Seam bowling/batting all-rounders have mostly enjoyed playing in English conditions.
There is always something on offer for those who can swing the ball or those who embrace the holding job while the front-line seamers are taking a breather.
It is an even more beautiful cricket spectacle when those workhorses are able to manufacture match-winning knocks either by playing time or taking initiative by swatting the ball around.
It’s a captain’s dream to have players of such rare quality.
I’m not referring to the bits and pieces ones like Ravi Bopara or Dwayne Smith but the more naturally gifted talisman who produces whirlwind performances that consume the memory bank whenever a debate about world-class all-rounders comes up.
And for that reason, there is great anticipation surrounding the Jason Holder versus Ben Stokes battle when West Indies take on England in a three-match test series beginning in a few weeks’ time.
But before I get to my predictions on just how the two will perform, let’s remind you of some of the great all-round performances on English soil.
West Indian legend Sir Garfield Sobers tops the list after his aristocratic performances during the 1966 West Indies tour of England where he scored 722 runs at an average of 103 while taking 20 wickets.
Sir Ian Botham’s herculean effort during the 1981 Ashes in England is also a much-revered piece of cricketing history after scoring 399 runs, only Allan Border (533) scored more. Botham with the ball snared 34 wickets, behind Australian duo Terry Alderman (42) and Dennis Lillee (39). England went on to have a memorable 3-1 series win on the back of Botham’s brilliance.
But those performances, for obvious reasons, never really captured my cricketing interest as much as Andrew ‘Freddy’ Flintoff did in 2005 when he hammered 402 runs while exposing the Australians susceptibilities to the reverse swinging balls. Freddy had 24 scalps. His performances led England to that famous 2-1 series win over a rampant Australian side.
I can go on to list a few more names but I think the point has been made; if you’re good enough as an all-rounder then England will certainly suit your craft. It is because of this reason a teasing setting has been laid for Holder and Stokes to go up against each other and I hope it turns out to be a thriller. Test cricket needs it. Certainly, sports, in general, could do with that sort of excitement.
On pure optics, Holder has the pedigree to match Stokes. They are quite similar. Their test records aren’t too far apart with both men currently ranked number one and two respectively on the ICC MRF all-rounder’s ranking list. Holder after 40 test matches, has scored 1898 runs with a best of 202 – against England – at an average of 32.72. Stokes, on the other hand, has 4056 runs after 63 matches. He too averages in the mid-30s. On the bowling side, Holder has 106 wickets while Stokes has 41 more.
It must be said though that Holder on his previous tour of England in 2017, didn’t fare all that well and should be looking to improve his numbers. From the three matches he played, he took eight wickets with a best of 4-54 while scoring 86. His highest was 43.
Nevertheless, an ideal cricketing setting is prearranged for two of the world’s best performers to build on their country’s rich history and to carve out historical memories of their own.
