails, I have made the following tweaks to the Test Bowlers Analysis.
Match performance ratings
1. Halve the balls bowled base points (a wicket equivalent for about 45 overs).
2. Introduce the bowler strike rate, in relation to team strike rate, as a new base measure, at a relatively lower weight.
3. Minor changes to the batsman dismissed base point calculation, to be based on recent form. This will lower the value of wickets of top batsmen while going through a poor patch and increase the weight of capturing in-form batsmen.
Career measures:
1. Have a cut-off of 200 wickets for the current era, reducing the number from 89 to 44. We have lost Shoaib Akhtar, Steyn, Alderman, Bishop et al. But it cannot be helped.
2. Increase the Wickets weight from 5 points to 7.5 points. Within this, do a 5% on either side (105% & 95%) valuation for away and home wickets.
3. Correspondingly reduce the Wickets per Innspell weight from 5 points to 2.5 points.
4. Remove the Performance Ratio measure, the last column in the table.
5. Instead introduce the Peer Comparison ratios. This time I have allotted an equal weight for strike Rate and accuracy.
6. Introduce a simple 5-Test slice based Consistency index using wickets captured as the indicator. Also include the % of wicket spells out of qualifying spells as a consistency measure.
Revised allocations of the Career points:
The points have gone up to 45 and there is a slight increase in the Match performance points because of changes in Base points calculation.
- Career wickets captured (7.5 points)
- Career wickets per innspell (2.5 points)
- Bowling Strike rate-BpW (9 points)
- Bowling accuracy-RpO (6 points)
- Consistency (4) points
- Average Quality of batsmen dismissed - based on CtD bat avge (5 points)
- Type of wickets captured - Top/Middle order/Late order (3 points)
- Peer ratio: Strike rate (4 points)
- Peer ratio: Accuracy (RpO) (4 points).
Let us look at the revised tables. I am not going to make too many comments and will let the readers draw their own conclusions. The overall feeling I get is that there are not that many changes indicating that the initial methodology itself was quite sound.
1. Current era (1970-2000): Table of top bowlers
No.Cty Bowler BT Total Match Wkt Bow Bow Wkt Wkt Cons Peer Peer
Pts Perf Pts StRt Acc BtAvg Qlty Idx S/R RpO
Max 85-90 40-45 10.0 9.0 6.0 5.5 2.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
1.Slk Muralitharan M ROB 56.95 22.76 8.24 6.89 4.47 4.01 2.05 3.62 2.48 2.43
2.Nzl Hadlee R.J RFM 54.46 22.03 5.33 7.89 3.89 4.73 2.10 3.58 2.88 2.03
3.Aus Warne S.K RLB 53.79 22.13 7.33 6.59 4.18 3.69 1.89 3.43 2.35 2.20
4.Aus Lillee D.K RF 53.18 21.83 4.53 7.81 3.68 4.92 2.18 3.55 2.81 1.88
5.Pak Imran Khan RF 52.70 21.36 4.60 7.55 3.98 5.15 2.14 3.11 2.72 2.09
6.Win Marshall M.D RF 50.85 18.99 4.55 8.19 3.88 4.59 2.21 3.32 3.09 2.02
7.Aus McGrath G.D RFM 50.80 18.94 5.93 7.21 4.39 3.84 2.24 3.27 2.63 2.36
8.Pak Waqar Younis RFM 49.73 19.41 4.56 8.15 3.35 4.07 2.12 3.19 3.16 1.72
