More proof of why Ricky Ponting is easily the greatest batsman of the modern era.

[Insomniac]

The basic career stats give the basis to an argument, but taking it to stupid levels, such as making out a certain player is better than another because of average in wins is taking it WAY too far. Stats can be the main portion of an argument, but you also have to take into consideration the team the player's playing for, the conditions he plays under most of the time, the opposition encountered, their method of play. The final point, method of play, is the one that has to be used for Viv Richards. His average of 51 still stands up against the rest of the world, but the fact he achieved that average by playing in an attacking frame of mind, hitting at a good strike rate, and playing in an incredibly dominating way makes him a better player than Rahul Dravid for example.

There is almost always a basis to every statistic you bring it down to.

For example, say Younis Khan has a higher average in the 4th innings than Rahul Dravid (no idea if its true)

Then one could say you would want Younis to bat for you in the 4th innings - thats just not necessarily true if you would want Younis over Dravid.

Now, going to the point about the wins, it really shows who your match winners are, and is definitely a more important statistic than a 4th innings statistic (or something else)

 

[shubhrayu]

Ok guys I am back here and I say finally end this discussion the Majority says Ponting is the greatest so let's be democratic

 

[ankurs_009]

This upcoming series will b going to b an absolute cracker ....

IM EXPECTING A CLOSE ONE FOLKS!!!

 

[aussie_ben91]

Playing at home is always easier than away right. So lets look at the two:
Ponting
Home: 68 matches, 62.67
Away: 48 matches, 51.54

Tendulkar
Home: 63 matches, 54.85
Away: 87 matches, 53.70
Tendulkar in this regard can be considered the more consistent player. Take Ponting overseas and he isn't as dominating at home. Hayden has this weird stat too. Also Ponting has played way more matches at home too. But then again you lot are wasting your time. Neither could survive in the West Indies team that Lara carried for years. He is to me the greatest batsman in this century: Ponting had an incredible team while Tendulkar was part of the fab four. Lara had absolutely no one: oh wait Chanderpaul and Sarwan. When Lara played Chanderpaul was no where near the player he is today.

Ponting averages 57 against non-minnow nations.
Tendulkar averages 51 against non-minnow nations.
Lara averages 53 against non-minnow nations.

How can you say that Tendulkar or Ponting wouldn't of survived if they played for the West Indies?
When Lara started playing for the West Indies they were probably still the best team in the world!
And when the Windies became a much weaker side, Lara was already an established player.
It wasn't as if Lara "survived" either.
Constant failures for a period of time saw his average drop below 50.
If he played for a stronger nation, then he would've been under the pressure of playing for his spot.
Something allot more harder to play under then playing with a weaker batting lineup.

 

[Cricketdude]

Ben, how do you get pride from a Tasmanian?

 

[aussie_ben91]

Ponting lives in New South Wales.

 

[.::Stevo::.]

Yeh but he is Tassie born. He got his second head cut off at the age of 6, and then relised he had to leave Tasmania for a proper state

 

[smssia0112]

Playing at home is always easier than away right. So lets look at the two:
Ponting
Home: 68 matches, 62.67
Away: 48 matches, 51.54

Tendulkar
Home: 63 matches, 54.85
Away: 87 matches, 53.70
Tendulkar in this regard can be considered the more consistent player. Take Ponting overseas and he isn't as dominating at home. Hayden has this weird stat too. Also Ponting has played way more matches at home too. But then again you lot are wasting your time. Neither could survive in the West Indies team that Lara carried for years. He is to me the greatest batsman in this century: Ponting had an incredible team while Tendulkar was part of the fab four. Lara had absolutely no one: oh wait Chanderpaul and Sarwan. When Lara played Chanderpaul was no where near the player he is today.

A difference of two runs hardly shows one player is more consistent, and 5 tests isn't way more matches either. Not to mention the fact that anything over 50, especially after around 50+ tests, shows a world class batsman. Both are great, but in that case there is little difference away, and a big difference at home. I'd go with Ponting there.

 

[Cricketdude]

Yeh but he is Tassie born. He got his second head cut off at the age of 6, and then relised he had to leave Tasmania for a proper state

Did Ponting leave Tassie at 6?

 

[smssia0112]

No, he's just joking about the two headed thing. He got his second head cut off at 6 is what he said.

 

[nikhil_99]

Sachin no. 1 in Warne's best 100 Test players

Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar tops the list of world's best 100 Test cricketers named by legendary spinner Shane Warne in his book 'Shan
e Warne's century', which also features as many as 10 other Indians

http://cricket.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/3563159.cms

 

[angryangy]

Lara had absolutely no one: oh wait Chanderpaul and Sarwan.

Carl Hooper made more hundreds than Sarwan has and Gayle is about as good as Sarwan, too. If you think the Windies had no batsmen, spare a thought for guys like Javed Miandad, Martin Crowe or Andy Flower. I mean if the making of a great player is in how bad his team is, then Flower is easily the greatest ever. End thread.

 

[Black Magic]

Carl Hooper made more hundreds than Sarwan has and Gayle is about as good as Sarwan, too. If you think the Windies had no batsmen, spare a thought for guys like Javed Miandad, Martin Crowe or Andy Flower. I mean if the making of a great player is in how bad his team is, then Flower is easily the greatest ever. End thread.

Yep, there are a lot of superstars out there. Each team has it's own list, although there are only a few legends out there, who were just born to play the game. I'm afraid to say Ponting isn't one of them. Although having never seen the Windies, when there were at the top of their game, I'm sure all of them were superstars and some legends.

 

[shubhrayu]

Yep, there are a lot of superstars out there. Each team has it's own list, although there are only a few legends out there, who were just born to play the game. I'm afraid to say Ponting isn't one of them. Although having never seen the Windies, when there were at the top of their game, I'm sure all of them were superstars and some legends.

How can you say Punter's not a legend I doubt you follow Aussie Cricket :

 

[Cricketdude]

He lives in Australia.