As David Warner reaches the final stages of his career, the accolades are flying thick and fast with the latest plaudit coming from Pat Cummins, calling the opener Australia’s best three-format batter of all time.
T20s have only been around at international level for a little more than 15 years so it makes it a tight timeframe from the get-go when you are deciding who is Australia’s best all-format player.
And if you throw in the standard statistical caveat that a player has to have played at least 20 matches in a format to qualify, then there have been only 32 who have hit that benchmark in the T20I arena for Australia.
Many of them were white-ball specialists who played little to no Test cricket so you can wipe out the likes of Aaron Finch, Shaun Tait, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa, Andrew Tye and David Hussey.
A best three-format XI on that basis would be:
David Warner
Shane Watson
Steve Smith
Michael Clarke
Travis Head
Mitchell Marsh
Brad Haddin
Mitchell Johnson
Mitchell Starc
Pat Cummins
Brett Lee
… with no less than Josh Hazlewood, Matthew Wade and Alex Carey running the drinks.
Cummins on Tuesday said Warner had been a mainstay in all three formats for a long time, a claim that not many international cricketers can make in the modern era.
“Doing it for over a decade, I think his longevity sometimes gets overlooked. Two 50-over World cups, one T20 World Cup and all those campaigns he was front and centre, he was a big reason for it,” said Cummins.
(Photo by Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
“Then playing over a hundred Test matches puts him in an elite category in basically all three formats.
“Just his consistency and the bulk of work that he’s been able to achieve, I think he’s our greatest three-format player.”
But there’s a batter who represented Australia in only 15 T20s who has had a far superior career to Warner’s even accounting for the fact that the shortest format only came into effect in the tail end of his playing days.
Ricky Ponting dominated Test and one-day cricket to an extent where he spent years, plural, as unquestionably the top batter on the planet.
Ponting won three ODI World Cups and was an integral part of arguably the greatest Test team that has ever dominated the five-day arena.
He retired with 27,483 runs in Australian colours and while only 401 of them came from T20s, you know he would have been brilliant in the shortest form if he had given it more than a few years’ attention at the end of his career.
In the very first T20 international against New Zealand in Auckland way back in 2005 when nicknames adorned player’s shirts and Hamish Marshall teased his hair out into an afro which would have made The Hair Bear Bunch proud, Ponting turned on a masterclass of clean hitting.
He stroked an unbeaten 98 off just 55 deliveries with eight fours and five sixes to show that no matter the format, there was no risk that “Punter” was the surest bet in world cricket.
Ricky Ponting. (James Knowler/Getty Images)
Warner also has three World Cup trophies (2015 and 2023 in ODIs, plus 2021 in T20s).
Smith is the only other player in the T20 era who could lay claim to rivalling Warner and Ponting for output.
The 34-year-old NSW star has been the best Test batter of his generation but has never dominated the white-ball arena anywhere close to his red-ball supremacy.
| Ricky Ponting | David Warner | Steve Smith | |
| Tests | 168 | 111 | 104 |
| Runs | 13,378 | 8695 | 9472 |
| Tons/50s | 41/62 | 26/36 | 32/40 |
| Average | 51.85 | 44.58 | 58.11 |
| Strike rate | 58.72 | 70.26 | 53.54 |
| ODIs | 375 | 161 | 155 |
| Runs | 13,704 | 6932 | 5356 |
| Tons/50s | 30/82 | 22/33 | 12/32 |
| Average | 42.03 | 45.3 | 43.54 |
| Strike rate | 80.39 | 97.26 | 87.25 |
| T20s | 15 | 99 | 65 |
| Runs | 401 | 2894 | 1079 |
| Tons/50s | 0/2 | 1/24 | 0/5 |
| Average | 28.64 | 32.88 | 25.69 |
| Strike rate | 132.78 | 141.3 | 125.17 |
| Total runs | 27,483 | 18,521 | 15,907 |
Starc, who like Smith was a member of Australia’s three most recent World Cup wins, is someone to keep an eye on as he’s compiling an impressive record in all three formats.
