Underachievers in cricket


Underachievers in cricket

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MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 12:12 PM
baggygreenmania - 23 Sep 2019 11:18 AM

Depends on what you look at when looking at the term underachieved. Scott "can't bowl, can't field" Muller would probably fall into the category of not given a fair go. His 2 tests he took 7/258 @ 36.85 which looks to be poor but I can think of worse returns that have continued to be re-selected. In those two particular matches against Pakistan in 1999, Glenn McGrath only returned 7/300 @ 43 so you could say Muller gave a better return than McGrath so maybe he should have been given more opportunity. Muller's strike rates in those tests was 49 which is Scott Muller, he was brilliant with the new ball in hand at shield level but at test level was first change behind McGrath and Fleming and rightfully so, but it did negate his effectiveness. Glenn McGrath's SR in those 2 tests was a whopping 81. So I think he would definitely fall into the not given a fair go category more so than an underachiever category

Yeah - you need to define the terms. Not given a chance despite talent, can result in underachieving, but its different from lots of talent, lots of chances, and still not  achieving. 
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Paddles - 23 Sep 2019 12:43 PM
MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 12:12 PM

Yeah - you need to define the terms. Not given a chance despite talent, can result in underachieving, but its different from lots of talent, lots of chances, and still not  achieving. 

Totally agree otherwise you'd have to put Callum Ferguson, Joe Mennie, Ashton Agar, Hastings, Quiney, Peter George, Clint McKay the list goes on.

But thought about it definitely Marsh Brothers, but in the true definition of underachiever, I'll say Mark Waugh, because IMO more talented than his brother with the bat, but so lazy, IMO should have finished his career with stats matching if not better than Steve. Khawaja may also fall into that particular category. Speaking of the Marsh brothers how about their father Geoff, or Graham Wood. Peter Nevill is another that just came to mind. Most disappointing for me was Michael Kasprowicz. So much talent at state level and bowled to some of the best batsmen Australia has ever produced, yet could never reproduce at test level.
Edited
5 Years Ago by MikeR
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MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM
Paddles - 23 Sep 2019 12:43 PM

Totally agree otherwise you'd have to put Callum Ferguson, Joe Mennie, Ashton Agar, Hastings, Quiney, Peter George, Clint McKay the list goes on.

But thought about it definitely Marsh Brothers, but in the true definition of underachiever, I'll say Mark Waugh, because IMO more talented than his brother with the bat, but so lazy, IMO should have finished his career with stats matching if not better than Steve. Khawaja may also fall into that particular category. Speaking of the Marsh brothers how about their father Geoff, or Graham Wood. Peter Nevill is another that just came to mind

Flemming too in test cricket, with the worst conversation rate in test cricket history. He barely averaged 40. Much better batsman than that, but 9 centuries vs 46 50's is underachieving. But for the most part we have not been blessed with underachievers. Just people trying to compete against more talented  and trained foreign players. Ken Rutherford completely and undeniably definitely underachieved. There was always an expectation that he would click into gear consistently, but it just never ever happened. There were always excuses made for him, as the NZ media loved him. "Never got over debuting in the WI in 1984/85, or got a jafa". A test batting average of 27 is not the stuff of a kid who scored 300 runs in a day in England FC as a kid.

Chanderpaul is a great, but if he had removed that bone in his foot earlier, he could have been their champion more than Lara perhaps. We will never know. Mohammad Asif completely underachieved through destroying his own chances losing his career to spot fixing. He was on target to be am ATG great bowler. These two had impressive careers for what they did do, but we will never know the what-if's.





Edited
5 Years Ago by Paddles
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Paddles - 23 Sep 2019 1:44 PM
MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM

Flemming too in test cricket, with the worst conversation rate in test cricket history. He barely averaged 40. Much better batsman than that, but 9 centuries vs 46 50's is underachieving. But for the most part we have not been blessed with underachievers. Just people trying to compete against more talented  and trained foreign players. Ken Rutherford completely and undeniably definitely underachieved. There was always an expectation that he would click into gear consistently, but it just never ever happened. There were always excuses made for him, as the NZ media loved him. "Never got over debuting in the WI in 1984/85, or got a jafa". A test batting average of 27 is not the stuff of a kid who scored 300 runs in a day in England FC as a kid.

Chanderpaul is a great, but if he had removed that bone in his foot earlier, he could have been their champion more than Lara perhaps. We will never know. Mohammad Asif completely underachieved through destroying his own chances losing his career to spot fixing. He was on target to be am ATG great bowler. These two had impressive careers for what they did do, but we will never know the what-if's.