9.Saf Donald A.A RF 49.29 18.68 4.21 7.71 3.85 4.01 2.22 3.73 2.94 1.95
10.Win Ambrose C.E.L RF 49.27 18.67 4.71 7.06 4.41 4.00 2.17 3.33 2.52 2.40
11.Ind Kumble A RLB 49.22 19.07 6.54 5.65 4.12 4.13 2.03 3.47 2.03 2.18
12.Pak Wasim Akram LFM 48.70 18.77 4.85 7.06 4.11 3.91 1.95 3.37 2.56 2.13
13.Win Holding M.A RF 47.76 17.43 3.39 7.90 3.70 5.06 2.17 3.39 2.80 1.92
14.Saf Pollock S.M RFM 47.64 17.53 4.72 6.55 4.57 4.04 2.12 3.30 2.32 2.50
15.Win Garner J RF 47.26 17.11 3.49 7.84 4.10 4.44 1.99 3.32 2.80 2.16
16.Aus Thomson J.R RF 47.23 17.75 3.01 7.76 3.21 5.44 2.36 3.31 2.73 1.66
17.Win Walsh C.A RF 47.16 16.56 5.54 6.76 4.15 4.13 2.06 3.38 2.42 2.16
18.Eng Willis R.G.D RF 46.99 16.75 3.93 7.70 3.60 4.51 2.24 3.68 2.75 1.83
19.Aus McDermott C.J RF 46.86 18.32 3.80 6.93 3.53 4.35 2.27 3.31 2.54 1.81
20.Eng Botham I.T RFM 46.68 17.68 4.55 7.09 3.52 4.51 2.08 2.93 2.54 1.79
Let me make one thing clear. Any one of the top-10 bowlers, possibly Donald excepted and Wasim Akram/Holding considered instead, could easily be considered the best of this era. Do not start sending brickbats because who you think (your) best bowler is placed at 3rd or 5th or 6th or 17th ... Instead think of this table, especially the top-10, as a list of the greatest bowlers of this era, with Muralitharan the first among equals.
The significant changes can be summarised below.
1. The most significant change is that Lillee and Hadlee exchange places with Hadlee moving to second and Lillee to fourth place. Warne remains sandwiched between these two great bowlers.
2. Imran, Marshall, McGrath and Waqar retain their places in the top-10 indicating that the changes cancelled each other out and their relative placings remained.
3. The next significant change is that Kumble moves out of the top-10 and is replaced by Donald. This is probably due to the differential weighing of home and away wickets. Donald and Ambrose are welcome additions to the top-10.
4. The sub-200 wicket brigade of Reid, Croft, Akhtar and Lawson move out of the top-20 and are replaced by the worthy quintet of Shaun Pollock, Garner, Walsh, Willis and McDermott.
5. The next significant change is that Harbhajan Singh moves out of the top-20 and is replaced by Botham. This is probably due to the differential weighing of home and away wickets.
To view the complete list, please click here.
2. Middle era (1920-1969): Table of top bowlers
No.Cty Bowler BT Total Match Wkt Bow Bow Wkt Wkt Cons Peer Peer
Pts Perf Pts StRt Acc BtAvg Qlty Idx S/R RpO
Max 85-90 40-45 10.0 9.0 6.0 5.5 2.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
1.Aus O'Reilly W.J RLB 53.42 24.74 2.95 6.01 4.47 4.62 1.98 3.83 2.12 2.71
2.Aus Grimmett C.V RLB 53.34 24.74 3.68 6.22 4.27 4.22 1.96 3.62 2.27 2.35
3.Pak Fazal Mahmood RFM 50.02 22.99 2.90 6.15 3.87 4.32 2.29 3.09 2.26 2.15
4.Eng Trueman F.S RF 49.75 19.37 4.01 8.77 3.38 3.56 2.05 3.57 3.31 1.73
5.Saf Tayfield H.J ROB 47.97 21.54 3.08 5.02 3.98 4.93 2.01 3.16 1.95 2.29
6.Eng Laker J.C ROB 47.74 19.09 3.01 7.09 3.86 4.33 2.19 3.38 2.58 2.21
