Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

I rate Buttler England's best ever ODI cricketer (Flintoff?) and certainly the best bat.

From past generations I'd pick KP. But modern players are scoring so much faster JB can perhaps only be likened to Bairstow or Stokes, maybe Morgan.

I think you can discredit Nick Knight on the sole basis his SR was not great for even the times. He debuted around the time SL openers revolutionised the game, and where guys like Gilchrist were obliterating conventions as to pinch hitting roles. Knight always felt like an anchor man batting for himself in an abjectly poor side; had England been competitive his SR would have been problematic.

I think Eoin Morgan is the most important LO player England have had. I think KPs record pre 2010 stands out in T20Is for England because he was so far ahead of the curve, and the 2010 WC he has unbelieveable.

Buttler is probably England's best LO overs bat overall, but I would take Bairstow over him in ODIs. Averaging over 10 runs more at SRs over 105 as an opener, and if Bairstow keeps it up a few more years I think there is a genuine case for him being considered the best ODI player ever.

But then the bar is insanely high. Give me either, Ill be happy. I just think opening the bat and setting the innings makes it easier for Buttler to have Bairstow. Would KP record be better if he wasnt the only player fighting the tide of nonsense negativity? Would Buttler be doing what he does in ODIs without a top order that often leaves an opposition in a smouldering wreck?

bigfluffylemon wrote:Yorkshire's response to the Rafiq racism report is beyond a joke.

Zimbabwe born Gary Ballance says he was one of the offenders but presumed Rafiq wasn't unhappy with the language used. From BBC.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/59155576

I did think it must have been, when I read the Dobell article

Australia hammer Bangladesh

Windies crash out

Warne and Paine war of words