As we all know, r/cricket has its own fair share of opinions which are formed as the result of people agreeing or disagreeing with it. However, I find that s this sub tends to be slightly hostile to those who disagree and I felt that such a thread would be a safer platform for people to agree and disagree.
I think r/cricket has a lot of great cricketing minds and generally as a whole, this subreddit has a lot to offer but I feel that at times, I find myself on the opposing end of such debates.
So let’s get started
1. Dale Steyn is the greatest Test bowler of all time
His stats are pretty fucking insane. 439 wickets @ an average of 22.95 and SR of 42.39. Everyone knows about his record in India where his SR is like 37. Pretty fucking impressive, right?
Firstly, I think pace bowling in India is massively misrepresented. The rough pitches means that the ball gets roughed up quickly and to a greater extent and this can actually aid reverse swing, a skill Steyn is adept at. Umesh Yadav and Shami of India have been largely successful due to this factor.
Secondly, he averages 21 in India but over 30 in England. As much as bowling well in more unfavourable conditions is impressive, bowling poorly in favourable conditions is just as unimpressive. It’s like you excelling at Grade 10 Math when you’re struggling with the content being taught at Grade 6. Not to forget, he averages more than 30 in Sri Lanka and the UAE. How can you be cited as someone who can conquer all conditions when you average more than 30 in 3 countries?
So now, I’m probably gonna be asked, who do you reckon is the GOAT Test bowler? For me it’s a battle of the knights- Richard Hadlee or Curtly Ambrose. Both of them averaged under 30 in all conditions. I know Hadlee averaged more than 30 in Pakistan but he only played 3 matches compared to Steyn’s 15 matches in countries he wasn’t as great in.
2. Andy Flower should be roped into an ATG Test XI ahead of Adam Gilchrist
Flower played for a weaker team, I grant you that, but that probably helped him to rack up a better average than Gilly as he batted at 5 well through his whole career while the latter batted at 7.
Whenever the argument of Gilly having the longer career (and more runs) is brought up, people are quick to say that Flower has to retire for no fault of his. Well that considered, after the same number of Tests, Gilly averaged about 51 (that too at a better SR and batting higher up).
People are gonna say- oh Flower played with a bunch of peasants while Gilly had that ATG team. As much as it wasn’t Flower’s fault to have a weak team and a corrupt board, it wasn’t the latter’s fault to have such a great team. Both of them made use of their resources. Hence, I rate them pretty equally.
So why does Flower miss out on the ATG Test team? The reason is simple, really simple. Most ATG teams have a batting lineup comprising Bradman, Sachin, Smith, Gavaskar etc so why the hell do you need someone who essentially does the same thing as them? You’re better off picking the better gloveman and the more versatile batsman in Gilly.
3. Kane Williamson > Joe Root and Root shouldn’t even be in the Fab 4.
Made this just a few days back and I can’t be arsed to type it all out again given how I typed a huge chunk up there.
4. Test cricket is the best cricket.
Now this one’s a minor one but this sub is seriously evolving to a point where anyone who disagrees will be hung, drawn and quartered. Every cricket format has a different purpose and while it’s natural to have a favourite, it’s absurd to say objectively that one format is the best one. Cricket is cricket and every format is objectively equally as good. I was hoping this COVID situation would get people to realise that but it seems like we’re heading on a downward spiral.
So yeah, that’s it from me. I’m sorry if you felt hurt but I just wanted a platform to share my own thoughts which I’m sure a good number of people do.
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