Ravi Ashwin is better than Watson/Flintoff/Stokes/Botham if not Jesus

Admirable cricketer.

I'm really surprised by Ravi Ashwin.

First impressions, he's a gangly average long on fielder who's probably one the least naturally athletic members of this current India XI.

His bowling isn't that aesthetically pleasing either, and some may argue his timing of temperament with the bat i.e. making big scores when the pressure is off.

However, after watching him in different tests against different teams (mostly in India) he's impressive. If there's one guy you'd like bat out the game - aside from Jadeja - it's this bloke.

Probably a bit ahead of Stokes in this argument. Flintoff and Beefy ahead again.

PS. Completely forgot Watson was involved in this discussion. Doesn't even touch the sides m8.

What's not to like about Ashwin, an old-fashioned bowler who relies on guile and patience rather than magic wicket-taking deliveries.

Agree with Basil.

Ashtray has been a useful player on Bannie tours here. Never gives up with bat or ball.

And of course he is a great in Banindia.

DJ_Smerk wrote:I'm really surprised by Ravi Ashwin.

First impressions, he's a gangly average long on fielder who's probably one the least naturally athletic members of this current India XI.

His bowling isn't that aesthetically pleasing either, and some may argue his timing of temperament with the bat i.e. making big scores when the pressure is off.

However, after watching him in different tests against different teams (mostly in India) he's impressive. If there's one guy you'd like bat out the game - aside from Jadeja - it's this bloke.

Probably a bit ahead of Stokes in this argument. Flintoff and Beefy ahead again.

PS. Completely forgot Watson was involved in this discussion. Doesn't even touch the sides m8.

Hierarchy is implicit in the thread title.

lardbucket wrote:

DJ_Smerk wrote:I'm really surprised by Ravi Ashwin.

First impressions, he's a gangly average long on fielder who's probably one the least naturally athletic members of this current India XI.

His bowling isn't that aesthetically pleasing either, and some may argue his timing of temperament with the bat i.e. making big scores when the pressure is off.

However, after watching him in different tests against different teams (mostly in India) he's impressive. If there's one guy you'd like bat out the game - aside from Jadeja - it's this bloke.

Probably a bit ahead of Stokes in this argument. Flintoff and Beefy ahead again.

PS. Completely forgot Watson was involved in this discussion. Doesn't even touch the sides m8.

Hierarchy is implicit in the thread title.

As Pup said to Watson

Watson is an all time great all round nob.

horace wrote:Watson is an all time great all round nob.

Well said Horrie.

Jayant Patel> Ashwin>Ganesha>Flintoff>Jesus

And he got Root lbw!!!

tricycle wrote:ANY Patel> Ashwin>Ganesha>Flintoff>Jesus

Fixed, including Cheatin Jeetan.

bumped for furri

Jayant became a lump of turd since that post.

Gawd knows how turds we're playing these days anyway.

e-coli?

Of course, but a useful one.

update

Holder the most useful to emerge since this thread was started

Honourable mention for Chris Woakes after his heroics in the first test against Pakistan, but he needs to perform overseas to be the real deal.

lardbucket wrote:Holder the most useful to emerge since this thread was started

and Jadeja I guess

lardbucket wrote:In Tests, he is averaging > 30 with the bat (with a couple of centuries) and < 30 with the ball, after a fair sample size now.

These are tough criteria, not commonly sustained in Test cricket over long periods.

Thoughts? Where does he sit in the pantheon of all-rounders?

Five centuries now (averaging not quite 30), and closing in on 400 wickets (averaging well below 30).

Now scoring a Michelle and a 5-for in the same Test.

He's up there.

I think you mean a ton and a michelle in the same Test.

I'll be surprised if he doesn't join the Beefy/Imran/Shakib Club of a ton and a 10-fer in the same Test.

yes, was a bit scrambled there