Fleming I would agree with you but 55 scores over 50 from 189 innings, 3.5 innings for a score over 50 not great but would you classify as underachieving. What about Slater 131 innings only 35 scores over 50 3.7 innings for a score over 50... worse than Fleming. Similar records but Fleming was brilliant in the field.
Definite on Ken Rutherford, another one where excuses were constantly made for a player. I love excuses it is the perfect sign of having an under-performer, the constant need to having to defend a poor performance.

Brian Lara IMO played for Brian Lara. Of his highest scores something like 10 200+ how many resulted in a West Indian win? I only remember one when he took the long handle to McGrath and Warne in the West Indies, the others draws or losses  Totally different story with Chanderpaul came in at 5 or 6 a lot of the time having to bat with the tail giving something for the bowlers to bowl at and on quite a few occasions giving the West Indies a win from nothing. Chanderpaul is a totally under-rated player. Wasn't he something like 100 scores over 50 and Lara only about 60 in total. I know Chanderpaul played a lot more matches, but he never got the accolades he richly deserved.

Here's a few more from when I was a kid that got plenty of opportunity but little return playing tests for Australia.
Greg Dyer totally useless at FC level yet played 6 tests for Australia,
Mike Valetta,
Dave Whatmore,
Mike Whitney, excellent FC record but 12 test only 39 wickets @34
Dave Gilbert shocking FC bowling average yet played 9 tests for Australia and bowled @ 52 average
Ian Davis,
Peter Sleep,
Bob Holland, averaged 40 with the ball at test level
Allan Turner very poor FC record yet played 14 tests for Australia for minimal return,
Rick Darling,
Gary Cosier,
David Hookes outstanding FC yet never performed at test level only 1 century from 23 tests,
Ray Bright,
Steve Rixon,
Peter Toohey, never recovered from being hit in the face by Andy Roberts, probably a challenger for the most useless Ashes performer, just kidding Warner wins hands down.
Remember the first Steve Smith who went to South Africa rebel tour amazing 50 + average over there , an excellent ODI player but 3 official Australian tests averaged 8.
Edited
5 Years Ago by MikeR
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MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 12:12 PM
baggygreenmania - 23 Sep 2019 11:18 AM

Depends on what you look at when looking at the term underachieved. Scott "can't bowl, can't field" Muller would probably fall into the category of not given a fair go. His 2 tests he took 7/258 @ 36.85 which looks to be poor but I can think of worse returns that have continued to be re-selected. In those two particular matches against Pakistan in 1999, Glenn McGrath only returned 7/300 @ 43 so you could say Muller gave a better return than McGrath so maybe he should have been given more opportunity. Muller's strike rates in those tests was 49 which is Scott Muller, he was brilliant with the new ball in hand at shield level but at test level was first change behind McGrath and Fleming and rightfully so, but it did negate his effectiveness. Glenn McGrath's SR in those 2 tests was a whopping 81. So I think he would definitely fall into the not given a fair go category more so than an underachiever category

Greg Rowell wasn' t too bad. When he came to Qld he just had too many to fight off to get a start, McDermott, Tazelaar, Rackemann, Kasper, Bichel, Muller etc so he left for Tasmania where I think he did well. Brendon Drew a name from the past, but I totally agree major underachiever, averaged 40 at FC level and played quite a few games.

But here is a few I'd classify as test underachievers in recent times, Ed Cowan, Nathan Bracken, Philip Hughes, Moises Henriques, Copeland (probably falls into the not given enough opportunity), Michael Bevan, Dirk Whellam, but the biggest of all John Dyson.

But here is a few I'd classify as test underachievers in recent times, Ed Cowan, Nathan Bracken, Philip Hughes, Moises Henriques, Copeland (probably falls into the not given enough opportunity), Michael Bevan, Dirk Whellam, but the biggest of all John Dyson.

All Blue players. So why does that not surprise me. Depends in what format you class them as underachievers.. Bevan and Bracken were excellent white ball players.  If Tests fair thing. I'll see if I can find some Qlanders equally underachieving. Betting there are plenty. Pleased you clarified about Copeland. 


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baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 10:07 AM
MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 12:12 PM

But here is a few I'd classify as test underachievers in recent times, Ed Cowan, Nathan Bracken, Philip Hughes, Moises Henriques, Copeland (probably falls into the not given enough opportunity), Michael Bevan, Dirk Whellam, but the biggest of all John Dyson.

