In the article on Test batting positions, I looked at the highest averages in each batting position from Opening to No.7. There were a number of useful comments and some of the readers wanted me to create additional tables to throw more light and create a better insight into the fascinating topic. Hence this follow-up analysis.

1. The first table is a very important one asked for by Abhi. This is a matrix of Decades and Batting Position Averages.

Decade Tests  <---------------Batting average----------------> 
              Opening  BP 3   BP 4   BP 5   BP 6   BP 7   Op-7 

1930s:    99   38.10  51.93  40.93  35.84  31.09  26.71  37.85
1940s:    44   44.13  42.62  52.71  40.71  33.34  25.68  41.02
1950s:   165   33.42  37.10  40.64  33.02  25.75  22.45  32.51
1960s:   186   36.38  41.55  41.87  38.42  33.20  24.89  36.36
1970s:   197   38.29  40.16  40.23  38.19  31.56  28.90  36.76
1980s:   267   34.79  38.10  41.64  36.43  35.14  29.24  35.85
1990s:   347   35.51  36.00  40.88  38.13  33.37  26.77  35.35
2000s:   477   37.34  43.51  44.11  41.11  34.37  30.32  38.47

Total:  1782   36.46  40.51  42.17  38.18  32.83  27.69  36.54

My gut feel is that this is going to be a very important table which will be used by many of us quite regularly. Let us see the salient numbers. First a brief explanation. For reasons which are obvious the first Test I considered was Test # 176, which began on 30 Nov 1928 (no prizes for guessing why). Hence the 10 Tests during these 13 months are clubbed with the 1930s. Similarly the 13 Tests which were played during the current year are clubbed with the 2000s decade.

Let me first explain the two 50+ averages. The very high average at BP3 during the 1930s is solely because of Bradman's 98 average until end of 1939. The 50+ average during 1940s at BP4 is mainly because of the 50+ averages in this position of Hassett, Compton and Hammond. Morever only 44 Tests were played during this decade.

My thanks to Abhi for an excellent suggestion. A few comments, not necessarily a complete list. Readers can add their own observations.

- Barring the Bradman-centric 1930s, the 2000s have had the best averages in the positions, BP3, BP4 (again ignoring the 1940s with only 44 Tests), BP5 and BP7. Truly a batsmen-dominated decade.
- The best Opening figures have been during 1970s (Gavaskar, Boycott, Lawry, Glenn Turner et al).
- The best BP6 figures have been during the 1980s (led by Border).
- The change from 1990s to 2000s is truly amazing. A 10% increase in overall average value.
- Note also the very high BP7 average of the 2000s.
- It can also be seen that BP4 has a higher overall average than BP3. This is a slight deviation from the earlier discussions.
- Note also the discernible correlation between the Opening average and the overall average.

2. Now for a table which I thought of to provide additional insight to the way an individual batsman has batted. I have identified the top 3 favourite batting positions of batsmen based on runs scored and created a table of runs scored, % of total runs, batting average in this position and a comparison to the overall batting average.

SN0 Batsman           Top Bat position   Next Batpos     Third Batpos
                      Pos Runs   Avge  Pos Runs   Avge  Pos Runs  Avge
                         %Car ToBtAvg    %Car ToBtAvg     %Car ToBtAvg

  1.Tendulkar S.R    | 4:11239- 57.34 | 5:1331- 55.46  | 6: 745- 43.82
                     |     84%   1.03 |    10%   1.00  |     6%   0.79
  2.Lara B.C         | 4: 7535- 51.26 | 3:3749- 60.47  | 5: 536- 41.23
                     |     63%   0.97 |    31%   1.14  |     4%   0.78
  3.Ponting R.T      | 3: 9417- 59.60 | 6:1989- 49.72  | 7: 208- 26.00
                     |     79%   1.08 |    17%   0.90  |     2%   0.47
  4.Dravid R         | 3: 8970- 55.71 | 4: 957- 53.17  | 1: 489- 32.60
                     |     79%   1.04 |     8%   0.99  |     4%   0.61
  5.Border A.R       | 4: 3792- 49.89 | 5:3062- 52.79  | 6:2556- 52.16
                     |     34%   0.99 |    27%   1.04  |    23%   1.03
  6.Waugh S.R        | 5: 6754- 56.28 | 6:3165- 51.05  | 7: 543- 33.94
                     |     62%   1.10 |    29%   1.00  |     5%   0.66
  7.Kallis J.H       | 4: 6943- 61.99 | 3:3335- 49.78  | 5: 409- 37.18
                     |     64%   1.13 |    31%   0.91  |     4%   0.68
  8.Gavaskar S.M     | 1: 9607- 50.30 | 4: 236-236.00  | 5: 144- 36.00
                     |     95%   0.98 |     2%   4.62  |     1%   0.70
  9.Jayawardene M    | 4: 7290- 59.75 | 5: 897- 33.22  | 3: 798- 49.88
                     |     80%   1.11 |    10%   0.62  |     9%   0.92
 10.Gooch G.A        | 1: 7811- 43.88 | 5: 419- 32.23  | 3: 347- 43.38
                     |     88%   1.03 |     5%   0.76  |     4%   1.02
 11.Javed Miandad    | 4: 6925- 54.10 | 5:1468- 54.37  | 6: 221- 24.56
                     |     78%   1.03 |    17%   1.03  |     3%   0.47
 12.Inzamam-ul-Haq   | 4: 4867- 52.90 | 5:2144- 51.05  | 6: 887- 36.96
                     |     55%   1.07 |    24%   1.03  |    10%   0.75
 13.Chanderpaul S    | 5: 4409- 52.49 | 6:2235- 65.74  | 3: 925- 34.26
                     |     51%   1.08 |    26%   1.35  |    11%   0.70
 14.Hayden M.L       | 1: 8626- 50.74 |                |              
                     |    100%   1.00 |                |              
 15.Richards I.V.A   | 3: 3508- 61.54 | 5:2720- 47.72  | 4:1566- 41.21
                     |     41%   1.23 |    32%   0.95  |    18%   0.82
 16.Stewart A.J      | 1: 3348- 44.64 | 6:1421- 34.66  | 3:1307- 43.57
                     |     40%   1.13 |    17%   0.88  |    15%   1.10
 17.Gower D.I        | 4: 3223- 38.37 | 3:2619- 49.42  | 5:2131- 49.56
                     |     39%   0.87 |    32%   1.12  |    26%   1.12
 18.Boycott G        | 1: 8091- 48.16 | 4:  23- 11.50  |              
                     |    100%   1.01 |     0%   0.24  |              
 19.Sobers G.St.A    | 6: 2614- 53.35 | 5:1895- 59.22  | 4:1530- 63.75
                     |     33%   0.92 |    24%   1.02  |    19%   1.10
 20.Waugh M.E        | 4: 6662- 42.43 | 5: 700- 35.00  | 6: 589- 53.55
                     |     83%   1.01 |     9%   0.84  |     7%   1.28
...
...
 37.Bradman D.G      | 3: 5078-103.63 | 6: 681- 97.29  | 4: 485- 53.89
                     |     73%   1.04 |    10%   0.97  |     7%   0.54

