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Brian Lara vs Jacques Kallis

Who is the better test batsman?


  • Total voters
    25

DrWolverine

U19 Cricketer
Lara’s holes in his record :
- His record against and in India
- His record in NewZealand
-

Kallis’ holes in his record
- His record against and in Srilanka
- His record in England

Kallis was more consistent but he was more of a defensive batsman.

Lara was gifted with the bat and had great highs but was more inconsistent as a batsman.
 

Johan

State Vice-Captain
I've noticed, scoring in low scoring eras too in your career is something that makes one rate you on a different level, Lara was on the top of the world in early 90s and Sachin in late 90s and 90s was a low scoring decade, and I think that's fundamentally the reason Lara and Sachin are rated above 2000s Legends.
 

Slifer

International Captain
I've noticed, scoring in low scoring eras too in your career is something that makes one rate you on a different level, Lara was on the top of the world in early 90s and Sachin in late 90s and 90s was a low scoring decade, and I think that's fundamentally the reason Lara and Sachin are rated above 2000s Legends.
I have no doubt that had Lara debuted when around the time Kallis did (ie late 90s) and not have to contend with the WWs, McGrath and Donald as extensively as he did, his average and other run scoring stats would be distinctly higher. Just my opinion.
 

Chin Music

State Vice-Captain
Lara's level of batting at his best is just insane. Kallis couldn't get close to that if you think of THAT series v Australia in 99.
 

DrWolverine

U19 Cricketer
292 test wickets at an average of 32.6
13289 runs at an average of 55 and 45 centuries
200 catches

Unless you are Don Bradman, there is not a single player whose batting or bowling alone is more valuable than Kallis’ all round talent.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
292 test wickets at an average of 32.6
13289 runs at an average of 55 and 45 centuries
200 catches

Unless you are Don Bradman, there is not a single player whose batting or bowling alone is more valuable than Kallis’ all round talent.
I would have McGrath or Tendulkar in my side easily over Kallis, sorry.

Being among the best specialists is more valuable.
 

DrWolverine

U19 Cricketer
Sachin the batsman > Kallis the batsman

Kallis the cricketer > Every batsman except Don

Same applies to Gary Sobers except it is >>
 

kyear2

International Coach
In a real game I am not going to bench the best batsman in the world for Kallis' support bowling, let's be real.
I would have McGrath or Tendulkar in my side easily over Kallis, sorry.

Being among the best specialists is more valuable.
Does this apply for bowlers as well?

Though for the record it's not just support bowling, it's also the incredible catching.
 

subshakerz

Hall of Fame Member
Does this apply for bowlers as well?

Though for the record it's not just support bowling, it's also the incredible catching.
Yes though as we have discussed I view a competent no.8 bat as slightly more important than a competent no.5 bowler. Its a designated spot for the team.

It also depends on the space in the team.

Would I select Imran over McGrath for a no.11 spot in a team? No. Would I select Imran for a no.8 spot? Yes.

Am I selecting Kallis ahead of Tendulkar for any spot in the top 6? No way.
 
Last edited:

Bolo.

International Captain
In a real game I am not going to bench the best batsman in the world for Kallis' support bowling, let's be real.
In actual real games, this meant losing Kallis plus another bat as the team brought more bowling in. Only Bradman is worth this kind of sacrifice.
 

kyear2

International Coach
Yes though as we have discussed I view a competent no.8 bat as slightly more important than a competent no.5 bowler. Its a designated spot for the team.

It also depends on the space in the team.

Would I select Imran over McGrath for a no.11 spot in a team? No. Would I select Imran for a no.8 spot? Yes.

Am I selecting Kallis ahead of Tendulkar for any spot in the top 6? No way.
The highlighted part is the exact opposite to reality. The no. 8 spot isn't designated as an all rounder spot, rather just the best bat among the bowlers. There is however a designated spot in every team and selection scenario that calls for an all rounder, ie. 5th bowler.

And as I've said, a competent no. 8, 5th bowler and 2nd slip are all equally integral parts of any team. Don't know what makes the no. 8 more important than the others, especially considering it's the one most likely to fail in said task.
 

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