All Blue players. So why does that not surprise me. Depends in what format you class them as underachievers.. Bevan and Bracken were excellent white ball players.  If Tests fair thing. I'll see if I can find some Qlanders equally underachieving. Betting there are plenty. Pleased you clarified about Copeland. 


Qld underachievers. Martin Kent, Andy Bichel, Greg Ritchie, Peter George, Shane Watson, Carl Rackemann, Kasper. Mitch Johnson (for most of his career).  Conversely these two..Martin Love and Stuart Law were desperately unlucky not to play more Test cricket. I was always of the opinion Ashley Nofke was a Test standard bowler too.
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5 Years Ago by baggygreenmania
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baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 10:28 AM
baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 10:07 AM

Qld underachievers. Martin Kent, Andy Bichel, Greg Ritchie, Peter George, Shane Watson, Carl Rackemann, Kasper. Mitch Johnson (for most of his career).  Conversely these two..Martin Love and Stuart Law were desperately unlucky not to play more Test cricket. I was always of the opinion Ashley Nofke was a Test standard bowler too.

You must read all the posts Baggers, we did say there are those that fall into not given enough opportunities
Martin Kent 3 tests av 28 not great but only 3 tests to prove himself
Andy Bichel, proverbial 12th man, rarely given multiple matches straight played 19 tests over a 7 year period
Peter George 1 test...really judging on 1 test
Greg Ritchie 30 tests av 36 could have been better but I wouldn't classify as an Under-achiever
Shane Watson, Australia still yet to find a replacement of his calibre in the all-round aspect, how many other all-rounders have ever played for Australia with better stats av 36 with the bat and 33 with the ball, I can't think of many off the top of my head
Carl Rackemann 12 test 39 wickets @ 29 hardly underachieving (just think of recent bowling performances if you want to go down that road)
Kasper I've all ready posted as a major disappointment
Johnson 2 named ICC player of the year, the only bowler to ever do that in the world, yeah right

Ones I've mentioned sure maybe NSW players, actually never really noticed that but lets see
Ed Cowan was selected from Tasmania, 19 tests av 32 batsman only, pretty low don't you think, 1 century in 32 innings, how did he get 19 tests?
Nathan Bracken did OK at ODI's never performed at test level 5 tests 12 wickets @ 42 therefore did under-perform at test level and got 5 tests
Philip Hughes averaged 46 @ FC level 26 tests av 32 How does a player av 32 get 26 tests? 3 centuries from 50 innings. (Burns got 16 test with 40 average and 4 centuries)
Henriques the great all-rounder 4 tests bat test ave 23 with bat, 82 with ball, always selected as an all-rounder afterall FC av of 32 with the bat isn't screaming out select me and there are many others with a lot better average.
Copeland I admitted he falls into not given enough opportunity but 3 tests 7 wickets @ 38
Michael Bevan ODI's av 54 amazing FC average 57 spectacular, Test average 18 tests plenty of opportunity av 29 definition of under-achieving at test level
Dirk Welham, the guy who stuffed up Qld, 6 tests av 23 .....really you don't think underachiever FC 42
The biggest of all John Dyson 30 tests av 26 only 2 centuries....really 30 tests? FC av 40.

We are talking about those that did get a few opportunities but never really did anything no bias intended, it's not my fault they're from NSW but they got more opportunities than many others and did underachieve. I did follow up with an additional 16 from earlier when I was a kid a few even earlier mentioning Kasper and the Marsh Bros, read all the posts Baggers, my bias is all in your mind and not true






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MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 1:40 PM
baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 10:28 AM

You must read all the posts Baggers, we did say there are those that fall into not given enough opportunities
Martin Kent 3 tests av 28 not great but only 3 tests to prove himself
Andy Bichel, proverbial 12th man, rarely given multiple matches straight played 19 tests over a 7 year period
Peter George 1 test...really judging on 1 test
Greg Ritchie 30 tests av 36 could have been better but I wouldn't classify as an Under-achiever
Shane Watson, Australia still yet to find a replacement of his calibre in the all-round aspect, how many other all-rounders have ever played for Australia with better stats av 36 with the bat and 33 with the ball, I can't think of many off the top of my head
Carl Rackemann 12 test 39 wickets @ 29 hardly underachieving (just think of recent bowling performances if you want to go down that road)
Kasper I've all ready posted as a major disappointment
Johnson 2 named ICC player of the year, the only bowler to ever do that in the world, yeah right