I am not going to make many statements. Let the readers do the talking.

Just to explain something. First ignore the opening batsmen like Hayden who has a perfect 100% in his opening position. Take Tendulkar and Lara. Tendulkar has scored 84% of his runs in a single batting position indicating a reasonably settled career. In fact he has the highest top position % amongst all top batsmen. On the other hand Lara has moved between BP3 and BP4 quite a lot. Note also how much of a movement Border, Chanderpaul, Inzamam and Sobers have had.

Note also the very high batting averages of batsmen like Steve Waugh, Kallis, Richards and Jayawardene have had in their favourite batting positions. Contrast this with Border, Sobers and Lara who have paid for their movements with below-par average in their batting position.

Bradman's distribution does not show any surprise other than the very low (you are kidding !!!) average of 53.89 at BP4, possibly during the body-line series, if I am not mistaken.

To view/down-load the complete tables, please click/right-click here.

3. This is a table asked for by Marees who wanted a summarized analysis of the 9-10-11 positions. Certain criteria. First the batsman must have scored a minimum of 500 runs in these three positions. The other added criteria is that the batsman should have scored over 50% of his career runs in these 9-10-11 positions. This is to prevent players with higher level batting qualifications, such as Shaun Pollock (534 runs at 41.08), Oldfield (658 runs at 34.63) and Vaas (804 runs at 26.80) et al.

Batsman           Team   BPA  Runs  Inns NO   Avge % of total

Swann G.P          Eng  9.00   507   18   4   36.21  90.1%
More K.S           Ind  8.33   693   34   9   27.72  53.9%
Allen D.A          Eng  8.63   511   29  10   26.89  55.7%
Boje N             Saf  8.10   804   37   7   26.80  61.3%
Pollock P.M        Saf  9.29   509   33  11   23.14  83.9%
Lee B              Aus  8.72  1122   69  16   21.17  77.3%
Tayfield H.J       Saf  8.58   577   41   8   17.48  66.9%
Cairns B.L         Nzl  9.02   737   51   8   17.14  79.4%
Gillespie J.N      Aus  8.86   867   76  25   17.00  71.0%
Edmonds P.H        Eng  8.80   514   43  12   16.58  58.7%
Sarfraz Nawaz      Pak  8.97   824   57   7   16.48  78.9%
Abdul Qadir        Pak  8.66   603   45   8   16.30  58.6%
Hall W.W           Win  9.65   784   64  14   15.68  95.8%
Doull S.B          Nzl  9.76   562   47  11   15.61  98.6%
Harbhajan Singh    Ind  9.11   997   81  17   15.58  62.9%
Srinath J          Ind  9.55   932   79  19   15.53  92.4%
Mohammad Rafique   Bng  8.75   574   41   4   15.51  54.2%
Trueman F.S        Eng  9.26   868   72  14   14.97  88.5%
Collinge R.O       Nzl 10.10   533   50  13   14.41 100.0%

Swann's position as an outstanding low-order batsman is blostered by this table. Brett Lee's 1000+ runs at an average of 21+ is also quite commendable.

4. The final table is one asked by Unni. He wanted a table on batting position value weighted by the runs scored in that particular position. I will present this table without comments and let Unni have his say.

To view/down-load the complete tables, please click/right-click here.

