[Series Thread] World Cup 2019

[Andybligzz]

For me we are just lucky in general to have a generation of kholi , DeVilliers , Williamson , Smith and now babar. Add in the likes of Butler as well as Rohit and Warner it’s pretty special in my opinion .

[Kriterion_BD]

For me we are just lucky in general to have a generation of kholi , DeVilliers , Williamson , Smith and now babar. Add in the likes of Butler as well as Rohit and Warner it’s pretty special in my opinion .

You forgot Root.

Add Mushfiq in there who is at least as good as Babar, and statistically better than Williamson's form over the past 4 years (and that is a very long period of time mind you). Numbers simply cannot lie, especially when put in the context of several years. De Villiers has retired quite a long time ago. Also lets not forget Shakib as one of the very best all rounders of all time, and probably the absolute best spin bowling all rounder ever. As the leading run scorer in the world cup, he could crack probably ever playing XI just on his batting alone. And while his ODI bowling isn't as good as his Test bowling, its still quite decent.

On the bowling front you have Starc and Cummins, probably the richest crop of wrist spinners going around, and then some very decent bowlers like Boult/Southee/Bumrah/Rabada/Joseph/Archer.

[Andybligzz]

For me we are just lucky in general to have a generation of kholi , DeVilliers , Williamson , Smith and now babar. Add in the likes of Butler as well as Rohit and Warner it’s pretty special in my opinion .

You forgot Root.

Add Mushfiq in there who is at least as good as Babar, and statistically better than Williamson's form over the past 4 years (and that is a very long period of time mind you). Numbers simply cannot lie, especially when put in the context of several years. De Villiers has retired quite a long time ago. Also lets not forget Shakib as one of the very best all rounders of all time, and probably the absolute best spin bowling all rounder ever. As the leading run scorer in the world cup, he could crack probably ever playing XI just on his batting alone. And while his ODI bowling isn't as good as his Test bowling, its still quite decent.

On the bowling front you have Starc and Cummins, probably the richest crop of wrist spinners going around, and then some very decent bowlers like Boult/Southee/Bumrah/Rabada/Joseph/Archer.

My bad I did forgot root , did not forget Mushfiq though as he isn’t in the same category . Not having this argument with you again mate , Mushfiq is a gun but he’s not near the names I mentioned .

[Andybligzz]

Shakib isn’t the leading run scorer either , finch and warner are in 1 and 2 so once again you are just runnin shit . Shakib though I do agree is probaly the greatest spin bowling all rounder ever , I will give you that. I love the man and rate him highly . I was talking in terms of just quality batsman not players of all calibers , your one eye comes through quiet a lot . Also Bumrah is better than Cummins and probaly a better bowler than Starc .

[Zimco]

Shaking is having a good World Cup and at present form must be considered a world class batsmen. Average of 95 at strike rate of a 100 this World Cup. 6 matches 476 runs (3rd highest for this World Cup.

However Baba is young and shakib was clearly not at babas level at a similar age. He has seen a great improvement over the last few years like much of the Bangladesh side.

So on current form shaking is a World Class batter but not over his whole career where his average drops significantly.

[Zimco]

Sorry Shakib not shaking.

[sloandog]

Shaking Al Hassan

[Kriterion_BD]

My bad I did forgot root , did not forget Mushfiq though as he isn’t in the same category . Not having this argument with you again mate , Mushfiq is a gun but he’s not near the names I mentioned .

I knew you'd make that obvious reply, but Shakib has played 1 less game than Finch and Warner and is only 26 runs behind them. An extra innings vs SL's bowling attack and he'd almost certainly be #1.

Numbers cannot lie. Mushfiq is right up there. I've watched almost every inninngs Mushy has played and he is right up there with KW and Babar, if Babar makes the list. This kind of blatant disregard for facts simply has to be called out.

Give me one reason why Mushfiq isn't up on the list? Is it his lack of height? Or the fact that he plays for a shitty cricket team that is ranked lower than Nepal? You haven't stated a single reason. I can give you several:

1) average and strike rate superior to Williamson over the past 4 years. average and strike rate right up there with the best this world cup where bowling attacks and pitches/conditions are all equal for all players.

2) high impact runs. Mushy often comes in at 10 for 2, and bats his team to a defendable score.

3) versatility. as a classic Test batsman, he can block out an end when the bowling or conditions are an inferno. He has often started an ODI innings with 10 off 30 balls. He can then switch seamlessly in the middle overs to pick gaps for ones, twos, and threes and the occaisional boundary. in the death overs, he might be small, but he can hit 6s with very decent skill.

4) technique. his defense his solid, his cover drives and square cuts are near perfect. there isn't a single shot he can't play well.

5) in ODIs he is an away track bully. doesn't rely on scoring runs at home. He's scored runs in South Africa, in England, basically everywhere.

6) An average of 65 at a strike rate of 90, with an unbeaten century against Australia's benchmark ODI bowling attack, I think makes my point.

[Kriterion_BD]

Also Bumrah is better than Cummins and probaly a better bowler than Starc .

At the moment probably. Starc and Cummins are better strike bowlers (check their strike rates). Even Mustafiz who isn't getting much grip from English wickets, has a better strike rate than Bumrah. But ODI bowling is more about economy rate than wickets and Bumrah has one of the best econ rates (and his strike rate is still very good). Its only if your average is 40+ that that becomes a factor.

As long as your average is 35 or less, and your strike rate is decent, ODI and T20 bowlers should primarily be judged on their econ rates.

[Kriterion_BD]

Shaking is having a good World Cup and at present form must be considered a world class batsmen. Average of 95 at strike rate of a 100 this World Cup. 6 matches 476 runs (3rd highest for this World Cup.

However Baba is young and shakib was clearly not at babas level at a similar age. He has seen a great improvement over the last few years like much of the Bangladesh side.

So on current form shaking is a World Class batter but not over his whole career where his average drops significantly.

Here's the issue, Babar was young. He's almost 25 now. Thats not young. For me the cutoff of young is 23. So Babar at 25 is statistically as good as Mushfiq at 28-32...is Babar going to be signficantly better by age 30? He averages 50 at age 25. Are we expecting him to average 70 by age 30 like Kohli is? I don't think so. There's only so much he can improve on if he's already that great.