It took me a while but I wanted to take a deeper look at the Test careers of the top 7 batsmen and how they compared to the players from their era.
As such, I calculated the overall aggregate numbers of top order batsmen (1-6) during each batsman's playing career. For example, during Kanhai's playing career (5/57-4/74), top order batsmen had an aggregate average of 36.84 with an overseas aggregate average of 35.95. This allows us to compare each batsman to their peers.
Chanderpaul's average was 12.55 runs better than the average batsman during his career. This tops the list. Followed by Lloyd (9.74) and Kanhai (9.53). Hooper was actually a
below average batsman compared to his peers - averaging 0.61 runs less per innings.
Lloyd was an absolute beast when playing overseas in comparison to players from his era, averaging 11.38 runs more per innings. By comparison, Sarwan was 3.89 runs
below average when playing overseas.
In terms of innings per 100, Kanhai sits atop the list, scoring a century in 4.18 fewer innings than his peers. While Lloyd needed 5.21 fewer innings to notch a century when playing overseas.
Compared to his peers, it took Fredericks 1.72 fewer innings to score a fifty. While Shiv scored a fifty overseas in 1.69 fewer innings during his era.
Runs above average compared to their peers
Click to enlarge image
The higher the number, the better the player is in comparison to his peers.
In Test match cricket, Chanderpaul, Lloyd and Kanhai were in a class by themselves. Kallicharran just a step below, followed by Butcher and Fredericks. Sarwan was an average player. Hooper a below average player.