lara the best batsman u've seen?

[trashos mob]

is lara the best batsman u have personally watched?
i know he is in my top 3, along with sachin tendulkar and steve waugh

[Alkaline]

Definatly. Watched him bat today and he has been great. Great batsman to watch.

[Browney]

Definatly. Watched him bat today and he has been great. Great batsman to watch.
You were at the ground?

[Stafford678]

yep

Lara
S.Waugh
Tendulka

[Browney]

Yep Lara is the best Batsmen i have personally watched along with Waugh, havent seen Tendulkar bat before, i would love to see it as well.

But I'd say Lara is the best i have seen, the thing that seperates Lara and Tendulkar is that Lara has the ability to amass the moster scores.

[Alkaline]

You were at the ground?
No, at home watching him on the TV.

[eddiesmith]

I have always preferred Tendulkar

[F/D]

Lara is the best.


Lara > Tendulkar >>> Waugh.

[Alkaline]

I have always preferred Tendulkar
I haven't really seen Suchin bat. But when i do i will compare.

[Browney]

I thought this thread was meant to be about the batsmen you have seen live, like at the ground? I mean i have seen nearly all batsmen on video or tv....

[Alkaline]

fair enough. But i enjoyed watching Lara's innings today.

[jozeph]

Viv Richards >>>>> Lara >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Waugh

[Darealrath]

Tendulkar a smidge ahead of Lara, with daylight to anyone else.

[Alkaline]

I thought this thread was meant to be about the batsmen you have seen live, like at the ground? I mean i have seen nearly all batsmen on video or tv....
I havnt really been to many games but in ODI's that i have been to Gilly has been the best.

[skipper kelly]

Trumper

[Drummond]

Lara is the best.


Lara > Tendulkar >>> Waugh.
True.

[Alkaline]

Lara is the best.


Lara > Tendulkar >>> Waugh.
He is know that he has the record.

[F/D]

English please?

[Alkaline]

English please?
Lara is the best know that he has got the most test runs. Just over took AB

[starz]

If every batsman in the world was turning it on and i had the choice to watch just one i wouldn't hesitate to choose Lara.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

What about Matty Hayden?

He's scored more runs in the last 5 years than either Lara or Tendulkar did in their best 5 years throughout their careers.

He's a modern great and must surely be regarded more highly than Steve Waugh, not for longevity, but in terms of the highs reached.

[trashos mob]

If every batsman in the world was turning it on and i had the choice to watch just one i wouldn't hesitate to choose Lara.

agreed. if there is 1 i like to c make runs against australia it is lara.
one of the few players of the modern era with all the increased averages to actually have a good average against australia

[Alkaline]

Is Lara any good in ODI's? Would Gilly be the best batsman in ODI's?

[F/D]

Lara averages like 43 in OD, which is very good.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

He is know that he has the record.
That's irrelevant.

Dravid, Kallis and Ponting will all overtake Lara at some point.

Will they all instantly become better batsmen once they attain that statistical distinction?

[Alkaline]

Lara averages like 43 in OD, which is very good.
Thats pretty decent. I cant be botherd doing any research so who have the best average in ODI's?

[Alkaline]

That's irrelevant.

Dravid, Kallis and Ponting will all overtake Lara at some point.

Will they all instantly become better batsmen once they attain that statistical distinction?
Has anyone got a list of the most Tests runs in history?

[F/D]

What about Matty Hayden?

He's scored more runs in the last 5 years than either Lara or Tendulkar did in their best 5 years throughout their careers.

He's a modern great and must surely be regarded more highly than Steve Waugh, not for longevity, but in terms of the highs reached.
But Hayden struggled agaisnt a very good crop of paceman back than and both Tendulkar and Lara flurished.

Only in the last 5 years, when the bowling averages have blown up, Hayden has come good.


Lara > Tendulkar >>>> Hayden.

[Cassius_Clay]

Ponting craps all over Steve Waugh

Lara>Tendulka>>>>>>Ponting>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Waugh

[F/D]

Thats pretty decent. I cant be botherd doing any research so who have the best average in ODI's?
Kevin Pieterson.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Is Lara any good in ODI's? Would Gilly be the best batsman in ODI's?Gilchrist is nowhere near the best ODI batsman.

