ENGLISH BATSMEN: Their Failure To Average 50 In Tests

OK Folks:

As you are aware, a 50 test average is what separates good batsmen from world class batsmen, and in looking at the test careers of English batsmen one finds that since 1968 , when Ken Barrington retired with a 58.67 average, not a single English batsman since then has averaged 50.

* Another thing---not a single English batsman has scored 10,000 runs in tests

* Among the Top 10 runs scorers in England's test history---only one has averaged 50+---Hammond


HERE ARE SOME NOTABLE ENGLISHMEN AND THEIR BATTING AVERAGE

47.75---Cook
48.06---Pietersen
46.36---Bell
46.45---Trott
42.48---Gooch
44.25---Gower
47.72---Boycott


CLICK ON THE LINK FOR STATS:

stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/i...results;type=batting


RE: BOYCOTT

He talks a good talk on TV----but he did not average 50+


QUESTION:

Why have English batsmen struggled to average 50+ in tests ?

* It has been 45 years since an English batsman retired with a 50+ test average---did you folks know that ?

Rev

* I was actually surprised when I found out no English batsman has averaged 50+ since Barrington retired in 1968---that's 45 years ago.

* Kevin Pietersen gets a lot of attention---but after 100 tests---his average is only 48.06

* And after the current ashes---he will likely be averaging in the 46-47 range.

Rev

* Some West Indians will tell you that Barrington(58.67) is not a great because he averaged only 34.73 in 17 tests against the West Indies.

* By the way, Barrington ended his career with a higher average than Sobers(57.78)

Rev

Well I'm not a fan of getting hung up on stats so much. Like why isn't  46-48 ish average good? Sure, 50 is a nice figure, but immediately after crossing 50 one is classy and before that isn't so much?

Interesting observation of course, but:is hard to swallow for me personally.

Listen up!

* In the Rev's opinion---the best batsman who ever played the game was Rohan Kanhai.

* Guess what ?

* The babu did not average 50----infact he averaged 47.63.

* But Rev don't give a rat's a$$ about Kanhai's average---in my mind---Kanhai was the best---and that's all that matters.

* No way 50+ batsmen like Shiv, Waugh, Border, Dravid, Kallis, Ponting, etc etc could bat like Kanhai---NO WAY!


BOTTOM LINE:

We have to use some sort of guage to separate the outstanding performers---the consistent producers---from the ordinary producers----and that simple guage is the 50+ batting average.


Rev

tell dem Rev!

The babu was the boss! 

He inspired the entire Sub continent and then some! 

Then what was the point of your categorical statement:I'd happily "listen up", but I can't read your mind. That clearly didn't seem to be what you implied here, in your OP.