Greatest left hand bat since Sobers - AB or BCL?

Paul Keating wrote:

HH_pink wrote:He's an Aussie? I thought he was from the Ingerlund.

I thought so too.

But when he was defending Ponting. He used the phrase "as long as we aren't touring India". And we all know Ponting's bad record in India.

I may have misuderstood what he is saying.

Buh? Come on Ponts, you're sharper than that!

He was talking of a hypothetical team of his, in which he had to choose one of the three BCL, SRT or RTP. He went for Ponting in his team. He's an English kid from Nott'num.

Er ... that's what I said.

It weren't 2 elaborate, you fookin Yank.

'Great' thread - but no mention by Henry of Yuvraj! (which was my reason for searching).

Yes Lara would the greatest LH batsman since Sobers, for mine. Yet IMHO he probably only played to around 80% of his own ability, leaving plenty 'in the tank', and he showed minimal leadership in terms of inspiring others in his team to perform. I think Hooper in particular was one who (on average) performed better without Lara in the side than in the side. These are intangibles. Did Lara intimidate where Border inspired? I don't know.

Anyway, I regard AB as the 'better' cricketer, for similar intangible reasons, and especially for his grumpy "never say die" attitude. He extracted 100% of his own ability, and inspired others who probably shouldn't have been anywhere near a national team to near adequacy. Even Fatcat and Wayne 'Bloody' Phillips pulled out a performance or two under Border's leadership.

Nice find.

Does Sanga come into this conversation now?

Indeed.

I found this whilst randomly rambling through Ewetube, as you do, and watched the lot, poor picture quality notwithstanding. There are many highlights and I commend it to all the veterans here ... I suppose this could equally go on the thread 'what's changed since you started watching' but I'm putting it here for that absolute legend, Gary Sobers, who you can see batting ferociously and (opening) the bowling here, although he runs himself out in the first innings.

It's the First Test WI v England in 1973, ie Sobers' Test comeback, Kanhai's first win as captain, how good was Keith Boyce!!, GG Arnold as tight as ever, Frank Hayes' one and only Test ton (on debut), Kallicharran belting a pair of 80's, lots of pitch invasions, early (and nasal!) Ritchie commentary, great slips catching, and umpires willing to give lbw promptly. Snow bowls tripe, possibly one of his last matches. Bernard Julien on debut. Lance Gibbs bowling with beautiful flight in the second innings. Boycott out strangled down the leg side for 97 in a moment to gladden any Australian fan's heart.

Neither Boyce nor Julien ever lived up to their obvious tremendous potential IMO.

A few months later England was in the West Indies, minus Boycott, with Greig running Kallicharran out after the close of play, Rowe (not seen here) making 302, and Amiss starting a golden run.