SNo Batsman         Team  Inns   BPA    Runs WtBPA(R)

  1.Tendulkar S.R    Ind   271  4.28   13447   4.23
  2.Lara B.C         Win   232  3.78   11953   3.71
  3.Ponting R.T      Aus   243  3.82   11924   3.61
  4.Dravid R         Ind   240  3.19   11395   3.26
  5.Border A.R       Aus   265  4.70   11174   4.65
  6.Waugh S.R        Aus   260  5.42   10927   5.33
  7.Kallis J.H       Saf   231  3.81   10843   3.76
  8.Gavaskar S.M     Ind   214  1.26   10122   1.20
  9.Jayawardene M    Slk   182  4.10    9123   4.04
 10.Gooch G.A        Eng   215  1.46    8900   1.38
 11.Javed Miandad    Pak   189  4.22    8832   4.21
 12.Inzamam-ul-Haq   Pak   200  4.65    8830   4.62
 13.Chanderpaul S    Win   210  4.80    8669   4.97
 14.Hayden M.L       Aus   184  1.00    8626   1.00
 15.Richards I.V.A   Win   182  4.16    8540   3.93
 16.Stewart A.J      Eng   235  3.58    8465   3.30
 17.Gower D.I        Eng   204  3.98    8231   3.97
 18.Boycott G        Eng   193  1.03    8114   1.01
 19.Sobers G.St.A    Win   160  5.04    8032   4.92
 20.Waugh M.E        Aus   209  4.24    8029   4.22

To view/down-load the complete tables, please click/right-click here.

The curtain rings on a fascinating subject in which the reader comments have been very illuminating. My thanks to all of them.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul: The best at No.6 © Getty Images

This is a logical sequence to the ODI Batting positions analysis and will enable us to get a very good handle on the best Test performers at each batting position. The batting average is used as the yardstick for measuring. This is the most accepted of all batting measures and has very few critics. Also the same method is used to determine the individual batsmen figures. Since the comparisons are across all batsmen at the same position the impact of not outs is minimised.

The batting average of the batsman in the relevant position is used to sequence the tables. Let us now look at the tables. Where there are more than 20 batsmen, the top-20 are shown.

Batting position: Opening (minimum 3000 runs)       

No Batsman         Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge    % of
                              Runs                         Total

 1.Sutcliffe H     Eng  1.06  4555   83   9  4522  61.11   99.3%  8.1% ahead
 2.Hutton L        Eng  1.23  6971  131  12  6721  56.48   96.4%
 3.Hobbs J.B       Eng  1.20  5410   97   6  5130  56.37   94.8%
 4.Simpson R.B     Aus  2.64  4869   70   4  3664  55.52   75.3%
 5.Sehwag V        Ind  1.41  6691  120   5  6312  54.89   94.3%
 6.Amiss D.L       Eng  1.72  3612   69   8  3276  53.70   90.7%
 7.Smith G.C       Saf  1.26  6800  136   8  6565  51.29   96.5%
 8.Hayden M.L      Aus  1.00  8626  184  14  8626  50.74  100.0%
 9.Gavaskar S.M    Ind  1.26 10122  203  12  9607  50.30   94.9%
10.Langer J.L      Aus  1.79  7696  115   9  5112  48.23   66.4%
11.Boycott G       Eng  1.03  8114  191  23  8091  48.16   99.7%
12.Gibbs H.H       Saf  1.89  6167  116   5  5242  47.23   85.0%
13.Lawry W.M       Aus  1.00  5234  123  12  5234  47.15  100.0%
14.Saeed Anwar     Pak  1.16  4052   86   2  3957  47.11   97.7%
15.Morris A.R      Aus  1.13  3533   76   2  3381  45.69   95.7%
16.Vaughan M.P     Eng  2.37  5719   72   4  3093  45.49   54.1%
17.Greenidge C.G   Win  1.05  7558  182  16  7488  45.11   99.1%
18.Hunte C.C       Win  1.00  3245   78   6  3245  45.07  100.0%
19.Stewart A.J     Eng  3.58  8465   77   2  3348  44.64   39.6%
20.Edrich J.H      Eng  1.76  5138   82   5  3430  44.55   66.8%
16 further entries.

England dominates with the greats, Sutcliffe, Hobbs and Hutton occupying the top-3 positions. Sehwag is in the top 5. Note also that Hayden, Lawry and Hunte in this list never did anything but open.

Batting position: # 3 (minimum 2000 runs)           

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge   % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.Bradman D.G      Aus  3.65  6996   56   7  5078 103.63  72.6% 34.1% ahead
 2.Barrington K.F   Eng  4.04  6806   40   6  2626  77.24  38.6%
 3.Hammond W.R      Eng  3.66  7249   52   6  3440  74.78  47.5%
 4.Headley G.A      Win  3.60  2190   32   3  2064  71.17  94.2%
 5.Richards I.V.A   Win  4.16  8540   59   2  3508  61.54  41.1%
 6.Lara B.C         Win  3.78 11953   66   4  3749  60.47  31.4%
 7.Ponting R.T      Aus  3.82 11924  177  19  9417  59.60  79.0%
 8.Sangakkara K.C   Slk  3.03  7549  127   8  6916  58.12  91.6%
 9.Dravid R         Ind  3.19 11395  179  18  8970  55.71  78.7%
10.Amla H.M         Saf  3.29  3261   62   6  2977  53.16  91.3%
11.Kanhai R.B       Win  3.30  6227   90   1  4689  52.69  75.3%
12.Dexter E.R       Eng  3.80  4502   57   3  2798  51.81  62.2%
13.Edrich W.J       Eng  2.83  2440   41   1  2049  51.22  84.0%
14.Chappell I.M     Aus  3.59  5345   91   7  4279  50.94  80.1%
15.Younis Khan      Pak  3.62  5260   80   3  3913  50.82  74.4%
16.Kallis J.H       Saf  3.81 10843   78  11  3335  49.78  30.8%
17.Gower D.I        Eng  3.98  8231   56   3  2619  49.42  31.8%
18.Amarnath M       Ind  3.94  4378   66   5  2907  47.66  66.4%
19.Fleming S.P      Nzl  3.65  7172   69   6  2977  47.25  41.5%
20.Richardson R.B   Win  2.98  5949  107   7  4711  47.11  79.2%
13 further entries.

