India vs Australia - The Number 3 debate

[Mr_Smooth]

http://www.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/479342.html

Very interesting article by the guys at CricInfo, regaring Dravid and Ponting, who they acknowledge being great players, but in the twilight of their careers, and their form is showing this.

Interestingly enough, towards the bottom of the article theres a table that shows where both have come in to bat in relation to the teams score

Ponting and Dravid at No. 3, by point-of-entry scores

Point of entry score
<=20 for 1
Batsman Innings Runs Average 100s/ 50s
Ricky Ponting 20 842 42.10 2/ 6
Rahul Dravid 22 811 38.62 2/ 3

>20 and <=75 for 1
Ricky Ponting 29 1286 44.34 3/ 6
Rahul Dravid 17 654 40.88 0/ 7

>75 for 1
Ricky Ponting 15 573 44.08 1/ 4
Rahul Dravid 15 733 52.36 4/ 1


makes interesting reading..

[TimeIsRunningOut]

You'll like this one then.

Ponting at No. 3 between 2000 and Dec 31, 2006

Less than 10: 1686 runs @ 67.44
Between 10-19: 556 runs @ 50.55
Between 20-49: 2637 runs @ 87.90
50 or more: 1802 runs @ 64.36

It makes the claims that a golden period in his career only existed because Australia had dominant openers look pretty damn laughable.

[Indian_Hotdog]

He made a lot of runs in sync with Hayden or Langer at one down.That was an advantage that few had.

[frankrizzo]

yeah must be tougher for dravid coming in on a flat pitch after sehwag has belted 100 of 75 balls.....

Added to that dravid has the pressure of only having tendulkar vvs and dhoni to follow if he gets out.

[copthat]

yeah must be tougher for dravid coming in on a flat pitch after sehwag has belted 100 of 75 balls.....

Added to that dravid has the pressure of only having tendulkar vvs and dhoni to follow if he gets out.
Yeah, but Ponting had Waugh, Waugh and Gilchrist most of the time.

Even recently. Hussey when he was in amazing form at the start of his career, Clarke, Gilchrist.