From: rsp@ukc.ac.uk (R.S.Pickett)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.cricket
Subject: Re: Standard of International Cricket ????
Date: 23 Jan 93 11:16:20 GMT
Reply-To: rsp@ukc.ac.uk (R.S.Pickett)
Organization: Computing Lab, University of Kent at Canterbury, UK.

In article <1jnlgjINN51n@sunaus.Aus.Sun.COM> peterm@pinhigh.Aus.Sun.COM writes:
>I have read many articles in this group, praising one person and ridiculing another. I guess
>that is a bi product of sport, that we armchair critic's, sit in judgement of the professionals
>critiquing their performances.
>
>Also, I have read many debates about one era, being better than another era, etc.etc.
>
>Thus I would like to make my point. Whilst I totally agree that it is difficult and really pointless
>to try to measure, say the Bradman era, with the Border era, I do think we can take a line through
>more recent eras, i.e. In Australia, the Ian Chappell era versus the current era.
>
>I for one do not think there has been any marked improvements technologically, during this
>period of 1970 to the present, apart from a more disciplined approach to a higher level of 
>physical fitness. But to my mind mind the tools of trade, and skillsets for the game have basically remained static over the years.
>
>However, I do think that there has been a marked DECREASE in the ENTERTAINMENT provided
>in the TEST cricket arena during this period. Furthermore, I do think we have our selves on, both here in Australia, and in most other parts of the cricketing world, about the percieved standard of cricket in all countries.
>
>
>Sure in differing countries, you each have 1 maybe 2 or if you a really lucky 3 star players, of
>true "top of the list" quality players, but really the rest are really only just cricketers these days.
>
>My assessment is as follows ; (please note I am only referring to current players)
>I have broken them into 3 categories, 
>1. recognised world class  
>2."had world class once, but are now past it, or lost it.!!.
>3. show potential, but not there yet.
>
>The rest if they are not mentioned, don't have, nor do I think they will ever become World class
>players, the best I can say for most of them is they are good toilers and battlers.
>
>Australia
>
>1.  Border, Reid (when fit)
>2.  Nobody
>3. Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn
>
>England
>
>1.  Nobody
>2.  Gooch
>3.  Hick, Robin Smith

You have got to be kidding! Gooch has been the leading batsman in the
world over the last few years and has been in the best form of his life.
If you say he is not world class now then you will have to say that he
never was. As for Robin Smith he is one of very few current players
averaging over 50 and has already reached world class IMHO.

>
>India
>
>1. Azharuddin
>2. Kapil Dev
>3. Tendulkar
>
>New Zealand
>
>1. Crowe
>2. Nobody
>3. Greatbatch
>
>Pakistan
>
>1. Akram
>2. Mianded
>3. Imzamam Ul Haq, Waqar, 
>
>Sth Africa
>
>1. Nobody
>2. Wessels
>3. Donald, Rhodes, Snell

I don't agree that Wessels is past it.

>
>Sri Lanka
>
>1. Nobody
>2. Aravinda da Silva
>3. Mahanama
>
>West Indies
>
>1. Richie Richardson, Ambrose
>2. Haynes, Logie
>3. Lara, Simmons, Bishop, Arthurton
>
>General Comment on these selections.
>==============================
>
>IMHO, from the above ratings, I have only found 8 players who I believe are current world class.
>There are 7 players that I believe are losing it, or have lost it, including Javed & Kapil. I'm sure that
>will start a lot of discussion, but I do believe this to be true. In fact I was tempted to include 
>Border in the same category (#2), however, his recent Test Century, his pending achievement to be the Greatest Test Run Getter of ALL TIME, and the fact that he is by far the BEST Captain(tactically)
>in the world today, led me to leave him in the world class category.
>
>The 2 main points that I think is quite evident, is the total lack of a world Class WK in the style
>of a Rod Marsh, Alan Knott or Farook Engineer of the past. !!!!! Also, there are not many Fast Bowlers of any class emerging.!!!
>
>Also, this era really highlights the paucity of the standard of English cricket. !!!!!
>
>It's a pretty bad state of affairs, when  Phil De Freitas commands first use of the new ball, and 
>Alec Stewart WK and opens the batting( theres still room for nepotism in the 90's), and they clean 
>all the moths off Mike Gatting, and roll him out into the centre of the pitch like a Trojan horse.
>It looks like the Ashes are going to be even easier to defend on English soil this year, than they were, to win back 3 years ago. AND thats saying something, considering the pop gun bowling
>attack we have here down under, and the jaundiced view that the Australian selectors have that
>Steve Waugh will magically turn into a Dougie Walters SOON, I mean you would think 47 Tests would be enough to be able to run into some consistent form, wouldn't you. ??? Still they will probably pick him again, remembering what he did to Mother England last tour. I just hope that
>if they do, that the English bowlers can show Waugh up for the NON TALENT that he is.
>
>
>I am an avid fan of TEST cricket, BUT, I want to be entertained.!!!!!
>
>I do not have the figures to highlight my case, but I would bet that the # of runs scored in a
>day during the tests of the 70's(Chappelli) would far outweigh the paltry number we get these days, and have done for many years.
>
>Who can remember the last person to score 100 runs(on their own) in a session. My last
>recollection of  such a feat, was Dougie Walters, in a Test in Perth in the mid 70's, doing so with
>a "6" of the last ball of the days play.!!! Now that is what I call entertainment.
>
>You people cannot tell me that you feel fully entertained when you watch a Test these days.????
>
>Any comments..............
>
>Regards  Peter.

You obviously have some dislike for the "poms". I can guarantee that the
Ashes will not be as easy to win next year. I would perhaps make Australia
slight favorites but England are a far better side than they were 3 years
ago and have IMHO one of the best batting line ups in the world, particularly
with the reinstatment of Gatting who is as good now as he ever was. Yes,
we do have a weakness in the bowling department but over the past couple of
years Defreitas has become a very successful bowler and we have two very
promising spinners in Tufnell and Salisbury. I feel that without a bowler
like Alderman who was so superb at exploiting English conditions the Ausies
will struggle to achieve the results they are used to at home.

However, I do agree that there is a lack of great wicket-keepers and fast
bowlers emerging. I wonder if any other countries will follow Englands
policy of playing a batsman as WK. If they do then the standard may fall
yet further. Certainly I can only think of 4 bowlers who I would possibly
classify as world class.



Rob.