Sorry to but in on this self congratulational slugfest but the best batsman in the world at the moment has to be Michael Vaughan. Averaging slightly over 50 in his career he scored 633 runs in the recent Ashes (our urn) series at an average of 63.3. In addition he scored seven (that's SEVEN) test centuries during 2002.

Who's "dementional" know ;) :D .

The latest test rankings updated at Jan 6 has Vaughan at 2 (hmm, another ranking system has him at 6) and Hayden at 1 - the ODI rankings have Hayden at 1 and Vaughan at DNB (well, outside the top ten anyway).

And to finally crush the argument (not like you to miss geting the facts right me old matey ;) ) :

Hmmm - just checked the list of all 100's scored in the calender year and your bloke is only credited with six - that's SIX (or if you are from the "shakies" SEX) centuries for Vaughan.

So looking at that, Vaughan got his centuries in 26 innings - a century every 4.3 innings batted. Big Matty got his 6 (note - that number keeps cropping up doesn't it) centuries in 17 innings, or an average of 2.8 innins per ton.

Mike got more runs - but he played more matches, and his team failed more often so he had more "at bats". I suppose I could point out that Matt had more 50's as well, and that there are two more nasty Aussies rated above Mikey on the 2002 averages - but that would just be rubbing salt into the gaping wound .

[img]graemlins/shine.gif[/img]

C'mon Donut - I know you are out there - just wanting to hear your interpretation of the statistics [img]smile.gif[/img]

Well bugger me - he's got me on a technicality! Vaughan scored his 7th century in Sydney on the 4th January 2003.

Though it pains me to say it Davros - Hayden didn't score his runs against Shiney and Glenda! He scored them against our second string bowlers.

Huh - wah - you mean you have "first string bowlers" - when did this happen? [img]smile.gif[/img]

Not like you to make excuses either is it - that is something you usually take me to task for, isn't it - tsk tsk :D .

Still, it is like me to make excuses, and I notice that your Mr Vaughan became much more prolific when the Sheik of Tweak dislocated his shoulder and missed those last two matches.

Oh - and one last parting shot before I go rest my weary head - how is something that did not happen in a calender year a "technicality" ;) - I think the work you were searching for was "error" :D

Perhaps we should stick to the current year then:

Vaughan 183 runs at an average of 91.50
Hayden 17 runs at an average of 8.50

How do you stop them flapping long enough to hit the ball?. :D :D