Nowhere near.

Tendulkar, Ponting, Bevan, Richards, Lara. They're all ahead of Gilly.

Even guys like Ganguly and ul-Haq.

Gilchrist is explosive, but his average is far from the top of the pile.

[F/D]

Ponting craps all over Steve Waugh

Lara>Tendulka>>>>>>Ponting>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Waugh
Agree.

[Buddy]

Tendulkar without a doubt . For all of you who have seen him bat , just watching him in full flow is magic. The technique, the temperament everything. Bradman himself said that Sachin was the "Modern Incarnation of him" so to speak . Lara is definitely a close number two with Steve Waugh three. In terms of ODI's , considering Tendulkar has the most centuries , the most runs , and from today the most games - I would say that Tendulkar would be the greatest batsman since Bradman. Your thoughts?

[Alkaline]

Gilchrist is nowhere near the best ODI batsman.

Nowhere near.

Tendulkar, Ponting, Bevan, Richards, Lara. They're all ahead of Gilly.

Even guys like Ganguly and ul-Haq.

Gilchrist is explosive, but his average is far from the top of the pile.
Gilly is good to watch though.

[F/D]

Gilchrist is nowhere near the best ODI batsman.

Nowhere near.

Tendulkar, Ponting, Bevan, Richards, Lara. They're all ahead of Gilly.

Even guys like Ganguly and ul-Haq.

Gilchrist is explosive, but his average is far from the top of the pile.
Ul-Haq > Ponting in ODI's.

[Alkaline]

Kevin Pieterson.
At what average?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Has anyone got a list of the most Tests runs in history?http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingCareerRuns.asp?Stat=5000

[Alkaline]

Ul-Haq > Ponting in ODI's.
who does Ul-Haq play for Pakistan or something?

[F/D]

Tendulkar without a doubt . For all of you who have seen him bat , just watching him in full flow is magic. The technique, the temperament everything. Bradman himself said that Sachin was the "Modern Incarnation of him" so to speak . Lara is definitely a close number two with Steve Waugh three. In terms of ODI's , considering Tendulkar has the most centuries , the most runs , and from today the most games - I would say that Tendulkar would be the greatest batsman since Bradman. Your thoughts?
Thoughts?

Your biased, because you are Indian :D :thumbsu:

[Buddy]

You cant rate Pieterson after just 20 games , Tendulkar has an average I believe of 45 after 350 odd ODI's , not a bad effort eh ... And why not add Mahendra Singh Dhoni to the list with Pieterson if your going to do that , averages 50 odd in ODI's also after 20 odd games ...

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Kevin Pieterson.Pietersen hasn't played enough cricket to really be considered.

Besides, Pietersen averages 73. Hussey averages 123. Neither should be considered because they've played less than 20 innings.

If you look at people who have made more than 2000 ODI runs, then Bevan is way ahead.

Obviously his average is distorted by not outs.

Richards is the pick of the bunch for mine.

6721 runs at 47, with a S/R of 90.

http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingCareerRuns_ODI.asp?Stat=2000&CountryCode=XXX&SortOrder=BatAvg

[guess_who]

Hooray, Lara makes big runs in a dead rubber!!! Hail the champion!!! Where was he when the big boys put the real presure on!!!

[F/D]

who does Ul-Haq play for Pakistan or something?
Pakistan.

[Alkaline]

Pakistan.
THought so :)

[F/D]

Pietersen hasn't played enough cricket to really be considered.

If you look at people who have made more than 2000 ODI runs, then Bevan is way ahead.

Obviously his average is distorted by not outs.

Richards is the pick of the bunch for mine.

6721 runs at 47, with a S/R of 90.

http://www.howstat.com.au/cricket/Statistics/Batting/BattingCareerRuns_ODI.asp?Stat=2000&CountryCode=XXX&SortOrder=BatAvg
Tendulkar and Ul-Haq > Bevan.

[Alkaline]

I never got to see Bevan bat much but from what i saw he was a great batsman.

[Rhombus]

Bevan the best ODI player that's ever played. Still can't understand how he hasn't been retained in the Aus ODI squad.