Bradman on top is a foregone conclusion. He is ahead by over 34%. However look at the 70+ averages of Barrington and Hammond as also Headley. Then there is wide gap before Richards gets in, followed by Lara. The averages in this key position are the highest amongst all batting positions.

Batting position: # 4 (minimum 2000 runs)            

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge   % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.EdeC Weekes      Win  4.15  4455   57   4  3372  63.62  75.7% 1.7% ahead
 2.Pollock R.G      Saf  4.10  2256   37   4  2065  62.58  91.5%
 3.Kallis J.H       Saf  3.81 10843  130  18  6943  61.99  64.0%
 4.Jayawardene M    Slk  4.10  9123  133  11  7290  59.75  79.9%
 5.Mohammad Yousuf  Pak  4.65  7431   60   3  3373  59.18  45.4%
 6.Barrington K.F   Eng  4.04  6806   44   4  2367  59.17  34.8%
 7.Chappell G.S     Aus  4.04  7110   86  13  4316  59.12  60.7%
 8.May P.B.H        Eng  3.65  4537   49   8  2383  58.12  52.5%
 9.O'Neill N.C      Aus  3.84  2779   41   6  2010  57.43  72.3%
10.Tendulkar S.R    Ind  4.28 13447  220  24 11239  57.34  83.6%
11.Javed Miandad    Pak  4.22  8832  140  12  6925  54.10  78.4%
12.Compton D.C.S    Eng  4.34  5807   86   7  4234  53.59  72.9%
13.Inzamam-ul-Haq   Pak  4.65  8830   98   6  4867  52.90  55.1%
14.Lara B.C         Win  3.78 11953  148   1  7535  51.26  63.0%
15.Hammond W.R      Eng  3.66  7249   66   7  2997  50.80  41.3%
16.Nourse A.D       Saf  4.10  2960   53   5  2400  50.00  81.1%
17.Border A.R       Aus  4.70 11174   89  13  3792  49.89  33.9%
18.Pietersen K.P    Eng  4.30  5074   74   2  3579  49.71  70.5%
19.Crowe M.D        Nzl  4.16  5444  106   8  4841  49.40  88.9%
20.Vengsarkar D.B   Ind  3.60  6868   64  10  2605  48.24  37.9%
16 further entries.

The greatest W of the three, Everton Weekes is on top here, followed by Greame Pollock, close behind. Then the moderns take over, Kallis, Jayawardene and Md Yousuf. The highest scorer in this position, Tendulkar just manages to make the top-10 with an average of 57.34.

Batting position: # 5 (minimum 2000 runs)            

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge   % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.Waugh S.R        Aus  5.42 10927  142  22  6754  56.28  61.8% 0.1% ahead
 2.Thorpe G.P       Eng  4.72  6744   78  18  3373  56.22  50.0%
 3.Clarke M.J       Aus  5.16  4375   68   7  3416  56.00  78.1%
 4.Flower A         Zim  5.03  4794   82  13  3788  54.90  79.0%
 5.Zaheer Abbas     Pak  3.94  5062   42   4  2048  53.89  40.5%
 6.Mohammad Yousuf  Pak  4.65  7431   77   7  3718  53.11  50.0%
 7.Samaraweera T.T  Slk  5.40  3938   57   6  2706  53.06  68.7%
 8.Border A.R       Aus  4.70 11174   69  11  3062  52.79  27.4%
 9.Chanderpaul S    Win  4.80  8669  100  16  4409  52.49  50.9%
10.Inzamam-ul-Haq   Pak  4.65  8830   49   7  2144  51.05  24.3%
11.Gower D.I        Eng  3.98  8231   49   6  2131  49.56  25.9%
12.Cowdrey M.C      Eng  3.64  7624   54   6  2377  49.52  31.2%
13.Azharuddin M     Ind  5.04  6215   94   5  4346  48.83  69.9%
14.Richards I.V.A   Win  4.16  8540   63   6  2720  47.72  31.9%
15.Walters K.D      Aus  5.16  5357   49   4  2134  47.42  39.8%
16.Lloyd C.H        Win  5.32  7515   72   6  3049  46.20  40.6%
17.Prince A.G       Saf  4.68  3195   64  10  2396  44.37  75.0%
18.Collingwood P.D  Eng  5.17  4058   61   6  2392  43.49  58.9%
19.Hooper C.L       Win  4.83  5762   75   6  2911  42.19  50.5%
20.Astle N.J        Nzl  4.89  4702   87   3  3181  37.87  67.7%
3 further entries.

Steve Waugh, the fighter extraordinary, tops here with an excellent 60+ average. A decimal point behind him is an equally intrepid English fighter, Graham Thorpe. Michael Clarke and Andy Flower post averages on either side of 55. The stylish Zaheer Abbas chips in next with a 53+ average.