7.Ind ChandrasekharB RLB 46.43 18.65 3.52 6.62 3.56 4.50 2.12 3.26 2.40 1.82
8.Win Hall W.W RF 46.29 18.46 2.95 8.22 3.15 3.44 2.33 3.11 3.00 1.64
9.Aus McKenzie G.D RF 46.26 18.97 3.38 6.06 3.67 4.39 2.26 3.36 2.25 1.92
10.Eng Bedser A.V RFM 46.25 18.72 3.47 6.48 3.70 3.85 2.15 3.35 2.42 2.12
11.Aus Davidson A.K LFM 46.21 17.98 2.92 7.15 4.01 3.98 2.13 3.22 2.52 2.29
12.Eng Snow J.A RFM 45.87 18.06 2.98 7.36 3.56 3.69 2.17 3.57 2.64 1.83
13.Eng Underwood D.L LSP 44.99 17.00 3.68 5.55 4.30 4.62 2.29 3.14 2.03 2.39
14.Ind Bedi B.S LSP 44.79 17.55 3.60 4.77 4.20 4.50 2.20 3.75 1.88 2.33
15.Aus Lindwall R.R RF 44.74 15.74 3.09 7.47 3.62 4.67 2.12 3.35 2.71 1.97
16.Saf Pollock P.M RF 44.48 17.35 2.35 7.95 3.55 3.68 2.17 2.71 2.86 1.85
17.Ind Gupte S.P RLB 43.90 18.42 2.84 5.53 3.61 3.59 2.07 3.85 2.08 1.90
18.Eng Statham J.B RFM 43.81 15.81 3.32 7.03 3.65 3.70 2.26 3.54 2.54 1.95
19.Nzl Taylor B.R RFM 43.79 16.21 2.23 7.67 3.41 4.28 2.32 3.13 2.81 1.72
20.Eng Tate M.W RFM 43.78 18.11 2.66 4.70 4.52 4.09 2.11 3.07 1.90 2.62
The most significant change is that Grimmett and O'Reilly exchange places with O'Reilly moving to the top place and Grimmett to second place. The two great fast bowlers, Fazal Mahmood and Trueman move up couple of places. The top-10 remains the same.
The main change here is that Grimmett
To view the complete list, please click here.
3. Pre-WW1 era (1877-1914): Table of top bowlers
No.Cty Bowler BT Total Match Wkt Bow Bow Wkt Wkt Cons Peer Peer
Pts Perf Pts StRt Acc BtAvg Qlty Idx S/R RpO
Max 85-90 40-45 10.0 9.0 6.0 5.5 2.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
1.Eng Barnes S.F RFM 55.86 26.38 3.89 6.95 4.06 3.37 2.17 3.92 2.78 2.35
2.Eng Lohmann G.A RFM 47.17 17.98 3.01 7.57 4.59 2.65 2.01 3.81 3.06 2.50
3.Aus Turner C.T.B RFM 46.11 18.04 2.89 6.07 4.54 3.97 2.32 3.93 1.96 2.39
4.Aus Saunders J.V LSP 45.11 19.16 2.45 6.60 3.33 3.40 2.09 3.84 2.44 1.80
5.Eng Richardson T RF 44.71 19.21 3.11 6.07 3.39 3.30 2.15 3.33 2.39 1.75
6.Aus Spofforth F.R RFM 44.42 17.03 2.69 6.69 3.93 4.10 2.14 3.36 2.73 1.75
7.Eng Blythe C LSP 44.39 17.63 2.47 6.60 3.96 3.30 2.43 3.33 2.44 2.22
8.Eng Peel R LSP 43.99 18.29 2.57 6.07 4.50 2.69 2.12 3.33 2.04 2.38
9.Aus Trumble H ROB 43.94 17.20 2.67 5.54 4.16 4.79 2.13 3.14 2.00 2.31
10.Aus Cotter A RFM 43.17 17.72 2.27 5.98 3.01 4.30 2.29 3.71 2.19 1.69
11.Aus Palmer G.E ROB 41.59 15.57 2.35 5.54 4.21 3.91 2.04 3.85 2.14 1.98
12.Aus Giffen G ROB 41.53 17.75 2.57 5.10 3.78 3.53 2.13 3.22 1.71 1.74
13.Aus Noble M.A ROB 40.92 15.27 2.33 5.37 3.87 4.85 1.96 3.24 1.93 2.11
14.Eng Briggs J LSP 40.08 14.46 2.55 6.60 4.07 2.93 2.01 3.00 2.44 2.02
15.Saf Faulkner G.A RLB 39.58 14.88 2.06 6.61 3.24 3.47 1.94 3.26 2.35 1.78
16.Eng Rhodes W LSP 37.08 13.57 2.17 5.49 3.91 3.54 1.80 2.45 2.03 2.13
17.Eng Woolley F.E LSP 32.26 9.93 1.51 4.41 3.79 4.10 2.06 2.63 1.82 2.01
18.Aus Armstrong W.W RLB 32.07 10.78 1.58 2.55 4.26 4.00 2.17 2.94 1.22 2.58
Avge Rating points: 42.44
No major changes.
