Without a shadow of doubt and this is my ranking the gap between number 1 and everyone else is massive. Sarwan would have been my number 2 but for not fulfilling his potential, for whatever reason
[quote author=Mail link=topic=106188.msg712985#msg712985 date=1473962962]
To rank Shiv ahead of the original Master Blaster is folly my friend but your vote...
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I hear what you are saying. However, I ranked Shiv because he has been the one man batting army for WI since Lara retired and literally carried WI batting on his shoulders. He had shown a toughness no one shown since Viv retired. Unfortunately, Kanhai gave it away many times when he was sailing smoothly, as if he got bored batting!
I would say Guyana's batting greats are Kanhai, Lloyd and Chanders, in that order.
One level down you have Kali, Sarwan and Fredericks, in that order.
Sarwan and Fredericks had their careers cut short, so it's hard to judge them. I put Sars ahead of Freddie because I consider Sars a WI ODI great. He's my automatic pick for my number 5 slot (averages in the 50s here) on a WI all time ODI team.
Hooper comes next. He's an aesthetic great, but actually a waste of time.
By the way, Kali would have averaged 50 instead of 44 if he didn't play his last year (1980). He had a 11 year career, but his last year killed his average. Goes to show how fickle averages are. If Kali had played another year or a year less, history might have remembered him differently. But those guys like Kanhai, Lloyd, Kali and even Viv, never played for averages.
[quote author=Smoking Joe link=topic=106188.msg712991#msg712991 date=1473963647]
I hear what you are saying. However, I ranked Shiv because he has been the one man batting army for WI since Lara retired and literally carried WI batting on his shoulders. He had shown a toughness no one shown since Viv retired. Unfortunately, Kanhai gave it away many times when he was sailing smoothly, as if he got bored batting!
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Could not agree more with you on Shiv and disagree with you on The Master Blaster Kanhai.
Of course I respect your vote and it is fantastic sharing perspectives.
I do not know if you ever saw Kanhai but if you did and then saw Viv, say, you would know what I am talking about.
Kanhai had many great innings in tests but also for Warwicks and I draw your attention to the ton he made at Sabina during Gavaskar's debut series.