As for batsman: Lara - scores runs when it counts S Waugh - scored runs when it counts Tendulkar = Huge ? mark. Scores lots against weaker sides

[Browney]

Hooray, Lara makes big runs in a dead rubber!!! Hail the champion!!! Where was he when the big boys put the real presure on!!!
He was there, but the umpires ********ed him over

[Bombers_Forever]

Yep- great knock today too.

[Alkaline]

Bevan the best ODI player that's ever played. Still can't understand how he hasn't been retained in the Aus ODI squad.

As for batsman: Lara - scores runs when it counts S Waugh - scored runs when it counts Tendulkar = Huge ? mark. Scores lots against weaker sides
It's easy to hit runs against crap sides. Trying doing it against Australia like Lara has. Easily one of the best Test bastman.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Tendulkar and Ul-Haq > Bevan.Tendulkar definitely. I was just responding to a question about who had the best average.

Ul-Haq has played a lot of ODIs, but has managed only 10 centuries. He has an unspectacular average of 39.89, and has scored at the pedestrian S/R of 74.11. Those numbers are really nothing special.

Sourav Ganguly deserves to be rated higher than Inzy.

I think Tendulkar and Viv Richards are the stand-outs when it comes to ODIs.

Then there is a group of about 8-9 guys who have all had fantastic careers.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Bevan the best ODI player that's ever played.That's absolute bollocks. He was great at what he did. He was a specialist lower-order batsman.

Tendulkar and Viv Richards are so far ahead of everyone else it's not funny.

[F/D]

Bevan the best ODI player that's ever played. Still can't understand how he hasn't been retained in the Aus ODI squad.

As for batsman: Lara - scores runs when it counts S Waugh - scored runs when it counts Tendulkar = Huge ? mark. Scores lots against weaker sides
I thought Sachin had a better average agaisnt Australia in tests than Lara?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

As for batsman: Lara - scores runs when it counts S Waugh - scored runs when it counts Tendulkar = Huge ? mark. Scores lots against weaker sidesMore bollocks from you.

How full of sh*t can you get?

Tendulkar averages 53.11 against Australia.

Lara averages 48.39 against Australia. That was before today.

Steve Waugh averaged 49.87 against Sth. Africa and 49.82 against the West Indies. They were the best sides other than Australia during Waugh's career.

Looks like Tendulkar's average against the top side is better than Lara's average against the top side, or Waugh's averages against the best sides he played against.

[Alkaline]

More bollocks from you.

How full of sh*t can you get?

Tendulkar averges 53.11 against Australia.
Lara averages 48.39 against Australia. That was before today.
Lara would be infront on Suchin now though wouldnt he?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Lara would be infront on Suchin now though wouldnt he?Not quite.

Lara's average against Australia is now 52.1.

If he gets dismissed without scoring tomorrow that will go back down to 51.1.

Tendulkar is clearly ahead.

[Browney]

Bevan the best ODI player that's ever played. Still can't understand how he hasn't been retained in the Aus ODI squad.

As for batsman: Lara - scores runs when it counts S Waugh - scored runs when it counts Tendulkar = Huge ? mark. Scores lots against weaker sides
Tendulkar>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>S. Waugh

[apollo_creed]

Overall, Tendulkar.

Test Matches Lara, by the smallest of margins.

If considering both forms nobody comes close to Sachan, the guy averages 44 @ a s/r of 80 or something in One-Day cricket, and averages +57 with the bat in test match cricket.

But on test-matches, Lara but there almost impossible to split in this regard.

[Alkaline]

Not quite.

Lara's average against Australia is now 52.1.

If he gets dismissed without scoring tomorrow that will go back down to 51.1.

Tendulkar is clearly ahead.
And if he goes onto 300 odd?

[Cassius_Clay]

Not quite.

Lara's average against Australia is now 52.1.

If he gets dismissed without scoring tomorrow that will go back down to 51.1.

Tendulkar is clearly ahead.
Just because he is slightly worse than Tendulkar against 1 team. Lara is a better test batsman than Tendulkar. Scored more runs and is more consistent.