He’s up to 651 scalps in international cricket and even though he will turn 34 later this month, the left-armer still has a few good years left in him even though he may shed a format or two in order to lighten his workload.
Spin king Shane Warne (1001) has Australia’s most wickets when you combine formats even though he never played a T20I with Glenn McGrath (949) and Brett Lee (718) the only others ahead of Starc.
And of course none of this will concern Warner the slightest as he prepares to pad up in a Test for the final time on his home track, the grand old Sydney Cricket Ground.
A farewell ton will lift him to 27 alongside Allan Border in eighth spot on Australia’s all-time list while twin centuries would put him into a share of seventh with Michael Clarke.
If you think Warner has been fortunate to last as long as he has in the Test team due to his on-field production, you’re right – of the 40 top run-scorers last year, he was the only specialist batter who averaged less than 30 with a mark of 28.65 from 20 innings, inflated by his sole century of 164 against Pakistan last month in Perth.
David Warner. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
In the end, his constant selection could not be blamed on him even if he did declare back in May that he hoped to play on until January if the selectors wanted him to stick around.
The true test of whether the selectors hung on too long will be revealed in the next couple of months when Australia have just four Tests against the West Indies and New Zealand to bed down a new top order before the marquee five-match series next summer against India.
There has been a bit of talk around that Warner could be booed by some sections of the ground – that may be the case but the overall goodwill at the SCG towards the polarising veteran will mean the cheers drown out any jeers.
Warner paid a heavy price for his most glaring blunder – his part in the 2018 Cape Town ball-tampering scandal when he was banned for a year and never allowed to hold a leadership position again.
For those who still hold onto that moment of madness as a reason to bear a grudge towards Warner, if they’re ever going to let it go, now is that time.
Bobbo7
Roar Rookie
Kolhi does not average 50 in Test cricket - very good but not elite. Of the Fab Four, Williamson and Root are the best all-format players.
Bobbo7
Roar Rookie
Smith is not an all format great. Struggles for a game in IPL and while a handy ODI record, is nothing special.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
They weren’t all considered meaningless at the time. His ODI record against Windies and Sri Lanka was worse than against India and SA. Their T20I records aren’t similar - Ponting is well behind. His Test average almost identical to Ponting’s. Ponting certainly ahead in Tests if you take out the first few years of his career or the last few. If you’re judging in terms quality of performance relative to opportunities given it’s silly to say Ponting was miles ahead, but I’d agree he was ahead. During the same age period (30-37) in which Hussey played, Ponting’s Test record was 77 Tests, average 49.2, 19 centuries and 35 fifties. Hussey’s was 79 Tests, average 51.2, 19 centuries and 29 fifties.
