Best Batsman of 2006

But unfortunately Ponting got the Award, but I'd have to agree, Yousuf was the best batsman of the year. I'm sure that he will easily break both those records.

I don't know who was the best test batsman, it is a tough one to decide. Undoubtedly Yousuf has had an excellent year with the bat, as you guys said he is not far from breaking the record for the most runs ever in a calendar year.

The only problem is that Ponting has also had an excellent year, While Yousuf has scored 7 centuries this year, Ponting has scored 6. He also has got a lot of runs this year and he has 3 more test matches this year, Yousuf may break the record,but there is a chance Ponting will beat the record directly after that,

Anyways, well done to both batsman, they are in my book by far and away the two beat batsmEn of the year.

In response to Mani's question about averaging 200 in a series, I am not sure how many people have done it before but I do know Bradman did it in 1932 against South Africa in a 5 test series.

It's hard to say, the catch that Gilly just took off Clark to get Hoggard has just about confirmed the fact that a follow-on is about to occur and England are still over 400 runs behind!

Edited by MiNiWaRnEy - 26 November 2006 at 12:44am

I think what everyone has realised is that Ponting and Yousef are pretty much the joint best batsmen of the year, all the Pak supporters will go for Yousef and all the Aussie supporters will go for Ponting, as it is there is nothing between them.

Originally posted by mAni_paKi i'll go for Yousuf for year 2006,just look at the Records he has achieved.He has also broken Don's record.theres nothin else to say after that.

\ How surprising!

But Kerm, Yousuf has a beard

Originally posted by Kerm <font><font ="statscontent" face="COURIER NEW,COURIER,MONOSPACE"> Mohammad Yousuf 97.62RT Ponting 105.80 Yup nothing else to say.

Well, you know what, I've got something to say! I've already said this before but I'll say it again. Mohammad Yousuf has played 19 innings this year [including the 2 innings in the 3rd test against West Indies]. Out of those 19 innings, he has only had one not out score which really doesn't make a huge difference to his average for 2006. Ponting on the other hand has played 13 innings this year [so far] and out of those 13 innings, he has had 3 not out scores (143*,118*, 60*)! And just to let you know, that 143* is Ponting's second highest score this year. So, with such a huge not out score AND 2 other impressive not out scores, it obviously makes quite a difference to Ponting's 2006 batting average. And that's why Ponting's 2006 batting average is higher than Mohammad Yousuf's.

All of this was just to prove that the you can't declare Ponting the winner [in terms of averages] over Yousuf because it is slightly biased!

I will once again say that Ponting is in a class of his own compared to Mohammad Yousuf, but I had to clear up the averages issue.

Edited by saadadvanced7 - 02 December 2006 at 12:00am

Saad and Kerm you both make excellent points. Ponting has been playing like this for a lot longer then Yousef -  and like I have said put this on top of skippering a side (and being under enormous pressure after losing the Ashes in 2005 and pressure on him to win the Champs trophy) and his brilliant fielding, as well as holding a no.3 spot, in which he has made 3 not outs (which is heaps for a No.3). I am not going to say who is the best in 2006 -  I will let you make your own judgement..

Infact I would always say for the last decade ausie batsmen have been at an advantage to have not faced the best bowling and that should be considered too!

Originally posted by wiseguy Infact I would always say for the last decade ausie batsmen have been at an advantage to have not faced the best bowling and that should be considered too! It just gives them an open field to score runs, ponting , hussey, gilchrist, hayden have never faced the oppening spell of macgrath and lee, and never faced warne on a 4th day track so they have been lucky to be a part of ausie team also, will some one consider that too!

Ponting has faced McGrath and Warne in Domestic Cricket, and in the nets, why do you think he is so good? Not to mention all the battles McGrath and Ponting have had at the Academy in Australia as young talented players.






Edited by RightHandBat - 01 December 2006 at 10:18am

But sorry mate thats doesnt effect the international record, when you have never to face the best attack during your career , you are lucky and there is no fault of yours that your own attack has been the best!

Originally posted by Kerm Well being not out, especially at no.3 means your batting incredably well which is why it gets added onto the previous score for the average which is part of why the Average is important to look at for comparing players.

You are assuming that in all three of his not out scores this year, all 10 batsmen fell but he remained not out. Well your assumption is WRONG!

Let me clear up Pontings not outs for you! The first not out was 143* against South Africa in Sydney. It was made in Australia's second innings when they were chasing only 287 to win and Ponting carried them home after only 2 wickets fell.
The second not out was 118* against Bangladesh(!) in Fatullah. It was also made in Australia's second innings when they were chasing only 307 to win and Ponting stood not out while 7 wickets fell before Australia chased down the target. This was a good innings because it came under some pressure but really, for Ponting, facing the Bangladesh attack is no big deal.
The third not out was 60* against England in the first Ashes Test in Brisbane. It was also made in Australia's second innings. After England were bowled out for 157, Ponting didn't enforce the follow-on and decided to bat instead. He declared as soon as Langer got his century - at that point Australia were at 202/1 and Ponting was on 60*.

Well guys, both have played truly amazing for the year and both have played against different attacks in different conditions so its really hard to decide.