Ones I've mentioned sure maybe NSW players, actually never really noticed that but lets see
Ed Cowan was selected from Tasmania, 19 tests av 32 batsman only, pretty low don't you think, 1 century in 32 innings, how did he get 19 tests?
Nathan Bracken did OK at ODI's never performed at test level 5 tests 12 wickets @ 42 therefore did under-perform at test level and got 5 tests
Philip Hughes averaged 46 @ FC level 26 tests av 32 How does a player av 32 get 26 tests? 3 centuries from 50 innings. (Burns got 16 test with 40 average and 4 centuries)
Henriques the great all-rounder 4 tests bat test ave 23 with bat, 82 with ball, always selected as an all-rounder afterall FC av of 32 with the bat isn't screaming out select me and there are many others with a lot better average.
Copeland I admitted he falls into not given enough opportunity but 3 tests 7 wickets @ 38
Michael Bevan ODI's av 54 amazing FC average 57 spectacular, Test average 18 tests plenty of opportunity av 29 definition of under-achieving at test level
Dirk Welham, the guy who stuffed up Qld, 6 tests av 23 .....really you don't think underachiever FC 42
The biggest of all John Dyson 30 tests av 26 only 2 centuries....really 30 tests? FC av 40.

We are talking about those that did get a few opportunities but never really did anything no bias intended, it's not my fault they're from NSW but they got more opportunities than many others and did underachieve. I did follow up with an additional 16 from earlier when I was a kid a few even earlier mentioning Kasper and the Marsh Bros, read all the posts Baggers, my bias is all in your mind and not true






Rackemannn could bowl well for a baldie quick. I used to mimic his action in the backyard.
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Paddles - 24 Sep 2019 1:54 PM
MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 1:40 PM

Rackemannn could bowl well for a baldie quick. I used to mimic his action in the backyard.

He's a nice guy, bowled as first change, never given any opportunity what 12 tests over 11 years, no wonder he went on the rebel tour to SA. His last 2 tests he didn't take a wicket so his first 10 tests 39 wickets @ 24 hardly under-achieving, and to think Lawson who averaged 31 at test level kept a 24 average bowler out of the side. I think Baggers is just grasping at straws.

I was about to post maybe Lawson who took 180 wickets from 78 innings @ 31, but then remembered you know who, who has bowled 90 innings for 184, 12 additional innings for you know who, for an additional 4 wickets, just don't want to start something there, what with me being bias and all.
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MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 1:40 PM
baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 10:28 AM

You must read all the posts Baggers, we did say there are those that fall into not given enough opportunities
Martin Kent 3 tests av 28 not great but only 3 tests to prove himself
Andy Bichel, proverbial 12th man, rarely given multiple matches straight played 19 tests over a 7 year period
Peter George 1 test...really judging on 1 test
Greg Ritchie 30 tests av 36 could have been better but I wouldn't classify as an Under-achiever
Shane Watson, Australia still yet to find a replacement of his calibre in the all-round aspect, how many other all-rounders have ever played for Australia with better stats av 36 with the bat and 33 with the ball, I can't think of many off the top of my head
Carl Rackemann 12 test 39 wickets @ 29 hardly underachieving (just think of recent bowling performances if you want to go down that road)
Kasper I've all ready posted as a major disappointment
Johnson 2 named ICC player of the year, the only bowler to ever do that in the world, yeah right

Ones I've mentioned sure maybe NSW players, actually never really noticed that but lets see
Ed Cowan was selected from Tasmania, 19 tests av 32 batsman only, pretty low don't you think, 1 century in 32 innings, how did he get 19 tests?
Nathan Bracken did OK at ODI's never performed at test level 5 tests 12 wickets @ 42 therefore did under-perform at test level and got 5 tests
Philip Hughes averaged 46 @ FC level 26 tests av 32 How does a player av 32 get 26 tests? 3 centuries from 50 innings. (Burns got 16 test with 40 average and 4 centuries)
Henriques the great all-rounder 4 tests bat test ave 23 with bat, 82 with ball, always selected as an all-rounder afterall FC av of 32 with the bat isn't screaming out select me and there are many others with a lot better average.
Copeland I admitted he falls into not given enough opportunity but 3 tests 7 wickets @ 38
Michael Bevan ODI's av 54 amazing FC average 57 spectacular, Test average 18 tests plenty of opportunity av 29 definition of under-achieving at test level
Dirk Welham, the guy who stuffed up Qld, 6 tests av 23 .....really you don't think underachiever FC 42
The biggest of all John Dyson 30 tests av 26 only 2 centuries....really 30 tests? FC av 40.