Batting position: # 6 (minimum 1500 runs)           

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge   % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.Chanderpaul S    Win  4.80  8669   42   8  2235  65.74  25.8% 15.7% ahead
 2.Saleem Malik     Pak  4.97  5768   36   8  1591  56.82  27.6%
 3.Sobers G.St.A    Win  5.04  8032   57   8  2614  53.35  32.5%
 4.Border A.R       Aus  4.70 11174   63  14  2556  52.16  22.9%
 5.Waugh S.R        Aus  5.42 10927   79  17  3165  51.05  29.0%
 6.Laxman V.V.S     Ind  4.52  7136   64  11  2647  49.94  37.1%
 7.Ponting R.T      Aus  3.82 11924   45   5  1989  49.72  16.7%
 8.Lloyd C.H        Win  5.32  7515   47   4  2114  49.16  28.1%
 9.Walters K.D      Aus  5.16  5357   45   6  1869  47.92  34.9%
10.Tillakaratne H.P Slk  5.67  4545   74  14  2843  47.38  62.6%
11.de Villiers A.B  Saf  4.12  3902   38   4  1584  46.59  40.6%
12.Dilshan T.M      Slk  5.46  3691   52   7  2087  46.38  56.5%
13.Coney J.V        Nzl  5.65  2668   48   9  1772  45.44  66.4%
14.Asif Iqbal       Pak  5.79  3575   45   5  1750  43.75  49.0%
15.Greig A.W        Eng  5.85  3599   67   4  2741  43.51  76.2%
16.McMillan C.D     Nzl  5.80  3116   51   5  1899  41.28  60.9%
17.Rhodes J.N       Saf  5.81  2532   49   5  1813  41.20  71.6%
18.Ganguly S.C      Ind  4.96  7212   47   5  1725  41.07  23.9%
19.Ranatunga A      Slk  5.52  5105   54   5  1907  38.92  37.4%
20.Logie A.L        Win  5.81  2470   52   5  1559  33.17  63.1%
2 further entries.

The unfancied Chanderpaul is on top, that too by a mile, with an average of 65+. Saleem Malik and Sobers are in the next two positions. Steve Waugh and Laxman complete the top-5.

Batting position: # 7 (minimum 1500 runs)          

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs   Avge   % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.Gilchrist A.C    Aus  6.72  5570  100  15  3948  46.45  70.9% 5.5% ahead
 2.Cairns C.L       Nzl  7.06  3320   40   0  1761  44.03  53.0%
 3.Knott A.P.E      Eng  6.85  4389   81  11  2870  41.00  65.4%
 4.McCullum B.B     Nzl  6.52  2862   46   3  1730  40.23  60.4%
 5.Imran Khan       Pak  7.06  3807   63  10  1845  34.81  48.5%
 6.Dujon P.J.L      Win  6.61  3322   69   6  2113  33.54  63.6%
 7.Flintoff A       Eng  6.48  3845   54   3  1645  32.25  42.8%
 8.Jacobs R.D       Win  7.05  2579   86  19  2087  31.15  80.9%
 9.Kapil Dev N      Ind  7.23  5248   98   6  2861  31.10  54.5%
10.Healy I.A        Aus  7.09  4356  121  11  3041  27.65  69.8%
11.Boucher M.V      Saf  7.18  5068  111   9  2746  26.92  54.2%
12.Marsh R.W        Aus  6.91  3633  123   9  3009  26.39  82.8%

In addition to scoring quickly Gilchrist posted an outstanding 46+ average in this key position dominated by wicket-keepers and all-rounders. Chris Cairns comes in next, followed by two top-class wk-batsmen, Knott and McCullum. Imran Khan completes the top 5.

Batting position: # 8 (minimum 1000 runs)

No Batsman          Cty  BPA  Total Inns  No  Runs  Avge    % of
                               Runs                        Total

 1.Vettori D.L      Nzl  8.22  3962   60  11  2072  42.29  52.3% 17.9% ahead
 2.Boucher M.V      Saf  7.18  5068   41   9  1148  35.88  22.7%
 3.Kapil Dev N      Ind  7.23  5248   58   5  1777  33.53  33.9%
 4.Pollock S.M      Saf  7.70  3781   79  21  1796  30.97  47.5%
 5.Kirmani S.M.H    Ind  7.73  2759   43   7  1030  28.61  37.3%
 6.Hadlee R.J       Nzl  7.81  3124   53   8  1235  27.44  39.5%
 7.Vaas WPUJC       Slk  8.09  3087   98  22  1913  25.17  62.0%
 8.Wasim Akram      Pak  8.14  2898   63   6  1353  23.74  46.7%
 9.Marshall M.D     Win  8.03  1810   75  10  1365  21.00  75.4%
10.Kumble A         Ind  8.33  2506   80  15  1265  19.46  50.5%
11.Warne S.K        Aus  8.29  3154  113   8  2005  19.10  63.6%

The growing stature of Vettori not just as an all-rounder but a batsmen who would not have been out of place at # 6 is confirmed by this placement. He is ahead of Boucher by a huge 18%. Kapil Dev and Pollock come in next, followed by Kirmani.

The batsmen with the highest average for each batting position are given below. This is not a bad side with a batting average of 64.75. Chanderpaul has earned his position here. I know readers are waiting to say "how can you not have xyz", "how stupid are you are to ignore abc", "are you mad" etc. I have merely compiled the top batsmen for each batting position, that is all.

Still, just for the sake of argument, if you add Warne/Marshall/Hadlee/Barnes or Murali/Holding/Lillee/Garner or Akram/Grimmett/Ambrose/McGrath to this collection of 7, this team will take some beating.

 1.Sutcliffe H      Eng  4522  61.11
 2.Hutton L         Eng  6721  56.48 (??? Hobbs with 5130 @ 56.37)
 3.Bradman D.G      Aus  5078 103.63
 4.EdeC Weekes      Win  3372  63.62
 5.Waugh S.R        Aus  6754  56.28
 6.Chanderpaul S    Win  2235  65.74 (??? Sobers with 2614 @ 53.35)
 7.Gilchrist A.C    Aus  3948  46.45

Since I felt that nos 9-10-11 analysis would not lead to anything significant I have not done the analysis for these positions.