[Alkaline]

Just because he is slightly worse than Tendulkar against 1 team. Lara is a better test batsman than Tendulkar. Scored more runs and is more consistent.
Exactly. I agree with you BP.

Lara > Suchin

[apollo_creed]

But Hayden struggled agaisnt a very good crop of paceman back than and both Tendulkar and Lara flurished.

Only in the last 5 years, when the bowling averages have blown up, Hayden has come good.


Lara > Tendulkar >>>> Hayden.

F/D all credit to you bro, you clearly know your cricket.

All love to you brother.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Everyone is barring up about Lara. I agree that he is a fantastic batsman, but scoring the most runs doesn't necessarily make you the best batsman.

Take a look at the other guys breathing down his neck. Lara will hold this record for a maximum of 5 years. I think it's highly likely that he'll be 5th on the list by the end of the decade.

Lara has now scored 1163 runs at 54.18. Fantastic effort.

But Tendulkar has scored 10134 at 57.25 and is still only 32 years old!

Tendulkar will smash Lara's record inside two years.

Let's assume that Tendulkar retires tomorrow.

Rahul Dravid has scored 7894 runs at 57.62.
Ricky Ponting has scored 7679 runs at 56.46.
Jacques Kallis has scored 7420 runs at 57.08.

Dravid is 32. Ponting and Kallis are 30.

So before you go off the deep end talking about how Lara is the best batsman you've ever seen, bear in mind that you may have to say the same thing about 4 other batsmen in the next 5 years.

The reality is that Lara's record won't stand for long, so let's not blow its significance out of proportion.

[apollo_creed]

Gilchrist is nowhere near the best ODI batsman.

Nowhere near.

Tendulkar, Ponting, Bevan, Richards, Lara. They're all ahead of Gilly.

Even guys like Ganguly and ul-Haq.

Gilchrist is explosive, but his average is far from the top of the pile.
Good post.

Another one who knows his cricket.

[Alkaline]

Everyone is barring up about Lara. I agree that he is a fantastic batsman, but scoring the most runs doesn't necessarily make you the best batsman.

Take a look at the other guys breathing down his neck. Lara will hold this record for a maximum of 5 years. I think it's highly likely that he'll be 5th on the list by the end of the decade.

Lara has now scored 1163 runs at 54.18. Fantastic effort.

But Tendulkar has scored 10134 at 57.25 and is still only 32 years old!

Tendulkar will smash Lara's record inside two years.

Let's assume that Tendulkar retires tomorrow.

Rahul Dravid has scored 7894 runs at 57.62.
Ricky Ponting has scored 7679 runs at 56.46.
Jacques Kallis has scored 7420 runs at 57.08.

Dravid is 32. Ponting and Kallis are 30.

So before you go off the deep end talking about how Lara is the best batsman you've ever seen, bear in mind that you may have to say the same thing about 4 other batsmen in the next 5 years.

The reality is that Lara's record won't stand for long, so let's not blow its significance out of proportion.
His 400* will stand for a long time and he will be in the history books for breaking that record. And making 400* at the age of 35 or what ever he is it is a tremendous effort.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Just because he is slightly worse than Tendulkar against 1 team. Lara is a better test batsman than Tendulkar. Scored more runs and is more consistent.More consistent?

Then why does Tendulkar average 57 compared to Lara's 54? How else would you measure consistency?

I think you'll also find that Lara's average is distorted by massive innings like his 400 against England.

You can only make that kind of score playing for a team like the West Indies, where you've got no chance to win the match so you may as well just keep batting.

[Alkaline]

Lara scores big runs against good teams. like the 400* against England 200+ against Australia in this series and many more.

Tendulka scores big runs against crap teams but bats consistantly enough to keep his agerave high.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

His 400* will stand for a long time and he will be in the history books for breaking that record. And making 400* at the age of 35 or what ever he is it is a tremendous effort.Completely separate issue. Was Matt Hayden the best batsman you had seen before Lara made that 400?

Those kind of individual, one-off statistics are not nearly as signifcant as a standard maintained by someone like Tendulkar for an entire career.

The reality is that had Lara been an Australian he wouldn't have had the opportunity to bat for 3 days. Waugh or Ponting would have declared because they wanted to win the Test.

