Which 2 teams were the closest rivals for Test supremacy in a single era?

[BronCrow]

Would have been closer, but I think West Indies would still be no.1 in the rankings.

For comparison, look the the ICC Test rankings from 1997.

International Cricket Council - Match Zone - Test Ranking

The International Cricket Council official website provides information on all major ICC cricket events, the Reliance ICC Rankings and live cricket scores from all levels of the game.

web.archive.org

OZ were no.1 and SA were a close no.2 but ofcourse Australia still beat South Africa both home and away that year.

From memory it just seemed that the Windies were closer to us and South Africa than what those rankings suggest.

 

[Heisenberg111]

From memory it just seemed that the Windies were closer to us and South Africa than what those rankings suggest.

In 1997, SA were closer to OZ than WI.

 

[BronCrow]

In 1997, SA were closer to OZ than WI.

No disputing that.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

 

[Heisenberg111]

No disputing that.


On iPhone using BigFooty.com mobile app

In 1994, WI were the clear no.1 but Pak,OZ and SA were all pretty close.

 

[jle101]

West Indies only peaked in the early 80's, but OZ were no.1 from 1971-76. So OZ/SA from 1971-76 was likely the great Test series we missed out on. WI was just too strong in the 80's and SA might have declined by then.

I think the Windies had developed into a force by the time 1976 rolled around. It was following that thrashing in Australia the previous summer when the team began to come into its own & develop its much vaunted all-out pace attack. By the time we got to 1976 Viv & Holding had formed into some of the best players on the planet.

Fredericks
Greenidge
Richards
Kallicharran
Lloyd
King
Murray+
Holding
Roberts
Gibbs
Daniel

This side, along with Julien & Holder in support, aint too far off being the best in the world. Plus of course they smashed a quality England team in England that year.

 

[jle101]

Is there any love for the South African sides of the early 90's?

There definitely should be. From readmission until 1996 the side hadn't lost a single Test series.

 

[Heisenberg111]

I think the Windies had developed into a force by the time 1976 rolled around. It was following that thrashing in Australia the previous summer when the team began to come into its own & develop its much vaunted all-out pace attack. By the time we got to 1976 Viv & Holding had formed into some of the best players on the planet.

Fredericks
Greenidge
Richards
Kallicharran
Lloyd
King
Murray+
Holding
Roberts
Gibbs
Daniel

This side, along with Julien & Holder in support, aint too far off being the best in the world. Plus of course they smashed a quality England team in England that year.

Still, that team lost in NZ in 1980, and NZ prior to beating WI in 1980 hadn't won a series at home ever in their history. It was only after losing in NZ did Lloyd's team peaked and ofcourse after that WI didn't lose a Test series for 15 years till Australia defeated them in 1995.

But maybe SA in the 80's could have challenged WI, seeing as how Pakistan challenged WI in their prime.

 

[jle101]

Still, that team lost in NZ in 1980, and NZ prior to beating WI in 1980 hadn't won a series at home ever in their history. It was only after losing in NZ did Lloyd's team peaked and ofcourse after that WI didn't lose a Test series for 15 years till Australia defeated them in 1995.

But maybe SA in the 80's could have challenged WI, seeing as how Pakistan challenged WI in their prime.

Whilst it is true that WI lost the series in NZ, they only lost it 1-0 (3 match series) & the match they did lose was by only one wicket. From what I have read, a number of poor umpiring decisions were to blame for the Windies losing that match & playing well under their potential for the remainder of the series which by all means was played in poor spirits following that shock loss in the First Test.

It can't be forgotten that the Windies were also undefeated from 1976 until 1979. Had they snuck home against NZ, their undefeated streak would have stretched from 1976 - 1995!

The Saffers still would have been quite the force heading into the 80s with players such as Wessels, Cook, Fotheringham, Kirsten, Kourie, Hanley, Jefferies, van Zyl & possibly even Allan Lamb coming into the fold. Though Barlow, Bacher & Pollock would have probably retired by then.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Whilst it is true that WI lost the series in NZ, they only lost it 1-0 (3 match series) & the match they did lose was by only one wicket. From what I have read, a number of poor umpiring decisions were to blame for the Windies losing that match & playing well under their potential for the remainder of the series which by all means was played in poor spirits following that shock loss in the First Test.

It can't be forgotten that the Windies were also undefeated from 1976 until 1979. Had they snuck home against NZ, their undefeated streak would have stretched from 1976 - 1995!

The Saffers still would have been quite the force heading into the 80s with players such as Wessels, Cook, Fotheringham, Kirsten, Kourie, Hanley, Jefferies, van Zyl & possibly even Allan Lamb coming into the fold. Though Barlow, Bacher & Pollock would have probably retired by then.

No, WI lost in India in 1978 too, but that WI team was depleted due to their main players playing for Kerry Packer's World series cricket.

Regarding SA, I think they would have fought with Pakistan for the 2nd spot in the 80's. WI were just too good in the 80's, but SA could have pushed WI without beating them, just as Pakistan did by holding WI to 3 drawn series from 1986-1990/91.