2019 ASHES: 1st Test Australia v England, Edgbaston Aug 1-5

[Tommy Smith]

He’s arguably the greatest of all time in all sports. No player has been more dominant on their chosen sport than him. He’s nearly twice as good as the all time greats. Scary especially when you factor in he lost 8 years due to the war.

The Don should be studied at university ... his record fascinates me endlessly because it is such a scarcely believable outlier.

The eternal GoaT.

My all time top 6 would look something like:

Hobbs/Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Don Bradman
Steve Smith
Graeme Pollock
Garry Sobers

 

[The Mad Hatter]

I read a Yank study on the greatest sporters once. At the end they had asteriks and mentioned Don.

There was so much curiosity and also WTF when they followed it up, pitting Don againt his own sport and then Jordan and all their big stars of sport.

They literally argued Jordan would have to get a 100 points EVERY game.

 

[Fangs]

Best since Bradman was slapped on Ponting once before as well. Has Steve Smith really earned that title yet?

 

[Dave's mate]

Best since Bradman was slapped on Ponting once before as well. Has Steve Smith really earned that title yet?

I think so. Scores in all conditions and all situations

 

[Haffa]

I was so excited I pegged myself.

That's called the Haynetrain

 

[Haffa]

Best since Bradman was slapped on Ponting once before as well. Has Steve Smith really earned that title yet?

Yes. He's carried us for years and will for the foreseeable.

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Best since Bradman was slapped on Ponting once before as well. Has Steve Smith really earned that title yet?

Like all batsmen, including The Don, and regardless of gow fit you are, age and it's effect on eye and reaction will catch up with Smith. At 30 he's probably got 4 years before that happens.

 

[jargan83]

The Don should be studied at university ... his record fascinates me endlessly because it is such a scarcely believable outlier.

The eternal GoaT.

My all time top 6 would look something like:

Hobbs/Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Don Bradman
Steve Smith
Graeme Pollock
Garry Sobers

Stick with Hobbs then post it somewhere on Cricinfo, the melt will be delicious.

 

[Bazal]

Stick with Hobbs then post it somewhere on Cricinfo, the melt will be delicious.

"HOW CAN YOU LEAVE OUT GAVASKAR AND KOHLI AND DRAVID AND PUJARA AND SEHWAG AND SACHIIIIIIIIIIIIIN AND GANGULY AND LAXMAN YOU ARE A RACIST NOT ONE INDIA PLAYER WHO HAVE PRODUCED ALL THE BEST CRICKETS EVER TO LIVE!!!!! SANDPAPER CHEATER!!!! BRADMAN ONLY PLAYED AGAINST ENGLAND AND FOR HIS STATS MOST OVERRATED BAT SACHIN AND KOHLI AR TRUE GOATS!!!! "

 

[WaznTheGreat]

Jack Hobbs has to be the greatest,not many could play cricket at the highest level and also be a brilliant racehorse at the same time

 

[Twizzle]

talking to some poms on an english forum, they seem to think they have let us off the hook and expecting us to bowl them out for under 100 like Ireland did

 

[TheParraboy]

Not sure Smiths comparison with Bradman, he was in a different league

Whilst Smith is brilliant at test level, his gap between Williamson and Kholi and others etc..is no where near the gap Bradman had with his nearest rivals

Luckily Smith didn't receive a 5 years suspension eh?

Worrying thing for us, Siddle and Lyon seemed to bat ok, so the wicket is obviously easier to bat on. Need to get 3-4 wickets in this first session day 2,

.......... other wise we need to unleash hell (MS Wade)

 

[mozza91]

The Don should be studied at university ... his record fascinates me endlessly because it is such a scarcely believable outlier.

The eternal GoaT.

My all time top 6 would look something like:

Hobbs/Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Don Bradman
Steve Smith
Graeme Pollock
Garry Sobers

I’ve got a problem with your number 6. You appear to have misspelt Stoinis.

 

[hineyrulz]

The Don should be studied at university ... his record fascinates me endlessly because it is such a scarcely believable outlier.

The eternal GoaT.

My all time top 6 would look something like:

Hobbs/Gavaskar
Barry Richards
Don Bradman
Steve Smith
Graeme Pollock
Garry Sobers

In the Immortal words of Haynetrain, so luscious!!

 

[wilco44]

All I can write- SMITHY!

 

[Meapro Ham]

Surprised England are $1.75 to win. Lot of work to do batting last.

284 is a solid total considering how poor both batting line ups are.

 

[Fangs]

Like all batsmen, including The Don, and regardless of gow fit you are, age and it's effect on eye and reaction will catch up with Smith. At 30 he's probably got 4 years before that happens.

So you think right now he is the best since Bradman? Or that he might be on potential?

 

[Fangs]

I think so. Scores in all conditions and all situations

Fancy the blonde part time leggie becoming that good. This was during a period that saw Shane Watson promoted to opener at test level. Still hard to believe the career he has had.

 

[TheFrog]

Best since Bradman was slapped on Ponting once before as well. Has Steve Smith really earned that title yet?

Average 62 over 118 innings, I think so.

Fancy the blonde part time leggie becoming that good. This was during a period that saw Shane Watson promoted to opener at test level. Still hard to believe the career he has had.

My son has a mate who is/was a quickie, reckons Smith was his bunny back in the day.

 

[Bazal]

So you think right now he is the best since Bradman? Or that he might be on potential?

Pretty clear that he is right now. He's second for all time averages as it stands, and if you take out Voges' inflated, short career the next best modern player is Kumar Sangakkara with an average of 57. Smith beats him by five runs