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Botham, Flintoff, Stokes.
- Thread starter Anthly
- Start date
Anthly
Central Defender
Not serious, just a bit of fun.
Poor Fred. Here's a category for him
Best Pedalo Captain - Flintoff
Best Pedalo Captain - Flintoff
Would be interesting if T20 had of been around then, how would Botham have got on?
The Breen Machine
Striker
Won't be a popular view but I am of the view that Flintoff shouldn't even be in the discussion.
Fantastic 2005 series and was a top class all-rounder for 12 months leading up to that, but his career before and after that was largely forgettable.
After about 70 tests, Botham averaged nigh on 40 with the bat and 21 with the ball. His career tailed off badly in the late 80's but had the England team been stronger, he probably wouldn't have been getting picked by then.
Stokes is the better bat, Botham the better bowler and fielding probably on par. Botham was the biggest sports star in the country at his peak and front page news. I edge with him overall.
Fantastic 2005 series and was a top class all-rounder for 12 months leading up to that, but his career before and after that was largely forgettable.
After about 70 tests, Botham averaged nigh on 40 with the bat and 21 with the ball. His career tailed off badly in the late 80's but had the England team been stronger, he probably wouldn't have been getting picked by then.
Stokes is the better bat, Botham the better bowler and fielding probably on par. Botham was the biggest sports star in the country at his peak and front page news. I edge with him overall.
YES WE GYAN
Striker
Stokes is the best batter of the 3, but otherwise agree with the rest.
Based on the strength of the opposition they had to face, Beefy was the comfortably the best.
Best drinker : Sir Ian with Freddie 2nd
I'd probably have Stokes as best batsman tbh, he's excellent technically, can play all types of innings and go through the gears seemingly at will, although tbf I never saw Botham play.
I'd probably have Stokes as best batsman tbh, he's excellent technically, can play all types of innings and go through the gears seemingly at will, although tbf I never saw Botham play.
MustardAndOnions
Winger
Stokes is a much better batsman than Botham mind
Thunder Road
Midfield
Think if Flintoff didn't struggle with mental health issues and/or had the help people are offered now would have been a world class all rounder for most of his test career.
For the latter part of his international career Flintoffs batting was mediocre and he ended up a bowler who could chip in a few runs rather than an all rounder.
MustardAndOnions
Winger
Flintoff was a brilliant bowler like, you can’t just go off stats like. He never got the new ball, always the old one, always bowled the donkey overs. 90mph bowler who got wickets when it was flat flat
Stokes is similar in that regard, if he’d been given new ball he’d have taken shed loads aw he’s a good swing bowler
Stokes when he retires his stats won’t stand out if you just go on average, but he’s won more games for England than anyone. I’ve never seen a more selfless cricketer than Ben stokes, at any level
The Breen Machine
Striker
Definitely can't go off stats alone but his "peak" was a much briefer period than that of the others. Stokes is an underrated bowler if anything as he's usually been more heavily utilized in difficult circumstances so tends to bowl with less in his favour.
MustardAndOnions
Winger
Yeah defs a smaller peak I agree. He could have done that for longer if his knee didn’t pack up.
Agree on stokes aye. He could have opened the bowler for England in my opinion in his younger days
Cape Town was a good example of what he morphed into, still our best bowler in those conditions
This, I’ve never been a fan of these sort of comparisons in any sport. I’d rather just appreciate and enjoy the excellence of each player in their own way.
Stokes before Botham as a bat, otherwise I agree.
seaham ftm
Winger
If you had to pick only one for an XI it would have to be Stokes imo. I don’t think you can accurately compare eras at all though. Mediocre footballers today would be world beaters 20 years ago.
CollingwoodFTM
Striker
Botham for me.
He would have been selected for England as a batsman or a bowler. I’m not sure either Flintoff or Stokes could claim that.
These things are never easy or fair TBH. Let’s just appreciate their cricket.
He would have been selected for England as a batsman or a bowler. I’m not sure either Flintoff or Stokes could claim that.
These things are never easy or fair TBH. Let’s just appreciate their cricket.
