Test players' performances - an analytical review

Batsmen

In this entire article this is the only time I never use centuries for analysis. I consider a century as a personal landmark. To the team, it does nothing other than the runs scored in reaching the specific landmark. I can think of 100 sub-100 Test innings, which have been far more important to the team than 100 200+ innings. I am sure everyone will remember that on at least 4/5 occasions, the Indian team has lost out because of the batsman's pre-occupation with the number 100.

First let us put down on paper the two traditional analytical tables.

1. Top Batsmen - By Average (Criteria 50.00)
Batsman	Mat	Inns	No	Runs	Avge
Bradman D.G	52	80	10	6996	99.94
Pollock R.G	23	41	4	2256	60.97
Headley G.A	22	40	4	2190	60.83
Sutcliffe H	54	84	9	4555	60.73
Barrington K.F	82	131	15	6806	58.67
EdeC Weekes	48	81	5	4455	58.62
Hammond W.R	85	140	16	7249	58.46
Hobbs J.B	61	102	7	5410	56.95
Walcott C.L	44	74	7	3798	56.69
Hutton L	79	138	15	6971	56.67
Tendulkar S.R	76	121	12	6036	55.38**
Chappell G.S	87	151	19	7110	53.86
Nourse A.D	34	62	7	2960	53.82
Javed Miandad	124	189	21	8832	52.57
Gavaskar S.M	125	214	16	10122	51.12
Lara B.C	68	117	4	5759	50.96**
Border A.R	156	265	44	11174	50.56
Waugh S.R	128	204	38	8373	50.44
Richards I.V.A	121	182	12	8540	50.24
Compton D.C.S	78	131	15	5807	50.06

Most people will know these figures by heart. Suffice to state that Bradman is ahead of the next player by a whopping 65% considering the batting average. I am going to make a statement now. I will be very surprised if I am proved wrong with facts. In any sport anywhere in the world, there does not exist such a wide gap between the first and second placed players, Pele ??? . Taking only this year, Tiger Woods is almost as far ahead as the next placed golfer, but in the whole career !!! One can only sit in awe and admiration at the achievements of the greatest Cricketer ever.

2. Top Batsmen - By Aggregate (Criteria 6500 runs)
Batsman	Mat	Inns	No	Runs
Border A.R	156	265	44	11174
Gavaskar S.M	125	214	16	10122
Gooch G.A	118	215	6	8900
Javed Miandad	124	189	21	8832
Richards I.V.A	121	182	12	8540
Waugh S.R	128	204	38	8373**
Gower D.I	117	204	18	8231
Boycott G	108	193	23	8114
Sobers G.St.A	93	160	21	8032
Cowdrey M.C	114	188	15	7624
Greenidge C.G	108	185	16	7558
Taylor M.A	104	186	13	7525
Lloyd C.H	110	175	14	7515
Haynes D.L	116	202	25	7487
Boon D.C	107	190	20	7422
Hammond W.R	85	140	16	7249
Chappell G.S	87	151	19	7110
Bradman D.G	52	80	10	6996
Hutton L	79	138	15	6971
Vengsarkar D.B	116	185	22	6868
Stewart A.J	100	180	13	6840
Barrington K.F	82	131	15	6806
Atherton M.A	100	184	6	6742
Waugh M.E	103	171	13	6593**

This is the record of longevity, concentration, fitness and stamina, backed by outstanding technical skills. These records, or more properly landmarks, will continue to be overtaken, as proved by Walsh. It will not be easy. However, there is a reasonable chance that Tendulkar will overtake Gavaskar and eventually Border.

Part 2 - News ways to evaluate players
Ananth Narayanan

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