The following is a statistical analysis from a poster on
ESPN cricinfo (check the comments section) who did analysis of batsmen run scoring rates based on 2000 run blocks.
So, it seems to me fair to compare great periods in a career. If Bradman had become blind in one eye and made 60 ducks in a row we would still call him one of the greatest ever even though his average would be "only" 53. I have calculated the highest average for a career period, irrespective of when this period takes place. (It involved long Excel and Matlab calculations!) Only batsmen with more than 7500 runs are considered, although I have added Sobers and Bradman for interest's sake.
The numbers in my analysis speak for themselves. Averages are certainly not the be-all and end all, but Kallis was clearly one of the greatest batsmen ever. Ponting had a golden period, but for Kallis kept his standards high for much longer. Tendulkar was also a great talent, and starting at 16 has amassed 15000 tests runs which will surely never be beaten.
Basically what he is saying is that, take the runs that a batsman scored from 2000-4000, and then calculate the average of the run block. Similarly from 4000-6000 and calculate the average and then continue the trend until Tendulkar is in a class of his own. Top 10 results for each 2000 run block is as follows:
-----12000 Runs:-----
1) Kallis 61.49
2) Tendulkar 58.34
3) Ponting 55.82
4) Dravid 53.87
-----10000 Runs-----
1) Kallis 64.77
2) Ponting 59.90
3) Tendulkar 59.30
4) Sangakarra 59.05
5) Dravid 54.99
6) Lara 54.98
7) S Waugh 54.73
8) Border 52.48
9) Chanderpaul 52.32
10) Jayawardene 51.50
-----8000 Runs-----
1) Ponting 66.36
2) Kallis 64.90
3) Sangakarra 63.17
4) Tendulkar 62.13
5) Dravid 60.61
6) Chanderpaul 58.61
7) S Waugh 58.33
8) Jayawardene 58.24
9) Sobers 57.68
10) Hayden 56.10
-----6000 Runs-----
1) Bradman 103.78
2) Ponting 75.05
3) Kallis 71.69
4) Sobers 69.02
5) Sangakarra 67.88
6) Dravid 66.05
7) Tendulkar 64.99
8) Chanderpaul 62.36
9) Yousuf 62.06
10) S Waugh 60.58
-----4000 Runs-----
1) Bradman 102.82
2) Kallis 74.89
3) Sangakarra 74.87
4) Ponting 74.45
5) Hayden 72.33
6) Dravid 70.96
7) Sobers 70.95
8) Chanderpaul 70.68
9) Tendulkar 70.02
10) Lara 68.72
Conclusion:
The analysis above doesn't show the 0-2000 block but I can tell you that Kallis sucked @ss from 1995-1998. By the end of the 1998/1999 West Indies series where Kallis won his first man of the series award, he averaged a measly 38. If you were a national selector, you have have dropped him like a hot potato already, but then again, by the start of 1999, nobody in the team averaged above 40. 1999 till then end of his career was a golden period for Kallis but also for the South African team who finally announced themselves as contenders for the number 1 ranking but who always got beaten right back down to the ground by the invincible Aussies.
You'll also notice that Ponting either tops or sits second behind Bradman in some of the run block segments and this coincides with his marvellous golden period where in the 2000's, he recorded the 3rd highest peak rating on the ICC scale ever. It was this excellence that won Ponting so much praise and finally the Cricketer of the decade award inching out Kallis whose combined all rounder performance during the period had lots of people raising eyebrows. While Kallis was worthy competition, Ponting's captaincy skills coupled with his tenure in one of the all time great recognised teams must be acknowledged and weighted in his favour.
Tendulkar and Lara also feature on the lists but you will pick up that they are fairly consistent with others but never hitting massive peaks like Bradman, Sobers, Kallis, Ponting, Sanga.
Take a time out and notice Sanga's peaks. He is consistently kicking @ss but his achievements are constantly being overshadowed by the other batting legends.
A big thumb's up to my favorite West Indian Chanders for sharing company with the best
