Undervalued Cricketers

[PhatBoy]

I've been reading about Ken Barrington who played for England between 1955 and 1968. His stats are amazing but rarely ever hear his name mentioned. He died at only 50 years of age in 1981 but even in English cricket he doesn't get talked about that much.

82 Test Matches
6806 runs
58.67 batting average
20 centuries
35 half centuries

His average abroad was touching 70. From the sounds of it he was a sort of Kallis-esque batsman. A run scoring machine whose stats are phenomenal but not at any point considered the best batsman of his day because he wasn't very inspiring to watch. And that he had a very defensive style by choice rather than lacking the ability to be a more flamboyant batsman because there were instances when all of a sudden he did start scoring quickly and attacking bowlers. I remember watching Kallis in the IPL smacking bowlers around and being surprised because I didn't think he had that in him. Not slogging but just good clean hitting around the ground. Clearly he did have more gears to his game but chose to play safe most of the time.

It was precisely because Kallis played the way he did that allowed Smith, DeVilliers, Amla, Gibbs etc to play the way they did at their peaks. Kallis’ attacking shots were as good as anyones and he’s near the top of the list for test sixes unless I’m mistaken. He could do it he just chose a more sedate approach and there have been some good articles written along the lines of him being a very misunderstood cricketer particularly as a batsman

 

[Bareth Garry]

It was precisely because Kallis played the way he did that allowed Smith, DeVilliers, Amla, Gibbs etc to play the way they did at their peaks. Kallis’ attacking shots were as good as anyones and he’s near the top of the list for test sixes unless I’m mistaken. He could do it he just chose a more sedate approach and there have been some good articles written along the lines of him being a very misunderstood cricketer particularly as a batsman

That's true. Perception is a big thing though and I guess the perception of Kallis is he was a lesser quality player because of the way he played. Ken Barrington's stats should put him in the conversation among the greatest batsmen of all time but I don't even hear English commentators talk about him. Statistically nothing separates Kallis from Sobers but I'm sure if a poll was made over who is the greatest all rounder it would be unanimous for Sobers just because everyone loves flair and flamboyancy.

 

[Falconista]

Just found Doug Walters Test stats on Howstat: 5357 runs @48.26 and 49 wickets @29.08 in 74 matches. Phenomenal stats in any era. Yet, all you really hear about him now is his off field character [smokes, cards and booze] or his 100 in a session.

I wasn't around in his time, is there a reason I don't know about as to why he's overlooked now?

 

[cricketnut14]

Just found Doug Walters Test stats on Howstat: 5357 runs @48.26 and 49 wickets @29.08 in 74 matches. Phenomenal stats in any era. Yet, all you really hear about him now is his off field character [smokes, cards and booze] or his 100 in a session.

I wasn't around in his time, is there a reason I don't know about as to why he's overlooked now?

yeah his test stats were better than his first class stats of 44/36.

he did only bowl 7-8 overs per game though at less than a wicket per match.

not sure if big merv has had a shout out, but in the same category with his personality etc - the bloke could seriously bowl.

 

[corbies]

Just found Doug Walters Test stats on Howstat: 5357 runs @48.26 and 49 wickets @29.08 in 74 matches. Phenomenal stats in any era. Yet, all you really hear about him now is his off field character [smokes, cards and booze] or his 100 in a session.

I wasn't around in his time, is there a reason I don't know about as to why he's overlooked now?

He really struggled in England which is probably the main reason. Played 18 tests over there for an average of 25 with 0 centuries.

 

[DaRick]

He really struggled in England which is probably the main reason. Played 18 tests over there for an average of 25 with 0 centuries.

Dennis Lillee said that he was too impatient against the ENG bowlers, who could keep it tight while exploiting seam/swing movement. That required a more cautious initial approach before picking up the scoring, but that wasn't something that came naturally to Walters.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Fun fact that may be known,

Kasper did NOT actually glove the ball. Had there been a review system back in those days (and assuming the reviews hadn't been blown), he would have been able to stay in and potentially win that test.

Additionally, Warne's famous 99 against NZ was an uncalled no ball by Vettori I think it was. Warney actually touched his bat down at the other end and he should have a test century to his name.

He did glove the ball but it was on the hand that was off the bat which means technically it's not out according to the rules. Had we reviewed It if they were in place it would have been not out. The umpire should have sent it upstairs anyway for such a tight call in a tight game.

 

[The Passenger]

He did glove the ball but it was on the hand that was off the bat which means technically it's not out according to the rules. Had we reviewed It if they were in place it would have been not out. The umpire should have sent it upstairs anyway for such a tight call in a tight game.

I think at the time could umpires only send catches upstairs to check if they carried ?

It was the wrong decision but I don't think anyone could crucify the umpire too much. Short ball with hands, bat and head going everywhere within a confined space. It clearly hit the glove so it would have taken some incredible vision to pick the glove off the bat.

Within this sort of realm the real shocker was Adelaide in 92/93 with Craig McDermott.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Exactly. plus he did start out in an era when West Indies were still a bit of a power. The guy played some shots off Malcolm Marshall I never seen anyone able to do. Serious talent and his fielding in rare field of brilliance. So undervalued but I valued him greatly. Would have lost a few important series if not for him. That I value about players.

Junior had more talent than his brother, the best player off his pads Through the leg side Ive ever seen and that's including the sub continent players. Textbook balance and execution was like poetry. He didn't have the grit and resilience of Steve however which is why he would lose patience and get out for 120 odd nearly everytime he got a hundred. Should have averaged alot more than 41 for someone who scored 20 test hundreds.