There is no equivalent of the ODI Index for Test matches. Balls faced has to be extrapolated and that seems inappropriate for this analysis.

To view/down-load the complete tables, please click/right-click here.

Malcolm Marshall: 32 wickets in five Tests a an average of 17.18 © Getty Images

An intriguing title to an article radically different from my normal analytical efforts. I can assure the readers that they would not be disappointed.

During early 1990s we had developed a series of complex and unique Test and ODI simulation systems. We had simulated for Sportstar a ODI World Cup. We had also conducted an inter-school tournament between the top schools letting the children captain various teams. Also we had done some innovative pre-match simulation of the matches during the 1999 World Cup.

During 2002, I undertook a very different and unusual exercise with Times of London, in conjunction with Wisden On-line. This was to simulate a series of 5 Tests between an all-time England XI and all-time World XI. For various logical reasons we restricted ourselves to the post-war players. These matches were to be played at Lord's, Bridgetown, Cape Town, SCG and Calcutta. The two teams were selected by Christopher Martin-Jenkins with inputs from us. The actual simulation was done in Bangalore over a few days. The results were published in London times, with comments by Steven Lynch, between 26 July 2002 and 3 August 2002.

Since most readers might not have seen these articles, I felt I ought to do an article on this unique exercise. In the first part I talked about the simulation methodology and the teams which were selected. In the second part I will cover the actual "Test" match scores and the original match reports as sent by us to London Times. I am sure the readers would find these worthwhile to peruse.

In the first part, I had laid the foundation of this unique Test series. In this follow-up article I have given the scorecards and match reports.

First Test: played at Lord's, London (ROW won by six wickets)

England Post-war XI: First  innings - 
  292 (Hutton 129*, May 89, Marshall 5/46)
R O W   Post-war XI: First  innings - 
  440 (V Richards 85, Lara 75, Tendulkar 59, Gichrist 95*, Statham 4/86, Underwood 4/84)
England Post-war XI: Second innings - 
  302 (Hutton 136, Cowdrey 63, Warne 5/84, Muralitharan 4/74)
R O W   Post-war XI: Second innings - 
  156/4 (Gavaskar 57*)

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes. This applies to all jpg files. It is suggested that readers download the files and peruse at leisure.

To view the scanned match report properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Alternately, to view the match report in browser-friendly html format, please click here.

Second Test: played at Bridgetown, Barbados (England won by 43 runs)

England Post-war XI: First  innings
  308 (May 92*, Botham 73, Marshall 4/67, Lillee 4/79)
R O W   Post-war XI: First  innings
  339 (V Richards 103, Lara 50, Trueman 3/70, Statham 4/60)  
England Post-war XI: Second innings
  299 (Botham 101*, Dexter 46, Marshall 6/81)
R O W   Post-war XI: Second innings
  223 (B Richards 62, Sobers 53*, Trueman 3/46, Statham 4/57).

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes.

To view the scanned match report properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Alternately, to view the match report in browser-friendly html format, please click here.

Third Test: played at Cape town, South Africa (ROW won by 55 runs)

R O W   Post-war XI: First  innings
  485 (Gavaskar 145, Lara 75, Sobers 89*, Gilchrist 66)
England Post-war XI: First  innings
  150 (Hutton 48, Marshall 4/30, Warne 5/35) 
R O W   Post-war XI: Second innings
  150 for 3 decl (Gavaskar 57*)
England Post-war XI: Second innings\
  430 (Hutton 113, Gooch 104, May 64, Muralitharan 5/118).

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes.

To view the scanned match report properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Alternately, to view the match report in browser-friendly html format, please click here.

Fourth Test: played at SCG, Sydney (England won by 5 wickets)

R O W   Post-war XI: First  innings
  242 (B Richards 72, V Richards 74, Underwood 3/34, Laker 3/26)
England Post-war XI: First  innings
  429 (Hutton 182, Dexter 82, May 69, Murali 5.91, Warne 4/91)
R O W   Post-war XI: Second innings
  261 (B Richards 53, Lara 84, Botham 4/74)
England Post-war XI: Second innings
  76 for 5 (Marshall 5/33).

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes. Pl note that this scanning has been done off the original newspaper.

To view the scanned match report properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Alternately, to view the match report in browser-friendly html format, please click here.

Fifth Test: played at Calcutta, India (ROW won by an innings and 52 runs)

England Post-war XI: First  innings
   282 (Dexter 132, Marshall 3/56, Lillee 3/66, Sobers 3/64)
R O W   Post-war XI: First  innings
   616 for 4 decl (Tendulkar 200*, Lara 106, Sobers 102*)
England Post-war XI: Second innings
   282 (Hutton 56, May 102, Marshall 3/71, Muralitharan 3/40).

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes.

To view the scanned match report properly, please right-click here and download the file.

Alternately, to view the match report in browser-friendly html format, please click here.

In addition to the five Test series, a one-off "Test" was played between the team selected by a lucky reader (P.J.Mickleburgh) and an eleven selected by Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

To view the scanned scorecard properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes.

A statistical summary:

Runs scored:      Hutton scored 744 runs.
Batting average:  Hutton's average was a Bradman-like 93.0.
Wickets captured: Marshall captured 32 wickets.
Bowling average:  Marshall's bowling average was a miserly 17.18.
Hundreds:         Hutton scored 4 hundreds.
Four-wkt hauls:   Marshall had 5 four-wkt hauls.
Highest score:    Tendulkar's unbeaten 200 in the last Test.
Best bowling:     Marshall's 6 for 81 although his devastating
                  spell of 5 for 33 when England needed only 76 to win 
                  probably the bowling performance of the series.

