KP vs AB: Who was the better test bat?

[subshakerz]

Kevin Pietersen vs AB DeVilliers, two super talented cricketers who didn't quite live up to their full potential despite impressive career records.

AB may have more rounded career stats but KP reached heights in his career that set him up as the best English batsmen in the modern era.

Who should be rated higher?

 

[sunilz]

ABD everyday of the week.

 

[Gob]

KP

 

[Line and Length]

For one horrible moment I thought you were comparing KP with AB (Alan Border).

 

[Red_Ink_Squid]

Both ABs were better than KP.

 

[indiaholic]

Easily AB.

 

[Starfighter]

ABdV, though KP perhaps had more memorable and impactful moments. AB was better than both.

 

[honestbharani]

AB is better than KP as an overall player but I guess KP has had the more impactful innings over their careers.

 

[Zinzan]

I'm not sure this one is as clear as some are making out. As Test bats, it's a close thing either way.

 

[OverratedSanity]

AB by a mile. I dont even think KP had more memorable/impactful innings tbh. AB's best innings match up very favourably with KP's. And overall careers its a bit of a mismatch. KP had an 8 year career, pretty easy to maintain a reasonably high average over a career as short as that.

 

[Gob]

AB was a bit of a downhill skier in tests tbh

 

[Daemon]

AB was a bit of a downhill skier in tests tbh

Nah, maybe early on but in the last few years of his career he was brilliant

 

[Teja.]

AB was a bit of a downhill skier in tests tbh

This is a myth. The opposite is true. He was the best batsman in the world on 200-250 par type seam friendly pitches, one of the best at batting out time for draws and one of the best overseas batsman I've seen at batting on deteriorating dustbowls in India.

His problem was the opposite - he didn't cash in enough in the easier conditions IMO.

 

[anil1405]

ABdV > KP > AB

 

[Pup Clarke]

Easily ABdV

 

[harsh.ag]

In 2012, KP > AB, by a slim margin. Now, no way.

 

[OverratedSanity]

This is a myth. The opposite is true. He was the best batsman in the world on 200-250 par type seam friendly pitches, one of the best at batting out time for draws and one of the best overseas batsman I've seen at batting on deteriorating dustbowls in India.

His problem was the opposite - he didn't cash in enough in the easier conditions IMO.

He cashed in with some easy runs early-mid career a lot, especially when Amla was at his peak and he would come in with no pressure. Once Kallis/Smith retired and Amla declined, he played a lot more of those special innings that he was always capable of.

 

[ankitj]

AB

Why is this even a question?

 

[Gob]

He cashed in with some easy runs early-mid career a lot, especially when Amla was at his peak and he would come in with no pressure. Once Kallis/Smith retired and Amla declined, he played a lot more of those special innings that he was always capable of.

How much did he play after that?

He was amazing against India and Aus in 18 season and in India before that in a very low scoring series but that was a very small potion of his career

 

[flibbertyjibber]

Tests I'd say KP, other formats and overall package it isn't a question and AB is miles ahead.

Only going for KP in tests as I think he had more memorable test knocks but I am probably biased as I saw more of them being English.