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

[Meth]

Yeah, nah.

Honestly, I feel like he was on track prior to Newlands

 

[AlwaysGreen]

Honestly, I feel like he was on track prior to Newlands

Bradman scored a hundred every 2.8 innings. Average 99.94.

Played with a toothpick.

Smith is very good but no way.

 

[Meth]

Bradman scored a hundred every 2.8 innings. Average 99.94.

Played with a toothpick.

Smith is very good but no way.

Yeah. I guess I saw Smith's performances with the bat travelling north. It seemed like every time he went out to bat, he scored a big ton.

Plus, I actually get to watch Smith bat.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

Smith reminds of AB in the 80s.

 

[hineyrulz]

yeah, that's the thing with averages aren't the be all and end all - Sutcliffe's is higher, but most argue Hobbs was better

My old man said Pollock was the best he ever saw... at that level, they're all brilliant, pretty subjective.... days like Smith had yesterday are what people remember, everyone else plods and a great player looks like he's playing a different game

Pollock was finished at only 22, who knows what record he would of produced??? Pop rated him as good as he had seen besides the Don. He used to say he was totally incomparable.

 

[Meth]

Smith reminds of AB in the 80s.

In terms of his doggedness?

 

[The Mad Hatter]

In terms of his doggedness?

Doggedness.
Man amongst mice.
Lone figure.
Carrying Australia.

England trumpeting they bowled Australia for just under 300...not noting Australia got 160 odd with one recognised batsman and two genuine tailenders. Granted they were a bowler down.

Here's to a dismantling tonight.

 

[Bazal]

Honestly, I feel like he was on track prior to Newlands

Maybe not to beat the Don, BUT IIRC at one stage he was on track to beat Sachin for hundreds (with the caveat that he played enough Test to do so of course).

I can't believe there are still people who genuinely don't believe he is the best batsman in the world. It's not even a jingoistic thing anymore, he's just an all time great.

 

[hineyrulz]

In terms of his doggedness?

In terms of carrying Plodders.

 

[Twizzle]

thank god for Smudger, half decent score on the board, we just need to rely on at least 3 good bowlers plus Bananaman to do the job

 

[jargan83]

Smiffy

 

[JJ]

Maybe not to beat the Don, BUT IIRC at one stage he was on track to beat Sachin for hundreds (with the caveat that he played enough Test to do so of course).

I can't believe there are still people who genuinely don't believe he is the best batsman in the world. It's not even a jingoistic thing anymore, he's just an all time great.

He's the #1 test bat... not really open for debate... Indian fans will not agree, but not much point debating with them... Not sure how much importance to place on the average - which is a bit inflated because of teh nearly 80 average on the roads of home

 

[Bazal]

He's the #1 test bat... not really open for debate... Indian fans will not agree, but not much point debating with them... Not sure how much importance to place on the average - which is a bit inflated because of teh nearly 80 average on the roads of home

Do any other formats really matter? Honestly?

Anyway you're right re the Indians... Kohli is a gun, no mistake, but Smith is in a different universe. Roads or not, it's not like his average is anything less than world class away from home at 51 or so

 

[The Mad Hatter]

He's the #1 test bat... not really open for debate... Indian fans will not agree, but not much point debating with them... Not sure how much importance to place on the average - which is a bit inflated because of teh nearly 80 average on the roads of home

Bradman only played Tests in England and Australia. Probably inflated that average a smidge too.

 

[JJ]

Do any other formats really matter? Honestly?

Anyway you're right re the Indians... Kohli is a gun, no mistake, but Smith is in a different universe. Roads or not, it's not like his average is anything less than world class away from home at 51 or so

Test cricket clearly most important - I wouldn't say Smith is in a different universe, but he's clearly better

Because he looks so shit, I think many (including me) took too long to be convinced... but it's not a debate any more

 

[Meth]

Do any other formats really matter? Honestly?

No

 

[hineyrulz]

Bradman only played Tests in England and Australia. Probably inflated that average a smidge too.

He played on uncovered decks with a toothpick and no helmets , he had fewer nations to play but also less free lunches like there are today. Incompatible.

 

[Bazal]

Test cricket clearly most important - I wouldn't say Smith is in a different universe, but he's clearly better

Because he looks so shit, I think many (including me) took too long to be convinced... but it's not a debate any more

For me, Smith is in a different universe because of what's been around him.

The Indian batting line-up is very good. Smith and to a lesser extent Warner at home have been lone rangers for us for much of the time since the likes of Clarke and Hussey retired. Obviously there were a few others here and there but Smith has been just about it for a while.

Of course part of that is due in some way to selections too... But that's a separate discussion

 

[Bazal]

He played on uncovered decks with a toothpick and no helmets , he had fewer nations to play but also less free lunches like there are today. Incompatible.

Yeah, you can't compare eras like that IMO. Things are just too different.

 

[The Mad Hatter]

He played on uncovered decks with a toothpick and no helmets , he had fewer nations to play but also less free lunches like there are today. Incompatible.

I know, I know...

The Don is an absolute outlier, a statistical anomaly across ALL sports.