We are talking about those that did get a few opportunities but never really did anything no bias intended, it's not my fault they're from NSW but they got more opportunities than many others and did underachieve. I did follow up with an additional 16 from earlier when I was a kid a few even earlier mentioning Kasper and the Marsh Bros, read all the posts Baggers, my bias is all in your mind and not true






Love your data on the aforementioned players, Mike.

Very interesting viewing their records.

As long as it doesn't include any allusion to one specific, current player you have well documented.



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MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 2:15 PM
Paddles - 24 Sep 2019 1:54 PM

He's a nice guy, bowled as first change, never given any opportunity what 12 tests over 11 years, no wonder he went on the rebel tour to SA. His last 2 tests he didn't take a wicket so his first 10 tests 39 wickets @ 24 hardly under-achieving, and to think Lawson who averaged 31 at test level kept a 24 average bowler out of the side. 

I was about to post  Lawson  took 180 wickets from 78 innings @ 31.

I seem to remember Rackemann and Lawson as successful test bowlers without ever really looking at their figures.

At the end of Lawson's career he had a bad spell and was dropped. He took it very badly. He seemed like a negative bloke and a cynic in the commentary box. Nothing ever seemed to impress him.

Rackemann seemed like a nice guy.
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MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 2:15 PM
Paddles - 24 Sep 2019 1:54 PM

He's a nice guy, bowled as first change, never given any opportunity what 12 tests over 11 years, no wonder he went on the rebel tour to SA. His last 2 tests he didn't take a wicket so his first 10 tests 39 wickets @ 24 hardly under-achieving, and to think Lawson who averaged 31 at test level kept a 24 average bowler out of the side. I think Baggers is just grasping at straws.

I was about to post maybe Lawson who took 180 wickets from 78 innings @ 31, but then remembered you know who, who has bowled 90 innings for 184, 12 additional innings for you know who, for an additional 4 wickets, just don't want to start something there, what with me being bias and all.

There you go with the part stats again.. Rackers..who for the record I liked for his competitiveness.. averaged an underachieving career @29. I regard any bowler that pushes @30.. as fair to good..nothing more. All those I named were after looking at their stats.. FC as well in case of those with few Tests.. You are the one clutching at straws pal.
Edited
5 Years Ago by baggygreenmania
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baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 5:01 PM
MikeR - 24 Sep 2019 2:15 PM

There you go with the part stats again.. Rackers..who for the record I liked for his competitiveness.. averaged an underachieving @29.1. I regard any bowler over @28 av.. fair to good but nothing more. All those I named were after looking at their stats.. FC as well in case of those with few Tests.. You are the one clutching at straws pal.

Rackemann was no great. But he would have averaged 28 or less if he didn't have to play NZ in 89/90 :P

Rackemann was nothing special. But he could bowl a bit. NZ was really really strong that season (Hadlee's final but it was Wright with the bat), and that series in WI in 1984, ugh for any opposition that wasn't special really....

26.32 in Aus, made off the back of dominating Pak in the 1980's in Aus with 16.69, not a bad effort really... Miandad, Khan, Muddy, Salim and Ijaz I presume, Akram in the tail, Zaheer Abbas in the first series.
 
Rackemann is no all time great, but I liked him as a cricket fan. Don't know how he found the pace, I couldn't with his action.

Rackemann is an unknown, he got dropped and rebel toured, noone knows... Aldeman we know would have dominated outside of Aus in England in 1985. That's for sure.... And caused NZ some problems too...

Bruce Reid is the player lost to world and Aus cricket for this period. Now he was seriously something. That bouncing ball.... You had to trust the pitch so much more...
Edited
5 Years Ago by Paddles
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MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM
Paddles - 23 Sep 2019 12:43 PM

Totally agree otherwise you'd have to put Callum Ferguson, Joe Mennie, Ashton Agar, Hastings, Quiney, Peter George, Clint McKay the list goes on.

But thought about it definitely Marsh Brothers, but in the true definition of underachiever, I'll say Mark Waugh, because IMO more talented than his brother with the bat, but so lazy, IMO should have finished his career with stats matching if not better than Steve. Khawaja may also fall into that particular category. Speaking of the Marsh brothers how about their father Geoff, or Graham Wood. Peter Nevill is another that just came to mind. Most disappointing for me was Michael Kasprowicz. So much talent at state level and bowled to some of the best batsmen Australia has ever produced, yet could never reproduce at test level.