Summing up this has been a Hutton-Marshall dominated series.

To view all five scorecards/simulation reports, please click/right-click here and view/download the file. Viewing on the browser may be fine since this is only a MS Word file.

Download this document and read the simulation reports at leisure. You will get a clear insight into the rationale behind the game development and the way it is played. Do not miss the last bit of the fourth Test where England chases 76 to win and almost comes a cropper due to wrong strategy adopted by the simulation captain.

Many readers have expressed their surprise at the non-inclusion of Barrington. If the readers peruse the simulation reports carefully, they will notice this sentiment expressed in more than one place. I myself was quite surprised at the preference of Cowdrey, no more than competent, to Barrington, among the best of defensive batsmen.

The final image. To view the scanned Player selection report of CM-J properly, please right-click here and download the file. Viewing on the browser may not be clear since most browsers reduce the picture sizes.

Truly this was a series for the Gods. If these teams were made into all-time XIs, Bradman, Barnes SF and Hammond might have replaced B Richards, Statham and Cowdrey. My hunch is that that team, immeasurably strengthened with the arrival of the great man himself, would probably win 4-1. Possibly not. Who knows, Barnes was well-nigh unplayable on many pitches and Hammond has a 14-run lead over Cowdrey.

Even in this series the presence of Barrington might (or might not) have tilted the scales. Readers must remember that if Barrington was playing, the role-playing captains might have attempted alternate strategies.

A few people have asked whether some simulation exercise can be done now. Unfortunately the programs were kept in cold storage in 2002. The database was also a manually created one since I was not able to link the simulation with my established and dynamic database in 2002, mainly because of time constraints. That exercise is a massive one, as also the one of fine tuning the simulation to fit in with today's 75+% result and 3.5+ rpo Test environment. I promise I will do it one day. At least let me see whether I can wake the Simulation suite of programs from their Rip van Winkle-like slumber.

Again let me re-assure the readers that this is not an attempt to plug any of our company products since I have nothing to sell, no products, no services, nothing !!! I have been driven by nostalgia and the need to share unique experiences with enlightened readers.

An intriguing title to an article radically different from my normal analytical efforts. I can assure the readers that they would not be disappointed.

During early 1990s we had developed a series of complex and unique Test and ODI simulation systems. We had simulated for Sportstar an ODI World Cup. We had also conducted an inter-school tournament between the top schools, letting the children captain various teams. Also we had done some innovative pre-match simulation of the matches during the 1999 World Cup.

During 2002, I undertook a very different and unusual exercise with Times of London, in conjunction with Wisden Online. This was to simulate a series of 5 Tests between an all-time England XI and all-time World XI. For various logical reasons we restricted ourselves to the post-war players. These matches were to be played at Lord's, SCG, Bridgetown, Cape Town and Calcutta. The two teams were selected by Christopher Martin-Jenkins with inputs from us. The actual simulation was done in Bangalore over a few days.

The results were published in London Times, with comments by Steven Lynch, between 26 July 2002 and 3 August 2002. The published scorecards will be scanned and shown in the next article.

Since most readers might not have seen these articles, I felt I ought to do an article on this unique exercise. In the first part I will talk about the simulation methodology and the teams which were selected. In the second part I will cover the actual "Test" match scores and the original match reports as sent by us to London Times. I am sure the readers would find these worthwhile to peruse.

SIMULATION METHODOLOGY:

1. Player Data:

The actual career data of the player concerned is used. The following figures are part of the Player data. Readers should remember that I have lot more data available now than during 2002.

- No of Tests
- Career years span
- Type of batsman (Opening/EMO/LMO/Tail) 
- Runs scored
- Batting average
- Highest score
- No of 100s & overall pattern of 100s
- Catches/Stumpings
- Type of bowler (Fast/FM/M/SLA/OB/LBG/LAC)
- No of balls bowled
- Runs conceded
- Wickets taken
- Bowling average
- Bowling RPO
- Bowling strike rate.

Certain other data is derived from the player career figures and perusal of scorecards. The derived data explained below.

- Innings Size index: The ability of the player to play long innings. Bradman and Zaheer (and now Lara/Sehwag) converted most of their 100s into big scores. Not Lamb, Mark Waugh or M.Amarnath.
- Expected balls per innings: The average number of balls expected to be faced by the player. Highest is Bradman with 175 balls.
- Expected runs per ball: Ranges from .75 for Jessop/Gilchrist to .2 for strokeless wonders. Product of above two generally works out to the Career average.
- Strokeplay index: How far can the batsman be moved into attacking situations. Ranges from 6 for Bradman/Jessop to 1 for C'Shekhar/Malcolm.
- Defensive index: How far can the batsman be moved into match saving situations. Ranges from 5 for Gavaskar/Atherton to 1 for C'Shekhar/Malcolm.
- Bad wicket technique: High for Hobbs/Gavaskar and low for Srikkanth/Smith.
- Adjustment factor: Provide for Trumper et al scoring runs on uncovered wickets.
- Fielding index: Gives an indication of the quality of players' ground fielding. Highest index is 5 for Constantine/Bland/Randall and Rhodes.
- Bowling type: Type of bowler – Attacking, Normal or Defensive.
- Variation index: Ability to vary the deliveries. Hadlee/Grimmett/Warne high.
- Effectivity index: Ability to use atmospheric conditions for Fast/Medium bowlers and ability to flight for spinners. Prasanna/Murali high and Emburey low.
- Fielding: Team's Run-saving based on Fielding Index. Catching ability on average catches per match (Hammond/Solkar/Mark Waugh fairly high).