The West Indies made 751 in the first innings and drew the Test. There's no way in hell an Australian captain would have allowed that to happen.

[Cassius_Clay]

Good post.

Another one who knows his cricket.
Unlike you.

[Browney]

More consistent?

Then why does Tendulkar average 57 compared to Lara's 54? How else would you measure consistency?

I think you'll also find that Lara's average is distorted by massive innings like his 400 against England.

You can only make that kind of score playing for a team like the West Indies, where you've got no chance to win the match so you may as well just keep batting.
Thats a ridiculous comment, distorted by the 400? haha of course it is because it is a monster bloody innings, you cant just not count his massive scores that is ridiculous.

I think the main thing that Seperates Lara and Tendulkar is that Lara has the abiltity to hit monster scores, Tendulkar doesnt.

[F/D]

Hahahaha Alkaline.



Tendulkar has a REP goddamn it, a REP of being consistent.


Lara has a REP of, when switched on, being the best. But he isnt always switched on but he is a gun still.

Consistency = Tendulkar
When gets passed 100 whos better = Lara


IMO, Lara > Tendulkar just.


Cant believe people are saying Tendulkar is crap agaisnt the good teams...hahahaahah man.

[Alkaline]

Yes well, maybe going 751 in the first innings was a bit over the top and Lara wanted some attention. But would you be annoyed that the captain declared when you where about to beat the most test runs in an innings?

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Lara scores big runs against good teams. like the 400* against England 200+ against Australia in this series and many more.

Tendulka scores big runs against crap teams but bats consistantly enough to keep his agerave high.That's complete bullsh*t.

Lara scores big because the West Indies have no other batsmen and Lara needs to occupy the crease for days at a time to give them a fighting chance.

If Lara played in a more competitive side, those huge scores wouldn't have occurred because the captain would have preferred to win the Test than allow Lara enough time to makes those scores.

Both Lara's 400* and his 375 came in drawn Tests. What does that tell you?

The West Indies squandered any chance to win the match due to their preparedness to let Lara bat on and on.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Thats a ridiculous comment, distorted by the 400? haha of course it is because it is a monster bloody innings, you cant just not count his massive scores that is ridiculous.

I think the main thing that Seperates Lara and Tendulkar is that Lara has the abiltity to hit monster scores, Tendulkar doesnt.Lara has had the opportunity to hit monster scores because he's played most of his career in uncompetitive sides that are happy to draw Test matches rather than risk losing them.

That's the only reason he could make 400*.

That's why Tendulkar's higher standard over the 12-13 years is far more significant than an individual, one-off score, even if it is 400*.

[docker_azza]

Lara, S Waugh and Tendulkar would be in my top five, but I rate Lara higher than those two, especially considering the fact that Lara, unlike Steve Waugh and Tendulkar, does not play and has not played to protect his average.

[F/D]

West Indies had plenty of time to bowl England out.


Yes he made 400, but the Windies had over 100 overs to bowl them out.


People just want to bag out players, specially the good ones but thats the way it happened.

[Cassius_Clay]

That's complete bullsh*t.

Lara scores big because the West Indies have no other batsmen and Lara needs to occupy the crease for days at a time to give them a fighting chance.

If Lara played in a more competitive side, those huge scores wouldn't have occurred because the captain would have preferred to win the Test than allow Lara enough time to makes those scores.

Both Lara's 400* and his 375 came in drawn Tests. What does that tell you?

The West Indies squandered any chance to win the match due to their preparedness to let Lara bat on and on.
Lara has to think about himself and the team. Tendulkar inly has to think about himself as he has Dravid, Laxman and Sehwag who are all guns that can bat. Batting in a poor side is harder than batting in a great side.

[apollo_creed]

Unlike you.

Insufficent wit my friend.

Please recharge as soon as possible.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

West Indies had plenty of time to bowl England out.


Yes he made 400, but the Windies had over 100 overs to bowl them out.


People just want to bag out players, specially the good ones but thats the way it happened.Are you on drugs?

100 overs to bowl England out twice on what was clearly a batting wicket.

