Loss of Form

[graphic23]

Again Salil , I have not watched cricket for as many years as yourself, nor am I as knowledgeable about the history of the game - but my views coincide with the experts here, who, in comparing Lara with SRT say that Lara has played his best game for a longer period. SRT's best game was a dream - but it wasn't a long dream. And there is nothing exceptional in his game for over 1/3rd of his career that half a dozen others have not been able to achieve. Do listen to Ravi Shastri's comment in the clip below. http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=490978601065903138#

I'd like to debate that point. I think if you notice the statistics for BCL, you can notice that he was very inconsistent (i.e. some years averaging 78+ and then averaging some 30+ average the next year). Again, if you're going to claim that Lara's played his natural game for a longer period, I'll agree with that.

[Mr. Wicket]

I'm with graphic here. Lara: Higher peaks (much higher at times) than Tendulkar, with absolute epics like the 277, 375 and the 153* (I'd place the 400 as a lesser innings than either), but a lot more troughs and many very inconsistent periods. Tendulkar: Not as dazzling or immense as Lara in his scoring/method at times, but wasn't anywhere near as hit or miss as BCL could be.

[graphic23]

And just to comment further on the slow S/R of SRT, and that he doesn't dominate bowlers as much as Lara did (which is what Ravi attested to), this article was written back in 2003: http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/128600.html, and Barry Richards says that Sachin's consistency makes him a better contender than Lara (whom he refers to as "up and down"). Also a guy who was taken as the opening batsman in Bradman's XI ahead of SMG (who also chose Sachin for #4 ahead of Lara).

[patriot]

^ That is an article from 2003, and thats what I pointed out in my earliest post on this thread - he changed his game in the 2002/03 season and then on din't get nearly as much success. Bradman, died in 2001 but made that famous remark in 98/99 when Sachin was at the absolute peak of his powers, and therefore was not witness to lesser phase of his career that started after his demise and stretches for well over 50 tests. Once , just once before he retires, I'd like to see Sachin score a dominating 70+ strike rate century against a quality pace attack outside Asia.

[Mr. Wicket]

Once ' date=' just once before he retires, I'd like to see Sachin score a dominating 70+ strike rate century against a quality pace attack outside Asia.[/quote'] I can always bring my DVD with highlights of his 114 at Perth (s/r 70.80) - Hughes, McDermott, Whitney and Reiffel was a fine attack - down to NY sometime... BTW, what about this? http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63951.html

[graphic23]

Yes, I had mentioned the date because in an earlier of yours, you had mentioned that "experts" have argued that Lara played his best game for a longer time than Sachin did (which is an ambiguous statement). And I've shown you that Tendulkar at his peak was chosen by other "experts" because they thought that he was better. And as far as the pace attack with a S/R of 70 goes, http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63951.html (~ 85% S/R) http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63737.html (~ 66.73) http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63565.html (~ 69) and much more recently, http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/291354.html (~ 75) http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63567.html (epic btw)

[Gambit]

Once ' date=' just once before he retires, I'd like to see Sachin score a dominating 70+ strike rate century against a quality pace attack outside Asia.[/quote'] He did it only last year at Adelaide against Lee, Johnson and Clarke making 153 at 74 SR. And of course, there was that classic ton in strife at Bloemfontein against Pollock, Ntini, Klusener and Hayward played at 84.

[Mr. Wicket]

http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63567.html (epic btw)

O rly? Did you ever see that knock? :hmmm: :aetsch:

[donkey]

And just to comment further on the slow S/R of SRT' date=' and that he doesn't dominate bowlers as much as Lara did (which is what Ravi attested to), this article was written back in 2003: [url']http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/content/story/128600.html, and Barry Richards says that Sachin's consistency makes him a better contender than Lara (whom he refers to as "up and down"). Also a guy who was taken as the opening batsman in Bradman's XI ahead of SMG (who also chose Sachin for #4 ahead of Lara).

Ravi is following a straight jacket approach to assess Sachin's dominance. How could you pick the more dominant of the two players without analyzing their performance in ODIs; the more dominant format. Test cricket is more of a survival mode, where a solid defensive shot is admired as much as straight six over the bowler's head. S/R factor in test games is rather insignificant, where batsmen are given maximum amount of overs to chase down some 300+ target. Failure to do so could also ruin bowling team's chances at success. Worst case scenario if the batting team doesn't score at a good pace they could still settle for a draw. ODIs however, its mandatory for the batsmen to outscore their opposition. Every dot ball means one less scoring opportunity for the team and you cant just earn a draw for keeping wicket. IMO Sachin has been more dominant of the two when he was required to; like in ODIs. I didnt watch the video, so I hope Ravi didnt touch on Sachin's ODI record. Otherwise my post....:nervous:

[graphic23]

O rly? Did you ever see that knock? :hmmm: :aetsch:

I kid you not, but there were highlights on youtube a couple of years ago. I remember watching that match AND the Sydney 148* match highlights. I dont remember too much because at the time, I was just viewing videos for the hell of it. :P The reason I ask you is cause you've got a DVD ! :hitler:

[Sachinism]

I kid you not' date=' but there were highlights on youtube a couple of years ago. I remember watching that match AND the Sydney 148* match highlights. I dont remember too much because at the time, I was just viewing videos for the hell of it. :P The reason I ask you is [b']cause you've got a DVD ! :hitler:

Salil got DVD?? Hey Salil did I tell you how awesome you are. Gillespie at Leeds, SRT at Cape Town in 96 coming your way very soon

[patriot]

I can always bring my DVD with highlights of his 114 at Perth (s/r 70.80) - Hughes, McDermott, Whitney and Reiffel was a fine attack - down to NY sometime... BTW, what about this? http://www.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63951.html

That knock at Bloemfontein was pure class - thats where he started hitting hard over the slips, something that Sehwag too has employed with a lot of success. I think in such a long career 160+ test career, with almost 90 overseas tests, there could have been more such knocks, from someone who has such a reputation. Its freaking awesome for a 20 yr old to score 2 tons in his first tour to Australia. But his last 8-10 years ( which is a long time ), I think, have been nothing like his first 10. The decade of 2000 has seen a dozen or so batters avg well over 50+ , for someone who dominated in the 90's and that too when the attacks were better and pitches not as easy - his performance this decade has seen a huge drop per the very high standards he set in the 90's.

[Sachinism]

That knock at Bloemfontein was pure class - thats where he started hitting hard over the slips, something that Sehwag too has employed with a lot of success. I think in such a long career 160+ test career, with almost 90 overseas tests, there could have been more such knocks, from someone who has such a reputation. Its freaking awesome for a 20 yr old to score 2 tons in his first tour to Australia. But his last 8-10 years ( which is a long time ), I think, have been nothing like his first 10. The decade of 2000 has seen a dozen or so batters avg well over 50+ , for someone who dominated in the 90's and that too when the attacks were better and pitches not as easy - his performance this decade has seen a huge drop per the very high standards he set in the 90's.

Don't worry he's back on his way to top form. Have you seen him bat lately