2. Ground Data :

Around the world, all test playing grounds including Sharjah have been included. Each ground has 6 index values.

- The support to Fast Bowlers (On a scale of 1 to 5)
- The support to Medium Pace Bowlers (On a scale of 1 to 5)
- The support to Spin Bowlers (On a scale of 1 to 5)
- A Run-Index for the ground (On a scale of 5 to 25). These have been built based on an article which appeared in Sportstar during the early 90s and have been updated since.
- Rain Index : Ranges from 5 for Manchester (almost every match will be affected by rain) to Sydney (almost always sunny).
- Close of play Index : Ranges from 4 for UK Grounds (Good chance of 2 Hours after Close of Play) to 1 for Calcutta (virtually no chance of extension of play). This factor has an impact on the number of overs bowled during the day.

3. Current Form :

This is randomised by the Computer for each player. The form index ranges from 4 (In Great form) to 1 (In poor form). Each block of 50 balls safely negotiated by the player will improve his form. The captain has to take into account the form and shepherd his players through poor form phases.

4. Rain

Rain is an integral part of the game, especially if a match is played at Manchester, Galle or Port of Spain. The concept of rain is built into the game depending on the ground rain index. Complex calculations determine the occurrence and duration of rain. It is also possible that matches take place without any occurrence of rain.

5. Simulation :

The match is, in reality, between two external captains who have at their disposal the players as resources. They are responsible for all actions including team selection, batting orders, strategies and fine tuning of plays.

The simulation is a complex process. Each ball is a mini-match and the complete match consists of x such mini-matches. For each ball, a total of no less than 30 randomising decisions are taken to decide on the outcome of ball. Some of the factors depend on the quality of the players involved, some on the match situation and some on the decisions taken by the two non-playing captains. These are briefly described below.

- The characteristics of the batsman who is batting. 13 factors are used.
- His form at the start of innings.
- How long has he been batting. Form improves as he settles down but he will get tired.
- The characteristics of the bowler who bowls the ball. 11 factors are used.
- What is the bowler type (See note below).
- His form at the start of the innings.
- How long is his current spell, breaks taken care of. Fast bowlers lose some effectiveness after 10, Medium after 15 and Spinners after 20 overs. - What is the condition of the ball, how old is the same.
- What is the time of day. Early mornings will favour seamers.
- Ground characteristics, both in terms of support to bowler type and run getting index.
- What is the average of the fielding index of the team. This will have an impact on the runs taken by the batsman.
- What is the average of the catching index of the team. This will have a slight impact on the wicket falling scenario.
- What is the bowling strategy. The fielding captain will be allowed to select one of 8 bowling strategies (ranging from completely wicket-taking (8 fielders near the bat) all-out defence (all at the boundary)) for both the bowlers. He/she has to take into account the match situation, ball situation, bowler bowling the current over and the specific skills of the batsman. The strategies can vary between the two bowlers. These can be changed at any time.
- What is the batting strategy. The batting captain will be allowed to select one of 5 batting strategies (ranging from all-out attack to all-out defence) for both the batsmen. He/she has to take into account the match situation, ball situation, bowler bowling the current over and the specific skills of the batsman. Nothing will be gained by asking Atherton to attack or Jessop to defend. The strategies can vary between the two batsmen. These can be changed at any time.
- What is the innings status. A number of factors are used in this.
- Is there a Run control option in force. This is mainly to let a senior batsman control the strike when batting with a tail-ender. Runs will be declined during early part of the over and odd number of runs will be attempted during later part.

Note: Only Sobers has bowled at the top level with equal effectiveness as a seam bowler and a spinner. So only for Sobers will the captain be asked at the beginning of each over as to what type of bowling he wants Sobers to do.

The Captain, whose role is a combination of on-field captain and off-field coach, has to use his resources very effectively. He should make his bowling changes with care, give his bowlers required rest, plan his strategies sharply, decide on how to optimise the resources at his disposal, especially outstanding resources such as Bradman et al.

6. Teams selected:

The two teams which were selected are given below. Since each team had two outstanding fast bowlers, two great spinners and a top all-rounder, it was decided that the same team would play in all 5 locations.

All-time Post-war England XI

    Hutton
    Gooch
    Dexter
    May
    Cowdrey
    Botham
    Knott (wk)
    Laker
    Underwood
    Trueman
    Statham
    12th man: Randall

All-time Post-war World XI

    Gavaskar
    Richards B A
    Richards I V A
    Lara
    Tendulkar
    Sobers
    Gilchrist (wk)
    Warne
    Marshall
    Muralitharan
    Lillee
    12th man: Rhodes

It is gratifying to see that the World XI is a time-less one in that if I were to select one today, I may not make a single change. Ponting for Barry Richards perhaps, maybe not, since opening is a specialist position. I would dearly love to have Wasim Akram, but at whose expense ???

As far as the England team is concerned, maybe the same holds good. Possibly Pietersen for Cowdrey.

In addition to the five Test series, a one-off "Test" was played between the team selected by a lucky reader (P.J.Mickleburgh) and an eleven selected by Christopher Martin-Jenkins.

The second part will follow within a few days. This will contain all six scorecards and reports.

Finally let me assure the readers that this is not an attempt to plug any of our company products, as insinuated by couple of readers earlier, possibly when their favourite player was positioned below the top. I have nothing to sell, no products, no services, nothing !!!