Peter Geoge underachieved at FC level.. why I included him.
Mark Waugh yes lazy and lacking the mental stamina of Steve. That is what separates a good batsman from a great one. So yes I agree Mark did underachieve. Underachieving seems to run in the Marsh family. Agree with Wood. For mine Nevill was only a keeper never a test class batsman. Have to say the same about Paine.
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baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 5:19 PM
MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM

Peter Geoge underachieved at FC level.. why I included him.
Mark Waugh yes lazy and lacking the mental stamina of Steve. That is what separates a good batsman from a great one. So yes I agree Mark did underachieve. Underachieving seems to run in the Marsh family. Agree with Wood. For mine Nevill was only a keeper never a test class batsman. Have to say the same about Paine.

Okay - gonna put it out there, was Mark a greater talent, or simply a better stroke-maker than Steve? Which he definitely was in term sof stroke making. Cos Punter to me oozed talent. Mark Waugh just had pretty shots, and Steve Waugh, well I'm not going to comment - but Steve was "smarter" than Mark is not playing dumb shots (eg, put away his hook)...

Mark took more risks than Steve, and as such, was a great ODI opener. But Steve was far more dour and more of a smart fighter, not playing low percentages like Mark... Punter could do both... You have to go back to the 1980's besides a few shots at the 99 wc to see the cavalier Steve Waugh...

Who do I want in my team? The one who gives me the results? Who is it of these three... I suspect it may well be Punter... I know who I think has the bigger cricket smarts as a batsman, its Punter any day of the week... Mark Waugh relied on his talent, Steve Waugh his smarts, Punter - he had both....

Now my complaint about media, Bishop for bowlers discusses plans. Punter for batsmen discusses plans. The rest discuss who they thought was a better play in their day, what is a better pizza or who is hot on tinder. YAWN. I would happily listen to Bishop and Punter in commentary all day long, and put a fork in the rest. Hands down my favourite active commentators talking about the action. But the ECB team do try withe the "third man" segment.... which I think everyone else should adopt... I gotta be honest, NZ domestic commentators Mills and Adams (now NSW bowling coach that Starc loves) are so much better than our intl commentators, cos they discuss plans. Mills' theory was - put a fielder in a batsman's strongzone and invite him to beat the fielder...and bowl to it... now there's a plan, good or bad depends, on results, but at least it's a theory.... I wish I knew the player insight when they were still players, so I could see immediately before they did it, what they were trying to execute. 

Btw, expect NZ to have leg slip/gullies for Smith all summer. We came up with that. Not England. Check the WC tape :P That's our plan for him. England copied it. But we will field and execute better (I HOPE!!!! - SMITH IS SO GOOOD)
Edited
5 Years Ago by Paddles
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Paddles - 24 Sep 2019 5:23 PM
baggygreenmania - 24 Sep 2019 5:19 PM

Okay - gonna put it out there, was Mark a greater talent, or simply a better stroke-maker than Steve? Which he definitely was in term sof stroke making. Cos Punter to me oozed talent. Mark Waugh just had pretty shots, and Steve Waugh, well I'm not going to comment - but Steve was "smarter" than Mark is not playing dumb shots (eg, put away his hook)...

Mark took more risks than Steve, and as such, was a great ODI opener. But Steve was far more dour and more of a smart fighter, not playing low percentages like Mark... Punter could do both... You have to go back to the 1980's besides a few shots at the 99 wc to see the cavalier Steve Waugh...

Who do I want in my team? The one who gives me the results? Who is it of these three... I suspect it may well be Punter... I know who I think has the bigger cricket smarts as a batsman, its Punter any day of the week... Mark Waugh relied on his talent, Steve Waugh his smarts, Punter - he had both....

Now my complaint about media, Bishop for bowlers discusses plans. Punter for batsmen discusses plans. The rest discuss who they thought was a better play in their day, what is a better pizza or who is hot on tinder. YAWN. I would happily listen to Bishop and Punter in commentary all day long, and put a fork in the rest. Hands down my favourite active commentators talking about the action. But the ECB team do try withe the "third man" segment.... which I think everyone else should adopt... I gotta be honest, NZ domestic commentators Mills and Adams (now NSW bowling coach that Starc loves) are so much better than our intl commentators, cos they discuss plans. Mills' theory was - put a fielder in a batsman's strongzone and invite him to beat the fielder...and bowl to it... now there's a plan, good or bad depends, on results, but at least it's a theory.... I wish I knew the player insight when they were still players, so I could see immediately before they did it, what they were trying to execute. 