You think that's plenty do you? Especially when England were fully aware of the fact they were playing for a draw.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

Lara has to think about himself and the team. Tendulkar inly has to think about himself as he has Dravid, Laxman and Sehwag who are all guns that can bat. Batting in a poor side is harder than batting in a great side.Whatever. Can you offer any more glib truisms?

I'm explaining why Lara's massive scores are not the be-all and end-all.
Tendulkar's superior career average is far more significant than two huge innings played by Lara.

Those scores are a result of playing in a side that is happy to draw Test matches. It's that simple.

[F/D]

Yes I am on drugs.

How did you know though?

[Minkus_Swan]

Easily the most devastating batsman I've seen. If he had Steve Waugh's hunger to succeed than he would be the most complete player to play the game. He certainly would have scored more runs and definitely would have been part of more test victories. Yes, he got some huge individual scores, but I like to remember him as a batsman that was most lethal when the pressure was at it's peak.

His efforts against Australia in the 98/99 series was possibly his finest series as a captain and as a batsman. His day long (343 run) partnership with Jimmy Adams and contribution of 213 in the 2nd test - was unbelievable. Considering the windies were embarrassed in the previous test match and were 4/34 leading into that mammoth partnership.

His 3rd test heroics were almost as spectacular. His matchwinning 153 not out in a 1 wicket victory was again a glimpse of his genius. The windies were struggling again in their 2nd innings at 5/105 chasing 310. It took him 51 balls after passing 50 to reach his century. Wickets were tumbling around him and he still won it off his bat.

[starz]

Lara scores big runs against good teams. like the 400* against England 200+ against Australia in this series and many more.

Tendulka scores big runs against crap teams but bats consistantly enough to keep his agerave high.
Not since the 90's.

And let's not forget Lara hasn't really been out of form this tour he has just been robbed time and again by Rudi, i actually thought he was in good touch all tour, even in the super test he was robbed one innings by guess who.

[Gunnar Longshanks]

OK fine.

Let's all sit back and talk about how Lara is the best batsman any of us have seen.

He's about to break the record for most Test runs so it must be true, right? Because that statistic is clearly the only thing that matters.

Just send me a memo when Tendulkar overtakes him in the next two years, with a better average (both across his career and against Australia) and more centuries.

Then I can come back and listen to everyone say exactly the same things about Tendulkar.

Get some f*cking perspective.

[Cooldude]

You would pick Tendulkar every time of the day if you gonna chose between the two as a selector

Tendulkar gurrantees runs, Lara is erratic.

But, there's not a batsman in the world I'd rather sit down and watch him bat than BCL. Tremandous tremandous player, perhaps the best left handed batsman to walk the earth

[Kid A]

If I needed a batsman to bat and bat (and trust that he wouldn't ever throw his wicket away), I'd pick s r waugh

If I needed a batsman full stop, I'd pick s r tendulkar

If I wanted to watch a batsman after he got in, i'd pick b c lara

[Alkaline]

Everyone has their own opinions on different players. End of story :)

[belfast_bomber]

I havnt really been to many games but in ODI's that i have been to Gilly has been the best.
he'd be delighted to hear you say that

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/10/29/cricgilchrist_wideweb__430x298.jpg

as regards lara, I'd have to say yes. for sheer guts and determination and the way on so many occasions he's inspired an otherwise rubbish team. and a sheer delight to watch. except when playing australia because you want to get the bugger out!

I like tendulkar but as many runs as he will inevitably make he'll never excite the imagination in the way that lara, waugh and (going back a bit) viv richards did. sure batting is all about making runs, runs and more runs, but I'm a fan of cricket not just of batting and lara's always been about the drama of cricket, you just really don't know what's going to happen next with him

[Cooldude]

Tendulkar scores runs against crap teams? Now I've heard it all

Aus fears him, as much as they fear BCL

They are the only two I've seen who were ever equiped to totally take apart a fully fit Warne, and both have done it many, many, many times.

Mcgrath owns Lara, yet Tendulkar has had great success against him.

Just because of Tendulkar's dodgey elbow for the past two years doesn't mean his reputation, achievements or ability can ever be discredited.

[Cooldude]

havent seen Tendulkar bat before, i would love to see it as well.