4. Across all Tests: Table of top pace bowlers
No.Cty Bowler BT Total Match Wkt Bow Bow Wkt Wkt Cons Peer Peer
Pts Perf Pts StRt Acc BtAvg Qlty Idx S/R RpO
Max 85-90 40-45 10.0 9.0 6.0 5.5 2.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
1.Eng Barnes S.F RFM 55.86 26.38 3.89 6.95 4.06 3.37 2.17 3.92 2.78 2.35
2.Nzl Hadlee R.J RFM 54.46 22.03 5.33 7.89 3.89 4.73 2.10 3.58 2.88 2.03
3.Aus Lillee D.K RF 53.18 21.83 4.53 7.81 3.68 4.92 2.18 3.55 2.81 1.88
4.Pak Imran Khan RF 52.70 21.36 4.60 7.55 3.98 5.15 2.14 3.11 2.72 2.09
5.Win Marshall M.D RF 50.85 18.99 4.55 8.19 3.88 4.59 2.21 3.32 3.09 2.02
6.Aus McGrath G.D RFM 50.80 18.94 5.93 7.21 4.39 3.84 2.24 3.27 2.63 2.36
7.Pak Fazal Mahmood RFM 50.02 22.99 2.90 6.15 3.87 4.32 2.29 3.09 2.26 2.15
8.Eng Trueman F.S RF 49.75 19.37 4.01 8.77 3.38 3.56 2.05 3.57 3.31 1.73
9.Pak Waqar Younis RFM 49.73 19.41 4.56 8.15 3.35 4.07 2.12 3.19 3.16 1.72
10.Saf Donald A.A RF 49.29 18.68 4.21 7.71 3.85 4.01 2.22 3.73 2.94 1.95
11.Win Ambrose C.E.L RF 49.27 18.67 4.71 7.06 4.41 4.00 2.17 3.33 2.52 2.40
12.Pak Wasim Akram LFM 48.70 18.77 4.85 7.06 4.11 3.91 1.95 3.37 2.56 2.13
13.Win Holding M.A RF 47.76 17.43 3.39 7.90 3.70 5.06 2.17 3.39 2.80 1.92
14.Saf Pollock S.M RFM 47.64 17.53 4.72 6.55 4.57 4.04 2.12 3.30 2.32 2.50
15.Win Garner J RF 47.26 17.11 3.49 7.84 4.10 4.44 1.99 3.32 2.80 2.16
16.Aus Thomson J.R RF 47.23 17.75 3.01 7.76 3.21 5.44 2.36 3.31 2.73 1.66
17.Eng Lohmann G.A RFM 47.17 17.98 3.01 7.57 4.59 2.65 2.01 3.81 3.06 2.50
18.Win Walsh C.A RF 47.16 16.56 5.54 6.76 4.15 4.13 2.06 3.38 2.42 2.16
19.Eng Willis R.G.D RF 46.99 16.75 3.93 7.70 3.60 4.51 2.24 3.68 2.75 1.83
20.Aus McDermott C.J RF 46.86 18.32 3.80 6.93 3.53 4.35 2.27 3.31 2.54 1.81
It is no surprise that Sydney Barnes is the top-rated Pace/Medium Pace bowler of all time. Helpful wickets notwithstanding, 7 wickets per test at 16.43 is the stuff of the top-most drawer. The five great modern bowlers, Hadlee, Lillee, Imran, Marshall and McGrath follow next. Can one of these bowlers be denied this high position. Then come the two great pace bowlers of the mid era and then the master of the late swing and the white lightning. Look at the next ten bowlers and you will see how tough this table is.
To view the complete list, please click here.
