2 INDIAN BATSMEN NO LONGER IN TOP 3

https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDkNpXB1gJLEQ9MqkieziH8LUeSGO--_7UfNJE6uVUFi3kaa5G


* Until last night there were 2 Indian batsmen among the Top 3 scorers in test cricket.

* But then Jacques Kallis nipped Rahul Dravid by one run and took over the #3 spot.

* The Top 6 scorers in test cricket are now:

15,921---Tendulkar(1)
13,378---Ponting(2)
13,289---Kallis(3)
13,288---Dravid(4)
11,953---Lara(5)
11,219---Chanderpaul(6)

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

Rev

* 13,378 - 11,219 = 2159

* Forget about Lara and his pipsqueak 11,953.

* By the year 2016 Shiv will be overtaking Ponting(13,378) as the #2 scorer in test cricket.


WHO VEX, VEX.

Rev

Fellas do you think he will be allowed to do that

* In the past 7 years---since Jan 2007---Shiv has averaged 68.96 in 52 tests.

* Shiv is currently ranked #3 on the ICC Rankings---and may soon move up to #2.

* Shiv shows zero signs of slowing down.

* Shiv is the only batsman in history to average 60+ after age 35----minimum of 2000 runs scored.

* NO WAY SHIV GETTING DROPPED.

* By 2016 Shiv will be the 2nd highest runs scorer in test history.

Rev

What is remarkable with the top six is that there are 2 Westindians there and while Dravid will always be the bridesmaid to Tendulkar so too it seems that Chanderpaul will always be to Lara .
There is nothing wrong with this perception however since Tendulkar and Lara are a class by themselves .
It is rather ironic that both Dravid and Chanderpaul were accumulators  of runs in their plodding ways to their more flashy counterparts

* Not all great batsmen are cut from the same cloth.

* Greats like Lara and Richards were attacking greats----check their strike rates---Richards had a strike rate of 69.28; Lara had a strike rate of 60.51

* On the other hand greats like Dravid, Chanderpaul, SWaugh, Border and Kallis were defensive greats---accumulators----check their strike rates----Border 41; Dravid 42; Chanderpaul 43; Kallis 45; Waugh 48


RE: BRIDESMAID

* Just like Dravid was a bridesmaid to Tendulkar, Chanderpaul was a bridesmaid to Lara.

* But check Shiv's stats since Lara retired 7 years ago----Shiv has averaged 68.96 in 52 tests since Lara retired.

* Bridesmaid Dravid will never surpass Tendulkar---but former bridesmaid Shiv will surpass Lara in runs scored in tests.


Rev

Well someone had to do the hard yards !!! 

How many of you are familiar with the Oak Tree Theory ?

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSs4BwA_Nb_eBlyJH_DHorGL1vDBA_GsmweCuKPkiFzWs271a-aKA

* When Lara retired Shiv's average in 100 tests was only 44.50

* Check that Oak Tree(Lara)---nothing grows underneath.

* After Lara retired----Shiv blossomed----in 52 teats over the last 7 years Shiv has averaged 68.96----and his overall average has risen from 44.50 to 51.93

Rev

Oh my god, Kallis nearly broke Punter's record there. Could've ended at #2 easily with another series or two.