Btw, expect NZ to have leg slip/gullies for Smith all summer. We came up with that. Not England. Check the WC tape :P That's our plan for him. England copied it. But we will field and execute better (I HOPE!!!! - SMITH IS SO GOOOD)

Smithy will simply change his shot plan until your leg gully gets tired and falls asleep. You reckon a bloke of Smith's ability is going to fall for this leg side trap a third time. If he does then he is not as smart as we all think.
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You must read all the posts Baggers, we did say there are those that fall into not given enough opportunities
Martin Kent 3 tests av 28 not great but only 3 tests to prove himself
Andy Bichel, proverbial 12th man, rarely given multiple matches straight played 19 tests over a 7 year period
Peter George 1 test...really judging on 1 test
Greg Ritchie 30 tests av 36 could have been better but I wouldn't classify as an Under-achiever
Shane Watson, Australia still yet to find a replacement of his calibre in the all-round aspect, how many other all-rounders have ever played for Australia with better stats av 36 with the bat and 33 with the ball, I can't think of many off the top of my head
Carl Rackemann 12 test 39 wickets @ 29 hardly underachieving (just think of recent bowling performances if you want to go down that road)
Kasper I've all ready posted as a major disappointment
Johnson 2 named ICC player of the year, the only bowler to ever do that in the world, yeah right.

I did point out Johnson for most of his career. He did have those two exceptional years. His others were mediocre. So he goes in my underachiever drawer.
I included Peter George on his FC record. 64- 207 @30.7 . 4 -5w, 1 -10w. Inconsistent. I also included Martin Kent on the same FC criteria. 
I am having a chuckle from your Watson comment. For someone that had as many chances as he had you'd  think he was averaging well above what he actually was. After his last decent season in 2010 his batting average dropped to a paltry @30 on average. His last decent year with the ball was in 2011. He shudda been booted after 2011. 
Greg Ritchie 30 tests av 36. Precisely why he is in my underachiever drawer.
Rackers career was stymied from the lack of play. Why so few Tests in so many years? On song yes I admit he was an achiever.

Edited
5 Years Ago by baggygreenmania
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baggygreenmania - 25 Sep 2019 10:07 AM
Paddles - 24 Sep 2019 5:23 PM

Smithy will simply change his shot plan until your leg gully gets tired and falls asleep. You reckon a bloke of Smith's ability is going to fall for this leg side trap a third time. If he does then he is not as smart as we all think.

Its such an instinctive shot. It is his release shot. His get off strike shot. KW has the same problem with his dab to third man - which is his release shot, esp in white ball, but sometimes in test too. He still plays it when there is a wide slip set and waiting. 

I mean its not like putting a hook away. Or a booming cover drive. This is the natural shot they look to play to every goodish length ball.
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MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM
Paddles - 23 Sep 2019 12:43 PM

Totally agree otherwise you'd have to put Callum Ferguson, Joe Mennie, Ashton Agar, Hastings, Quiney, Peter George, Clint McKay the list goes on.

But thought about it definitely Marsh Brothers, but in the true definition of underachiever, I'll say Mark Waugh, because IMO more talented than his brother with the bat, but so lazy, IMO should have finished his career with stats matching if not better than Steve. Khawaja may also fall into that particular category. Speaking of the Marsh brothers how about their father Geoff, or Graham Wood. Peter Nevill is another that just came to mind. Most disappointing for me was Michael Kasprowicz. So much talent at state level and bowled to some of the best batsmen Australia has ever produced, yet could never reproduce at test level.

After one trip to NZ a former Kiwi player anointed the Aus attack of McGrath, Gillespie and Kasper, as like having three Richard Hadlees!
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Decentric - 26 Sep 2019 11:41 PM
MikeR - 23 Sep 2019 1:31 PM

After one trip to NZ a former Kiwi player anointed the Aus attack of McGrath, Gillespie and Kasper, as like having three Richard Hadlees!

tbf, thats not a bad attack compared to Richard, Dayle and Barry Hadlee....
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Cricinfo writer has produced a fairly accurate list of the underrated test cricketers, globally.

https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/27770297/dean-elgar-bj-watling-ten-seriously-underrated-test-cricketers

I find it hard to disagree with most spots. But I do have some comments.