5. Across all Tests: Table of top spinners
No.Cty Bowler BT Total Match Wkt Bow Bow Wkt Wkt Cons Peer Peer
Pts Perf Pts StRt Acc BtAvg Qlty Idx S/R RpO
Max 85-90 40-45 10.0 9.0 6.0 5.5 2.5 4.0 4.0 4.0
1.Slk Muralitharan M ROB 56.95 22.76 8.24 6.89 4.47 4.01 2.05 3.62 2.48 2.43
2.Aus Warne S.K RLB 53.79 22.13 7.33 6.59 4.18 3.69 1.89 3.43 2.35 2.20
3.Aus O'Reilly W.J RLB 53.42 24.74 2.95 6.01 4.47 4.62 1.98 3.83 2.12 2.71
4.Aus Grimmett C.V RLB 53.34 24.74 3.68 6.22 4.27 4.22 1.96 3.62 2.27 2.35
5.Ind Kumble A RLB 49.22 19.07 6.54 5.65 4.12 4.13 2.03 3.47 2.03 2.18
6.Saf Tayfield H.J ROB 47.97 21.54 3.08 5.02 3.98 4.93 2.01 3.16 1.95 2.29
7.Eng Laker J.C ROB 47.74 19.09 3.01 7.09 3.86 4.33 2.19 3.38 2.58 2.21
8.Ind HarbhajanSingh ROB 46.63 19.42 4.14 5.67 4.13 3.81 1.89 3.37 2.03 2.17
9.Ind ChandrasekharB RLB 46.43 18.65 3.52 6.62 3.56 4.50 2.12 3.26 2.40 1.82
10.Pak SaqlainMushtaq ROB 45.26 18.80 3.22 5.54 4.19 3.95 1.96 3.42 2.00 2.17
11.Eng Underwood D.L LSP 44.99 17.00 3.68 5.55 4.30 4.62 2.29 3.14 2.03 2.39
12.Ind Bedi B.S LSP 44.79 17.55 3.60 4.77 4.20 4.50 2.20 3.75 1.88 2.33
13.Aus MacGill S.C.G RLB 44.77 18.26 3.16 6.81 3.58 3.65 1.83 3.16 2.44 1.87
14.Eng Blythe C LSP 44.39 17.63 2.47 6.60 3.96 3.30 2.43 3.33 2.44 2.22
15.Eng Peel R LSP 43.99 18.29 2.57 6.07 4.50 2.69 2.12 3.33 2.04 2.38
16.Aus Trumble H ROB 43.94 17.20 2.67 5.54 4.16 4.79 2.13 3.14 2.00 2.31
17.Ind Gupte S.P RLB 43.90 18.42 2.84 5.53 3.61 3.59 2.07 3.85 2.08 1.90
18.Aus Johnston W.A LSP 43.71 16.63 2.59 6.24 3.83 4.10 2.27 3.50 2.32 2.24
19.Aus Benaud R RLB 43.52 17.76 3.40 5.30 3.89 3.97 2.01 2.98 2.05 2.16
20.Win Gibbs L.R ROB 43.48 17.88 3.83 4.03 4.23 4.01 1.92 3.32 1.82 2.45
As expected Muralitharan is on top by a comfortable margin from the trio of the greatest leg-spinners of all time, viz., Warne, O'Reilly and Grimmett. Then another totally different leg spinner, Kumble. Afterwards come a plethora of off-spinners, led by Tayfield and Laker. Chandrasekhar splits these off spinners. Bedi and Underwood follow immediately afterwards. If readers are surprised to see MacGill so high on the table, do not forget that he was devastating in Australia with a haul of nearly 5 wickets per test and a strike rate better than Murali.
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I have done another selection. From each era I have picked the best 5-bowler balanced attack. This is my selection. You could do your own selection and mail me for publication. There are no restrictions whatsoever. This is your opportunity to have Marshall or Snow or Imran Khan or whoever lead the attack.
Current: Holding, McGrath, Wasim Akram, Warne and Muralitharan.
(Wasim Akram gets the nod over Waqar Younis for the sake of variety).
Middle: Trueman, Larwood, Davidson, Grimmett, Bedi.
Pre-WW1: Barnes, Lohmann, Turner, Spofforth, Briggs.
In the next few days I will come out with the Peer-based tables for different aspects of Test Batting.
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