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Ponting batted at a much tougher position. Hussey ODI career is a lot of high scores in a lot of meaningless matches. He never did anything at the WC. His T20 career is short with a high score of 60. His Test career harder to judge I probably forgot how good he was, but nowhere near Ponting or Smith. Ponting team contribution is miles ahead in Tests & ODI. Their T20 recrods are similar neither played in a winning World Cup. So Punter is miles ahead even if Huss was great at getting centuries in bilateral ODI against the West Indies & Sri Lanka.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Good point about length of career. Not because Hussey “only” played 8 years (79 Tests and no less than 185 ODIs) but because, as I suggested above, Ponting’s averages would look a lot better if we focused on a long peak of 8-10 years. Otherwise, you can hardly blame Hussey for the low points of the team in 2008-12. He averaged 59 against England and 49 against India in Tests. Averaged 56 in 2008-09 in India and easily topped the averages in the losing Ashes series in 2010-11. Had a great pair of series against SA in 2005-06, also in 2012. You can put some of the “blame” for Australia’s low period on Ponting’s decline, although it was more about the departure of players like McGrath, Warne, Gillespie, Hayden and Langer. Hussey did have a couple of poor World Cups but he was Australia’s best in many series and as I noted, has the second best career figures after Bevan, when adjusted for era (better than Bevan if not adjusted.) Bevan had a poor Test career so doesn’t enter the conversation. Hussey not only leads the batting impact figures for Australia in T20Is, despite only playing in the early years, he is the only Australian in the top 10 at 6th - the five above him all started after he retired.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Really good points, thanks Dave. I don't have any issues with him not being in the mix, as long as he at least gets thought about and his claims looked at in an analytical manner. PS he'd have killed T20 cricket IMO
Micko
Roar Rookie
You obviously didn't watch much cricket! :cricket:
Gilberto
Roar Rookie
Except what did the team achieve thanks to Hussey who only played 2005-2012 compared to Ponting 1997-2012. Hussey was part of 2007 WC win. Failed wc in 2011. 3 ashes series, 1 win 2 losses. So so test series records against India and SA. Didn't win a t20 wc. Ponting, Smith, Bevan more impactful. Head maybe had more impact just in 2023
Save_the_Earth
Roar Rookie
Everyone needs to pull their heads out of the sand. on what basis Steve Smith is mentioned in this column. his numbers are just pathetic in T20I's. they read 25 avg and 125 strike rate.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Hussey- 1st in T20s, 2nd in ODIs using Batting Impact rating combining average and strike rate explained here (https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/12/03/paper-giants-how-to-rank-the-best-ever-odi-batsmen/). Sixth in batting averages all time. Ahead of Warner in all three formats, though Warner has had a much longer career. Our best ranked ODI bowlers using similar method are McGrath, Alderman, Bracken, Lillee, Rackemann, Starc, Lee and Hazlewood.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Mike Hussey. He ranks first for Australia in white Batting Impact combining average and strike rate in T20s, 2nd in ODIs (and 6th all time worldwide) and has our 6th best Test average (min. 30 Tests). See my separate comment above with relevant white ball comments.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
Hi BG. Gilly obviously had great T20 potential but his average of 23 too low if you use the white ball Batting Impact rating I outlined in this article: (https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/12/03/paper-giants-how-to-rank-the-best-ever-odi-batsmen/). He would rank 18th in fact. See above for my comment setting our top ten in ODI and T20. I suggest Hussey, in fact, has the best multi-format record, looking at total careers.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
I did an analysis of ODI players comparing across the decades using a stat that combines averages and strike rate: (https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/12/03/paper-giants-how-to-rank-the-best-ever-odi-batsmen/) Ponting was only 9th looking at his whole career. Hussey 2nd and ranks no.1 in T20Is applying the same method. Smith outside the top 10 in both. Warner 8th in ODIs and 3rd in T20s for players with a minimum of 20 matches.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
If we use the method for assessing ODI and T20 Batting Impact (combining average and strike rate) explained in this article (https://www.theroar.com.au/2023/12/03/paper-giants-how-to-rank-the-best-ever-odi-batsmen/), there is a strong case for Mike Hussey as our best all format player: 6th in Test averages, 2nd in ODI batting impact and 1st in T20I batting impact. Ponting is 4th, 9th and 12th respectively, and only 0.3 ahead of Hussey in Test averages. There’s a case for putting Greg Chappell above Ponting among players with minimal T20 output. Warner shades Smith across the three formats. But Ponting looks a lot better if we just take his top ten years in Tests and ODIs (basically 2000-2009). ICC rankings might be another way to compare players (Ponting was only ranked number one in 2006-07 in Tests, and for a few months each in 2005 and 2008 in ODIs). The top Australians in ODI Batting Impact have been: 1. Michael Bevan 2. Mike Hussey 3. Greg Chappell 4. Andrew Symonds 5. Matthew Hayden 6. Dean Jones 7. Adam Gilchrist 8. David Warner 9. Ricky Ponting 10. Shane Watson Smith is 14th. Batting Impact in T20 internationals (minimum 15 matches to include Ponting): 1. Mike Hussey 2. Aaron Finch 3. Josh Inglis 4. David Warner 5. Glenn Maxwell 6. Mitch Marsh 7. Marcus Stoinis 8. Cameron White 9. Travis Head 10. Shane Watson Ponting is 12th and Smith is 13th. The top ten in batting average (min 30 matches) are: 1. Bradman, 2. Smith, 3. G Chappell, 4. Ponting, 5. Labuschagne, 6. Hussey, 7. Waugh, 8. Hayden, 9. Border, 10. Clarke. Warner is now 26th.
