Bradman or Sobers

[zen]

Who would be your first pick in tests? - On one hand, you have the best batsman w/ an avg of 100 and unmatchable 29 100s in just 52 tests - On the other hand, the best all-rounder w/ 8000 test runs and 200 odd wkts in 93 tests Use the poll too. PS

Guys you have to realize that Sobers is considered as 2nd best batsman after Bradman too so this is not merely the best all-rounder vs best batsman battle. Sobers has hit triple 100, 6 sixes in an over, etc. For your pick, you have to see GS as the best batsman after Don. Therefore the equation is: Bradman (the best batsman of AT) in a test = 200 runs in tests (based on two innings) Sobers (2nd best batsman of AT + useful bowler) in a test = 116 runs + 3 wkts (based on two innings) Theoretically, the difference is 85more runs in the test vs 3 wkts in the test .... For me, this is what makes this selection interesting

[Asoka]

I voted for Bradman. While you have Imran Khan and Kallis who are nearly as good as Sobers,none of the batsmen can do a 99.94.

[Anakin]

Sobers

[Holysmoke]

I voted for Bradman. While you have Imran Khan and Kallis who are nearly as good as Sobers' date='none of the batsmen can do a 99.94.[/quote'] I highly doubt Bradman would be able to do a 99.94 in the current game. If he can, then I would pick him first.

[Mariyam]

Bradman when high, Gary when sober.

[akshayxyz]

Bradman - if I do not know the composition for rest of the team. Then it is wise to pick a guy who is one of the best in his primary skill. Sobers - only when I am specifically looking fill an allrounder spot.

[zen]

Guys you have to realize that Sobers is considered as 2nd best batsman after Bradman too so this is not merely the best all-rounder vs best batsman battle. Sobers has hit triple 100, 6 sixes in an over, etc. For your pick, you have to see GS as the best batsman after Don. Therefore the equation is: Bradman (the best batsman of AT) in a test = 200 runs in tests (based on two innings) Sobers (2nd best batsman of AT + useful bowler) in a test = 116 runs + 3 wkts (based on two innings) Theoretically, the difference is 85more runs in the test vs 3 wkts in the test .... For me, this is what makes this selection interesting

[Asoka]

I highly doubt Bradman would be able to do a 99.94 in the current game. If he can' date=' then I would pick him first.[/quote'] A Champion in 1 era will always be a Champion in another.:winky:

[akshayxyz]

^ true this. 99.94 is not guaranteed but he would definitely figure out a way to be among the best in any era.

[zen]

Voted Bradman Because in a test, theoretically: - Bradman scores 200 runs - Sobers scores 116 runs and picks up 3 wkts Difference is 85 runs vs 3 wkts, which is like deciding b/w picking an extra batsman who averages 42-43 in tests vs a bowler who picks 3 wkts per test. This also shows that you have to be as good as Bradman to be picked over someone like Sobers, who brings so much value with both his batting and bowling. Both of them are of course absolute champions

[CSK Fan]

Bradman when high' date=' Gary when sober.[/quote'] :adore: :adore: :adore: :adore:

[therocky]

You can't compare a batsman from one era to another so I am not going to say if Bradman can score 99.94 average in this era but I will definitely have to pick Bradman, Imo he is the only one who can contest with SRT as the best batsman of all time

[Anakin]

A Champion in 1 era will always be a Champion in another.:winky:

Yes, but not with the same avg as in amateur era.

[zen]

Lets not forget that no one has managed to avg even 70-80 over 50 games even in Ranji trophy games on flat pitches against our pathetic bowlers and fielders so let's not try to derail this thread into ametuer vs pro era. He doesn't even have to avg 1OO any era, when no other batsman has, to be considered as the best. Even if he avg 70, he would be ahead of the competition. So lets cut that crap. If your fav player is being over shadowed by Don, its not Don's fault :winky: Stick to the topic!

[Prakat]

:fishing:

[yoda]

Bradman when high' date=' Gary when sober.[/quote'] :two_thumbs_up:

[Roshanrocks]

i would first sent them for a nets session to check if they can still play first pj :P

[akshayxyz]

i would first sent them for a nets session to check if they can still play first pj :P

:two_thumbs_up: That should be the end of discussion.