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

There is batting to the circumstances. You the last specialist bat, McGrath is in next, which you not want to get to. McDermott half decent tailender but you should still be taking as much as strike as possible and take responsibility in circumstances to get bulk of runs yourself. Instead he left it to McDemott to do that as he showed no balls himself in circumstances to take on role he should of. Massive choke like never seen in that period.
Just spare me the nonsense he should be easily forgiven for such a pathetic showing.
I still get angry thinking of how he left it to McDermott and then to do what he did just ******* unforgiveable.

He probably played the shot because he was gaining confidence in McDermott to hang with him and the finish line wasn't far off. Fell guilty of trying to get the runs quickly and didn't execute a shot he normally would 9 times out of 10. It happens.

 

[footyfan1978]

Junior had more talent than his brother, the best player off his pads Through the leg side Ive ever seen and that's including the sub continent players. Textbook balance and execution was like poetry

Just a freak talent allround. This is crazy talent.

 

[The Passenger]

Junior had more talent than his brother, the best player off his pads Through the leg side Ive ever seen and that's including the sub continent players.

Michael Maclennan - Benaud medal winner

In this Q&A Eastern Suburbs feature their 2003-04 premiership and Benaud medal winner Michael Maclennan. Michael was also selected as one of the top 50 contenders for Waverley Easts team of 125 years

stumptostump.com

Cracking sledge from Mark Waugh when playing Sydney grade cricket against Justin Dery (a fine bowler in his own right who was probably unlucky not to get a crack at shield cricket).

What is the funniest cricket banter you’ve heard on the cricket field?

Our fiery left arm quick (medium pacer) Justin Dery bowling to Mark Waugh and he kept swinging the ball into his pads which of course kept getting dispatched to the boundary. JD would get even more fiery and Mark turned to Patto at slip and said “doesn’t this kid watch TV?”

 

[AlwaysHawks15]

Michael Maclennan - Benaud medal winner

In this Q&A Eastern Suburbs feature their 2003-04 premiership and Benaud medal winner Michael Maclennan. Michael was also selected as one of the top 50 contenders for Waverley Easts team of 125 years

stumptostump.com

Cracking sledge from Mark Waugh when playing Sydney grade cricket against Justin Dery (a fine bowler in his own right who was probably unlucky not to get a crack at shield cricket).

What is the funniest cricket banter you’ve heard on the cricket field?

Our fiery left arm quick (medium pacer) Justin Dery bowling to Mark Waugh and he kept swinging the ball into his pads which of course kept getting dispatched to the boundary. JD would get even more fiery and Mark turned to Patto at slip and said “doesn’t this kid watch TV?”

You bowled there your picking the ball up from the boundary every time. If he was out of form would still hit a few through the leg side in his sleep.

 

[PhatBoy]

You bowled there your picking the ball up from the boundary every time. If he was out of form would still hit a few through the leg side in his sleep.

The problem for bowlers was that his weakness was so close to his strength. Not that he’s a Lone Ranger in this regard but he probably got out more when the ball was on off stump than most good batsmen - it wasn’t 5th-6th stump lines that would get him out nicking so much as it was balls very close to the pegs so bowlers probably thought they were in the game against him but if it was even a fraction TOO straight they’d just get caned

 

[footyfan1978]

Within this sort of realm the real shocker was Adelaide in 92/93 with Craig McDermott.

Indeed. This one I will NEVER get over.

 

[big_e]

Nice video here from Jarrod Kimber on New Zealand openers, which starts with Mark Richardson

Mark Richardson

Age

51

Ht

196cm

Wt

103kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

10.6

3star

K

6.6

3star

HB

4.0

3star

M

3.6

4star

T

0.8

3star

No current season stats available

D

11.6

3star

K

8.2

4star

HB

3.4

3star

M

4.8

5star

T

0.8

3star

, who somehow managed to average 44 as an opener.

 

[PhatBoy]

Nice video here from Jarrod Kimber on New Zealand openers, which starts with Mark Richardson, who somehow managed to average 44 as an opener.

M
Yeah because of the fact that he’s a pain in the arse as a commentator he’s not taken very seriously but he did a great job for them after a fair while chopping and changing every second test

 

[western royboy]

Michael Maclennan - Benaud medal winner

In this Q&A Eastern Suburbs feature their 2003-04 premiership and Benaud medal winner Michael Maclennan. Michael was also selected as one of the top 50 contenders for Waverley Easts team of 125 years

stumptostump.com

Cracking sledge from Mark Waugh when playing Sydney grade cricket against Justin Dery (a fine bowler in his own right who was probably unlucky not to get a crack at shield cricket).

What is the funniest cricket banter you’ve heard on the cricket field?

Our fiery left arm quick (medium pacer) Justin Dery bowling to Mark Waugh and he kept swinging the ball into his pads which of course kept getting dispatched to the boundary. JD would get even more fiery and Mark turned to Patto at slip and said “doesn’t this kid watch TV?”

Problem one of the few times Junior was on the right end of the sledge. He got owned on more than one occasion.

 

[Around the Wicket]

Peter Siddle - Not the greatest fast bowler to ever represent Australia but never let anyone down at test level and if anything, over-achieved based on his talent but one thing you could never doubt was that when the going got tough, he'd give 110%, even if his 110% was not as good as many others of his generation. That willingness to fight no matter the situation is something I'd love to see some others in this current test side learn. He is a good example of you don't have to be the best to at least give yourself a chance of pulling something from nothing.

He was Aussies best bowler for 3 years.

 

[western royboy]

He was Aussies best bowler for 3 years.

Was crucial to the attack because he played as the holding bowler keeping it tight, was crucial for Starc.

 

[Gethelred]

Was crucial to the attack because he played as the holding bowler keeping it tight, was crucial for Starc.

Had a bit of mongrel in him, when the other quicks had nothing left Siddle'd find something still in the tank and bowl himself into the pitch.