[1] In Tests, stats show Bradman's way ahead of the next best: Sobers for me, Hammond for English, Viv for 70-80s followers, Tendulkar/Lara for 90-00s fans.

In ODIs, until (Lara &) Tendulkar came along Viv was that far ahead (not quite in stats) of the next best. Gap narrowed.
+ https://twitter.com/ESPNcricinfo/status/1249181798006951946

[2] Let's look at Viv in ODIs:

Career avg of 47 & a SR of 90.2 was excellent for any era.

Avgd 56.8 (SR 92.3) in away games.

Avgd 63.3 (SR 85.1) in WCs & avgd 88 (SR 89.8) across 3 WC Finals (won 2).

Viv made his ODI debut in 1975 WC; it wasn't a great start, with the bat.

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[3] But, he ran out 3 of Aus' top 4 batsmen in the Final! WI winning by just 17 runs highlighted the importance of that effort.

Viv, batting at #4, made his 1st 50 in the next ODI after the final. He was promoted to #3 next year, but only played 3 ODIs (119*, 97 & 0) in 1976.

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[4] It's worth noting that Viv made 1710 Test runs in that calendar year (1976). Imagine if more ODIs were played with Viv in that form. He had to settle for just 3 ODIs at an avg of 108.

Even worse, over the next 2 years, he only played 2 ODIs, before returning to 1979 WC.

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[5] After 2 ODIs in 2 yrs following a 108-avg in 1976, his 1979 produced an avg of 131.5 in 8 innings (incl. 138* in the WC Final)! Very few ODIs in his peak.

In fact, Viv had to wait till his 9th year in ODIs to register 10 ODI innings for the first time in a calendar year.
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[6] From 1975 WC end to Jamshedpur game in Dec 1983, {where Viv sort of avenged the 83 WC defeat with a 149 (99)}, Viv avgd 59 in 50 inn (48 inn from #3 pos). Half the games were away, avgd 74! 58 in Aus, 76 in Eng, 108 in Ind & 40 in Pak.

Imagine 8+ PEAK yrs with only 50 inn!
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[7] A similar 8-yr period from ~mid 1995 to 2003 end for Tendulkar yielded 9.8k runs at 49 in 220 innings.

Similar streak from ~mid 2011 to 2019 end for Kohli produced 9.7k runs at 64 in 182 inn.

Viv played just ¼ number of innings SRT or VK played in their respective peaks!

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[8] As Viv stepped down from #3 & WI started playing a decent number of ODIs in the mid 1980s, Viv managed a couple of great yrs towards the end of his peak, with some outrageous innings like THAT 189*.

Mid 1986 was the end of his prime, as he avgd just 34 in the last 4+ yrs.

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[9] Re-capturing the 11 glorious years from ~mid 1975 to ~mid 1986:

104 ODIs, 95 inn, 18 n.o., 4562 runs at 59.24 (SR 91.34).

Only 4 other men had 2.5k runs. Check their avg & SR in particular to put this in perspective.

Not impressed? Let's check out the away stats! ;)

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[10] Away stats for those with 500+ AWAY ODI runs during Viv's 10-11 year prime:

Viv 2761 runs at an avg of 72.65 & SR of 92.9!

7 tons & 19 fifties in 48 inn (10 n.o.).

Next best avg: Vengsarker 40.79 (SR 70.27) &
Next best SR: Clive Lloyd 80.55 (avg 40.1 but no centuries).

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[11] From aforesaid 10-11 yr period, the breakdown of the stunning AWAY stats:

Overall: 72.65 (SR 92.9)
61.66 (SR 84.9) v Aus in Aus
132.6 (SR 97.4) v Eng in Eng
79.66 (SR 111) v Ind in Ind
63.16 (SR 114) v Pak in Pak

When you dissect each performance, it gets even better!

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[12] But, that's for another day as there are many iconic innings as well as underrated contributions.

Tougher the pitch & match situation, the better Viv was. Higher the stake, more ruthless he was.

Undisputed ODI GOAT for me.

SRT next for incredible consistency & longevity.