PeteB
Roar Rookie
Of course Ponting would have been a much better multiformat player along with a few others from his era. But they really didn’t get to play enough T20 to qualify.
NQR
Roar Rookie
I’ve always referred to Test cricket as the pinnacle of a cricketer’s true ability. The shorter the format the more even the contest between skill and results. What the stats show is Warner is less effective over a longer period? In other words he’s a slogger and probably not as consistent especially under difficult conditions or against quality high level bowling? Opening the bat certainly favourers a batsman’s average also and even more so in the shorter formats. Fielding restrictions, bowling constraints and maximum opportunity of deliveries to be bowled. Watson, Marssh and even Maxwell provide proof of this IMO. Anyway bowlers and fielders have the biggest impact on cricket match results.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Why would CA institute a greater ban than the governing body? In what sport in the world would a team ban a player for life when the governing body imposed a one game ban?
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
Comparing one day batting records is always problematic given the flatness of the wickets increasing every decade. Ponting played a lot of one dayers in the harder 90's. Steve Smith is obviously not a multi format player and he has been lucky to be in the T20 side. The real list should be T20 Player Span Mat Inns NO Runs HS AveDescending BF SR 100 50 0 4s 6s ML Hayden 2005-2007 9 9 3 308 73* 51.33 214 143.92 0 4 0 37 13 A Symonds 2005-2009 14 11 4 337 85* 48.14 199 169.34 0 2 2 33 10 AC Voges 2007-2013 7 5 2 139 51 46.33 114 121.92 0 1 0 8 2 MEK Hussey 2005-2012 38 30 11 721 60* 37.94 529 136.29 0 4 1 58 25 One day Player Span Mat Inns NO Runs HS AveDescending BF SR 100 50 0 MEK Hussey 2004-2012 185 157 44 5442 109* 48.15 6243 87.16 3 39 3 AC Voges 2007-2013 31 28 9 870 112* 45.78 998 87.17 1 4 0 ML Hayden 1993-2008 160 154 15 6131 181* 44.10 7762 78.98 10 36 9 A Symonds 1998-2009 198 161 33 5088 156 39.75 5504 92.44 6 30 15 Test Player Span Mat Inns NO Runs HS AveDescending 100 50 0 4s 6s AC Voges 2015-2016 20 31 7 1485 269* 61.87 5 4 2 186 5 MEK Hussey 2005-2013 79 137 16 6235 195 51.52 19 29 12 685 39 ML Hayden 1994-2009 103 184 14 8625 380 50.73 30 29 14 1049 82 A Symonds 2004-2008 26 41 5 1462 162* 40.61 2 10 4 154 28 if you go for averages Voges is top but his 120 strike rate in T20 is no good. Symonds with the best strike rates.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
Interesting there's no mention of Adam Gilchrist in this discussion. He too only played a handful of T20's, but a strike rate of 141.66, coupled with his other achievements in Tests and ODIs surely makes him a strong candidate. He'd certainly be in my "best of 3 format" Aussie XI
Dodgy brothers
Roar Rookie
He's been a mainstay of all 3 teams for so long, he's no1 or no2 with Warner. Cummins is close and Watson is underrated imo.