One verdict on Lara, Sachin Punter as best of modern greats

Growler wrote:Yes I'd accept that interpretation also, Red.

Kallis is indeed one of the modern greats, but I must admit I've never heard reports of him dominating, or destroying a bowling attack in the way I've seen with Punter and BCL.

He's upped his scoring rate as he has begun to trust his fellow batsman. The 200 against SL was pretty quick, but then again SL is crap.

http://www.sport24.co.za/Cricket/Tendulkar-should-have-retired-20120131

The man who single-handledly won the WC for Pakistan in 92 thinks Sachin should have retired after India's WC win last year.

Sachin will play until he reaches 200 tests.

Lara had the talent to average 60, but as it is, I still think he was still something of an underachiever. His highs were the highest of any batsman since Bradman, and when in top form he was literally unstoppable. No batsman was feared like Lara was between 1992 and 2000. From 2000 until his retirement in 2007, he wasn't quite as consistent as he once had been, but he still produced some amazing innings.

Tendulkar had the ability to dominate like Lara did from about 1992 until 2000. Although he rarely played to the full limits of his game in tests. We were left to enjoy these limits in ODIs when he teed off opening the innings. I think that since around 2000, Tendulkar has batted with an element of fear, never quite fully expressing himself for an extended period. He never plays 'angry' innings in the way that Lara sometimes did.

Ponting became the key piston in the engine room of the most dominant batting lineup of the early 21st century. His run making from 2002 until 2007 was clinically ruthless, often having license to express himself after a huge Langer-Hayden opening stand. If Ponting got past 20 in that period between 2002 and 2007, he was virtually guaranteed to get a century. However, the suspicion always remained that he was often cashing in against already demoralised attacks, in an era of extremely flat pitches, and that his technique, slightly vulnerable early on, was never really properly tested.

So in summary- At the top of his game, Lara was undoubtedly the best of the three, over the whole course of their careers, Tendulkar has been the most consistent with his form, and Ponting scored the heaviest for an extended period (between 2002 and 2007 where he averaged something like 70).

lara was more consistent post 2000 than before it. most of his runs and centuries came between 2000-2006

Red wrote:The man who single-handledly won the WC for Pakistan in 92

only imran seems to think that, doesn't he? 1 fifty and 7 wickets in 8 matches

I was at that final and after listening to his speech I was left in no doubt.

Imran wasn't quite the first individual to win a team event, of course.

Simmo won the 1989 Ashes, and the following year's AFL Premiership was won by both Allan McAllister and Crackers Keenan.

Fred Nerk wrote:Imran wasn't quite the first individual to win a team event, of course.

Simmo won the 1989 Ashes, and the following year's AFL Premiership was won by both Allan McAllister and Crackers Keenan.

With a little help from Kevin Sheedy.

I was at the T20 tonight and got to speak to Stuart Clark. Clark had no doubt that Lara was better saying that in the only time he bowled to Lara, he ended the experience thinking that he was little more than a club cricketer.

Sachin, while obviously great, he didn't think was at batsman to be feared - more a relentless accumulator. Of course, Clark played Sachin later in his career and after his elbow injuries.

Clark also said that his have wicket was always Pietersen because he was so lippy.

Question for the stats boys, did Punter avergae higher than anyone bar Bradders over a 52 test period? Not trying to compare, but someone told me this recently and would like to know if its true

We did this analysis a few months ago and I think the answer was yes with Kallis pretty close behind (so possibly Kallis's best 52 tests is now better).

Sanga and Hayden were among the next couple IIRC.

Cheers, JGK . . .suprised your sober enough to respond . . . I just watched the game at the local sports bar and I'm struggling to type