[Anakin]

Lets not forget that no one has managed to avg even 70-80 over 50 games even in Ranji trophy games on flat pitches against our pathetic bowlers and fielders so let's not try to derail this thread into ametuer vs pro era. He doesn't even have to avg 1OO any era, when no other batsman has, to be considered as the best. Even if he avg 70, he would be ahead of the competition. So lets cut that crap. If your fav player is being over shadowed by Don, its not Don's fault :winky: Stick to the topic!

That just shows how amateurish it was. Thanks. :haha:

[b555]

Voted Bradman Because in a test, theoretically: - Bradman scores 200 runs - Sobers scores 116 runs and picks up 3 wkts Difference is 85 runs vs 3 wkts, which is like deciding b/w picking an extra batsman who averages 42-43 in tests vs a bowler who picks 3 wkts per test. This also shows that you have to be as good as Bradman to be picked over someone like Sobers, who brings so much value with both his batting and bowling. Both of them are of course absolute champions

on similar lines, here's something cheaper that i have read once

It's Garry Sobers. And here's why: In a fictional Test match of unlimited overs, 11 Don Bradmans face 11 Garry Sobers... Soberses... Whatever. Captain Bradman wins the toss and elects to bat. So we have a batting line-up of 11 Don Bradmans. Each has a Test batting record of 6,996 runs at the unparallelled average of 99.94 featuring 29 centuries. Faced with the task of dismissing this nightmarish batting side are 11 Garry Sobers, each with a Test bowling record of 235 wickets at 34.03. Sobers goes at the Bradmans with seam bowling as the pitch is a little green. After a matter of days, the Bradmans are all out for 1,200. Now it's Sobers' turn to bat. Each of the batting Garry Sobers has a Test record of 8,032 runs at a whopping 57.78. Unfortunately for the Bradmans, they are, at best, mediocre bowlers. Their Test bowling record features just two wickets and an average of 36. The Bradmans aren't bowlers. Untroubled by any of the Bradmans' ineffectual pies, the Garry Sobers XI eventually declare their innings closed at 2,000-6. For the Bradmans' second innings, Sobers starts by bowling seam-up, but soon switches to slow finger spin at which he is equally adept. After a while, he mixes it up and bowls wrist-spin at one end and finger spin at the other end. This is all backed up by some ferocious fielding. On a wearing pitch the Bradmans are all out for 800, leaving the scores tied. Sobers then hits a single to emerge victorious by ten wickets.

and another one :

We are treading on touchy ground here,but one of the debates that have always fascinated me is that of the cricketer who most influenced the chances of victory for his team.For me,this has to be Gary Sobers due to his multi faceted capabilities but others could argue with equal vehemence that the Don's batsmanship was so supreme(he averaged nearly 40 more than the next batsman over a long career)that it would outweigh Sobers other talents There are no serious challengers to these two.In fact it was mentioned when picking Wisdens 5 greatest cricketers that the first two automatically selected themselves and questons basically revolved around the other three.Why do I (and many others)pick Sobers ahead of Bradman?Very simple.The following evaluation of the West Indies team of1963 should illustrate things clearly "The batting was very strong revolving around Hunte/Kanhai/Butcher & SOBERS.The team fast bowling with Hall Griffith & SOBERS is to be truly feared".The spin attack is no less with GIBBS,SOBERS & SOBERS" being able to turn the ball on any surface.The fielding is great with Hunte & SOBERS being especially outstanding" PS-There is only one Sobers not a team!" If he gets a zero,he picks up the new ball and blows you away,if he fail in that then two styles of spin bowling come into play-left arm chinaman & orthodox.If all esle failed there would be the brilliant slip & short leg catching.Need we say more? Bradman was an astute captain(which cannot be evaluated objectively) and a phenominal batsman.He was a genius in his field and on the batting front,it is very easy to say who was the greatest ever. Sobers was phenomenal on the two tours by the world eleven to England 1970 and Australia 1972.The World Team won both series.Looking at the experiences of the recent World XI one can say that part of the reason for success was the unquestioning acceptance of his leadership by the rest-all great cricketers themselves I rest my case