So much for a Pom who self-proclaimed to be a cricketer lover and only stays on here because he loves his cricket, even though it kinda coincides with England winning the Ashes?

[Alkaline]

he'd be delighted to hear you say that

http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2004/10/29/cricgilchrist_wideweb__430x298.jpg

as regards lara, I'd have to say yes. for sheer guts and determination and the way on so many occasions he's inspired an otherwise rubbish team. and a sheer delight to watch. except when playing australia because you want to get the bugger out!

I like tendulkar but as many runs as he will inevitably make he'll never excite the imagination in the way that lara, waugh and (going back a bit) viv richards did. sure batting is all about making runs, runs and more runs, but I'm a fan of cricket not just of batting and lara's always been about the drama of cricket, you just really don't know what's going to happen next with him
Thats a good thing then. :)

[Locky]

This is among Laras best knocks ever, he needed to deliver something big and he did it. He was under a lot of pressure and he did it in Australia where he wouldn't have had much support... Great work by a great player

[footyfanatic007]

Gilchrist is nowhere near the best ODI batsman.

Nowhere near.

Tendulkar, Ponting, Bevan, Richards, Lara. They're all ahead of Gilly.

Even guys like Ganguly and ul-Haq.

Gilchrist is explosive, but his average is far from the top of the pile.

Since when does averages mean you are the best/better batsman?

Bevan ranks nowhere near as good a batsman as Gilchrist, Bevan was fantastic but his average was inflated because of his large proportion of n.o's due to batting down the order.

Lara, Tendulkar and Gilchrist best batsman of last 10 yrs.

I wouldnt be afraid to place ponting as the best ODI player going around. Brilliant fielder, and Explosive damaging bat, id say his world cup final innings is the best one day knock ive ever seen. Pieterson although i rate extremely high as a O.D player, his average will begin to flatten out in the next year or so, good start but, if he continued it he would go down as THE great O.D batsman.

And as for guys like Ganguly ranking as a better batsman as gillie, pfft, he bats on bowler friendly pitches, unlike Ganguly who constantly improves his stats through ********house knocks against ********house opposition *Bagladesh*

[garrison]

Lara is one of the best batsmen ever for sure. When he scores hundreds he scores them big. Tendulkar was more consistent but played many of his games and runs/hundreds against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. That isn't a knock on him, he did well against Australia too. But Lara always tends to rise to the big occasions. I don't care if it was contrived, anyone who can even score 375* or 400* or 501* in a test/1st class is a mega-batting star.

He's the best of the modern era, closely followed by Gilchrist.

[WA ROO]

Best batsmen I have seen live I cannot split Viv Richards and Barry Richards both were awesome

[belfast_bomber]

Best batsmen I have seen live I cannot split Viv Richards and Barry Richards both were awesome
"viv is the one without a helmet"

hoho

[WA ROO]

"viv is the one without a helmet"

hohoHAHA both could destroy a bowling line up in a session

[~GURU~]

For me the greatest batsman ever seen. One of my favourite players.

[Browney]

So much for a Pom who self-proclaimed to be a cricketer lover and only stays on here because he loves his cricket, even though it kinda coincides with England winning the Ashes?
Never had the chance to get to the MCG and watch him, and ive never been to India so how could i watch him live? Have you seen him live?

[usalion]

My first provision- Test cricket only...don't give a flip about one day stuff, though will keep up with the matches- couldn't tell you who wins the yearly tournaments or who the third team is in australia unless they also play Tests.

Never saw Richards live, but did see him on the box and on video- tremendous player, but he has to be left off.

For sheer artistry with the bat, three guys stand out, two already mentioned..

Tendulkar- who can forget the image of him visiting the Don in Adelaide and the wonderful comparison that was done of his batting stroke with that of the Don?

Lara- Very explosive, but also good solid bat...sometimes, his mind is not on the game. Never really impressed when I saw him live, but the electricity was there. Saw him dismissed cheaply in a cup match in england by a minor counties bowler...reason for going to Edgbaston was to see him bat, and he was out for 12.

The one not mentioned- David Gower- silky smooth with his stroke, could place theball on a towell set in the outfield...sheer class

Would probably take Tendulkar first