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On the eve of the highly anticipated Australia versus South Africa Test series commencing this week, Australian coach Mickey Arthur took the opportunity to brand South African Jacques Kallis the best cricketer the world has ever witnessed after Sir Donald Bradman.
“Can you imagine putting Ricky Ponting and Brett Lee into the one player? That is the sort of thing you get with Jacques”, said Arthur on one of the most under-rated cricketers in the modern era.
The indefatigable all-rounder made his debut at the international level in the mid-nineties, and has gone from strength to strength in the most dignified manner, happy to let his performances do the talking.
Seventeen years, 155 Tests and 321 ODIs later, Kallis’ stats at age 37 are staggering – 12,641 Test runs at 56.94, along with 280 wickets at 32.63; to go with 11,498 ODI runs at 45.26 and 270 wickets at 31.69.
It’s worth pointing out that in the most challenging forms of cricket, his Test batting average is ahead of even Sachin Tendulkar (55.08), Brian Lara (52.88), Ricky Ponting (52.75) and Rahul Dravid (52.31).
Moreover, having played most of his cricket at home in conditions conducive to seam and swing bowling, he has scored most of his Tests runs batting at number four (8,525 runs at 64.58), which is an astounding achievement.
I’m not a fan of drawing comparisons between top players, but when you talk about modern day greats, Tendulkar’s name crops up more often that not.
Yes, Tendulkar’s genius and brilliance for over 20 years in the game has unmistakably cast a magical spell on the cricketing world, but if I had to pick a player to bat for my life, it would have to be Kallis (now that Dravid’s retired). He’s more of a match-winner, who values his wicket dearly compared to the Indian legend.
Kallis’ stats over the last 12 years are incredible. He’s scored the most centuries – 38, compared to Ponting’s 37 and Tendulkar’s 34 – but surprisingly, is constantly overshadowed by his illustrious peers.
To add spice to the Kallis versus Tendulkar debate (if there ever was one), one can argue that Tendulkar, who has played 36 more tests than the South African, has scored most of his runs on batting-friendly pitches in the sub-continent.
It’s worth pointing out that Kallis averages more than 58 in India, compared to Tendulkar’s 56.36 at home. Tendulkar has scored 33 of his 51 test centuries on the sub-continent, whereas Kallis has scored 22 of his 42 centuries on lively pitches in South Africa.
Additionally, as of 2011, Kallis’ second innings batting average was over 60, compared to Tendulkar’s second innings average of a measly 40 and Ponting’s robust 55.
But even the best players struggle in some parts of the world. Kallis has a moderate track record against England (42.7) and Australia (40), while Tendulkar has modest figures against South Africa (42.4) and Pakistan (42.2). Ponting struggles in India.
Another twist to this argument could be the bowlers these top batsmen never had to face.
Kallis didn’t have to take strike against the likes of Dale Steyn, Shaun Pollock or Allan Donald; Ponting never faced up to Brett Lee, Glenn McGrath or Shane Warne; and Tendulkar never had to deal with Anil Kumble, Srinath, Kapil Dev or Zaheer Khan.
The debate over who is the best can rage on, but in terms of how much value a player adds to a team, Kallis is the man. His all-round ability is simply unmatched, taking nothing away from the brilliance of Tendulkar and Ponting.
In what could be his last tour to Australia, it’s time that Kallis received some recognition for his achievements, because without a shadow of doubt, he is indeed a class above the rest.
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