They are - in no particular order:

SA - Dean Elgar and Maharaj

NZ - Watling and Wagner

WI - Holder and Roach

Pak - Azar Ali and Shafiq

SL - Karunartne and  D Perera (the spinner, not the batsman or seam allrounder)

The first thing you will notice is an absense of Rich 3 cricketers. That is to be expected, because Rich 3 cricketers are already hyped up endlessly by the global media that make news to be consumed by their fans. Even for cricketers like Hardik Pandya, who really has never contributed significantly to a win (or defiant draw) in any big match I can think of.

Maharaj is going nicely, but his recent test in India is going to take some serious correction to shake to further lay any claim. Elgar, though, has been great in recent bowler freindly times and has reenhanced his credibility this past test.

Watling, not really known outside NZ fans, as most would say Pant (who is a terrible keeper and now dropped), Bairstow (dropped) and De Kock are the test cricket stars. But in NZ we know. Watling averages 40 as a keeper, but this overlooks one thing that Kiwi's now, he fails and gets out quickly every time the innings slog is due to start. Every time. Slogging is not his game. And with CdG batting behind him, with the highest SR in test cricket history, this is not an issue. But what is his game, is batting time and runs. He crucially and regularly makes  80+ and 100's that don't just save the games from losses, but actually turn them into wins - by giving the bowlers the runs required. Wagner, well he gets forgotten by his own selectors a lot. Always the first to be dropped, despite having the superior numbers between him Boult and Southee, despite not being given the new ball. His own selectors need to take some blame here.

Roach's problem is that he has been like Jimmy Anderson a bit. He averages 22 at home, this is Hadlee and McGrath contender material, but 37 away thanks mainly to being punished in Australia - Smith can ruin averages quite swiftly. Holder - well he has been superman at home, average over 40 with the bat and 22 with the ball. This is leave Stokes and Shakib in your wake material, but again, he has not performed well away until more recent times in India and UAE. He is a young man, with plenty more opportunities to do so. The counter will be that Anderson does the same, to which the reply is, yes, but he plays for a Rich 3. He will get noticed and talked up regardless. There is no doubt that these two are immensely talented cricketers, who regularly get overlooked globally, but Holder recent tours aside, they have not shone when given the chance too. 

Azar Ali and Shafiq - well Shafiq just isn't good enough to be rated. And Azar Ali is no YK or Misbah. With all the talk of Pujara, Kohli, Williamson and Smith, its pretty hard to crack into a rated conversation with their middle order numbers. They're doing well enough to keep Harris Sohail out of their own team but not all that much more. Azar Ali deserves to be in the conversations with Faf, Nicholls and Rahane, and not much more.

Karunaratne made the ICC team last year fairly. In an era with a dearth of opening batsman, he continues to shine. He doesn't get his recognition for recent form, given he has taken so long to get good and still averages mid 30s. But Perera, I don't think necessarily deserves to be rated just yet. He is middling at best. I think Bangladesh's Hasan and Islam are possibly being ignored more.

So the currently ridiculously underrated, through no fault of their own or their selectors, is Elgar and Watling. I can injust imagine being at a quiz show, and watching foreginers remember Smith, Parore, McCullum, and not have any idea who Watling is, despite him having beaten all their wicket keeping, and batting with gloves, total records. I think Tim Murtagh barely gets any recognition - despite being a high quality cricketer for Ireland. But given 1 test match a year, that will not change any time soon. 

I would add one name to this list. Colin de Grandhomme. He has become one of the versatile and successful test cricketers, and noone has noticed him. His own medis and commentators, talk him down. They doubt his value. His usefulness. But this doesn't match the facts. Want quick quick runs for a declaration? CdG has a batting average of 39 striking AT OVER 90! The highest ever in the history of cricket. A filthy slogger? Need a match against England saved, he will block most of the day. Fails with the bat? Let him take a match winning 7 for. Need an opening bowler? He averages under 24 opening the bowling. But he rarely gets the new ball. He averages over 60 as 4th bowler, at just 2 runs an over. 39 with the bat, 30.57 with the ball, and can do every possible role anyone could ask a player to do. Hit out, block, stock bowl, new ball bowl. His numbers make Ben Stokes - well less htna ordinary. But noone has really heard of him. And at 33, he won't be around much longer.
Edited
5 Years Ago by Paddles
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