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Dravid vs Kallis vs Ponting vs Sanga in Tests

The better test batsman

  • Dravid

  • Kallis

  • Ponting

  • Sanga


Results are only viewable after voting.

Red_Ink_Squid

Global Moderator
Note, I'm a fan of Kallis and I think he's easily the 2nd best all round cricketer of all time. But It can't be denied that he wasn't as willing or able as Punter to adapt to match conditions and take over games and attacks as needed.

But that doesn't mean Kallis wasn't a giant. I just think than Ponting was ever so marginally better.
Yeah I think it's perfectly reasonable to look at these two and think "They're close but Ponting gets the edge for his higher ceiling."

I don't get the "These guys aren't in the same league" takes.
 

kyear2

International Coach
I believe I have told you multiple times that I believe both require around equal skills.
This is the part where there's some disconnect.

It's easier to score at 35 / 45 than it is to score at 55 / 60 +.

It's sacrificing scoring to stay at the wicket by reducing chances. That's the inability or reluctance to do what the others can. Not saying go like Viv, but there's an in-between.

It definitely takes more ability to be able to score quicker. Look at the players that had to eliminate shots (and don't mean for an innings or series, but for the remainder of their careers) to maintain their places.

Even guys like Boycs and Barrington (and Hutton to a lesser extent) either were criticized or dropped for batting too slowly.
 

capt_Luffy

Cricketer Of The Year
This is the part where there's some disconnect.

It's easier to score at 35 / 45 than it is to score at 55 / 60 +.

It's sacrificing scoring to stay at the wicket by reducing chances. That's the inability or reluctance to do what the others can. Not saying go like Viv, but there's an in-between.

It definitely takes more ability to be able to score quicker. Look at the players that had to eliminate shots (and don't mean for an innings or series, but for the remainder of their careers) to maintain their places.

Even guys like Boycs and Barrington (and Hutton to a lesser extent) either were criticized or dropped for batting too slowly.
Barrington literally scored at around the same rate at which someone like Cowdrey and May scored, just for ex. Only one was criticized. But less agree to disagree.
 

PlayerComparisons

International Vice-Captain
If someone only had one arm and averaged 45 with the bat, would he be rated higher than a two armed bat averaging 50?

The former is probably more skillful
 
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Arachnodouche

International Captain
I never got the impression Kallis was inherently incapable of being more aggressive. He always carried this latent threat which IMO * he * rarely chose to deliver on. A man that strong with a technique that good could impose his will on any bowler if he wished to.
 

PlayerComparisons

International Vice-Captain
I’m actually suprised by how many votes Kallis has got against Ponting in this comparison and also the voting thread a few months ago.

I always thought Ponting was rated almost a tier above.
 

PlayerComparisons

International Vice-Captain
I never got the impression Kallis was inherently incapable of being more aggressive. He always carried this latent threat which IMO * he * rarely chose to deliver on. A man that strong with a technique that good could impose his will on any bowler if he wished to.
I think over his last few years he averaged 60+ and did it at a strike rate in the low to mid 50s
 

Bolo.

International Captain
I’m actually suprised by how many votes Kallis has got against Ponting in this comparison and also the voting thread a few months ago.

I always thought Ponting was rated almost a tier above.
Ponting was a tier above for the first half (or whatever) of his career.

Kallis was a tier above for the second half.

Overall they are very close. If Kallis overtook Ponting on career, it would have only been in his last few years. It takes some time to realise a player has overtaken another when you have spent well over a decade rating the other above, and they are close overall. The more time goes by, the more people are likely to assess the complete career, rather than relying on an impression formed early career.
 

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