After listing the all-rounders I rate as 10 through six yesterday, today I finish with my top five all-rounders since 1970.
5. Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand) – 86 Tests, 3124 runs at 27.2 with two centuries and 15 half-centuries, highest score 151no, 431 wickets at 22.3, 36 5-wicket innings and 9 10-wicket matches, best bowling in an innings 9/52, best bowling in a match 15/123
Without Hadlee the New Zealand side of his era would have been a shadow of itself. As a bowler he carried the Black Caps’ attack almost singlehandedly for over 15 years, retiring with a then-world record number of wickets.
From a genuine fast bowler, over time he reined his pace and became a master of swing. His patient stump-to-stump line often proved too much for opposing batsmen.
At the Gabba in 1985/86, he turned in one of the most devastating displays in his history with hauls of nine and six wickets. In 23 Tests against Australia he took his 130 wickets at 20.6, while taking 51 wickets at 22.0 against the mighty West Indies.
He was a swashbuckler with the bat, with his best coming against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 1986-87. He averaged 32.4 against the Windies and over 50 in both Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
4. Kapil Dev (India) – 131 Tests, 5248 runs at 31.1, eight centuries and 27 half-centuries, HS 163, 434 wickets at 29.6, 23 5WI, 2 10WM, BBI 9/83, BBM 11/146
Without doubt Kapil is the finest pace bowler to have come out of India. While never express, he bowled medium-fast with a lethal out-swinger, often on flat and dusty pitches at home.
Given that conditions were seldom in his favour, he averaged less than four wickets per Test. His nine in an innings came in Ahmedabad against West Indies in 1983-84.
He was also devastating with the ball against the Windies with his 89 wickets coming at 24.9. Strangely, given his style of bowling, he struggled in England where he played 13 Tests for 43 wickets at 39.2.
He was a hard-hitting batsman who loved to wind-up and hit the ball high and long. His top-score came in Kanpur against Sri Lanka in 1986-87.
3. Sir Ian Botham (England) – 102 Tests, 5200 runs at 33.5 with 14 centuries and 22 half-centuries, HS 208, 383 wickets at 28.4, 27 5WI and 4 10WM, BBI 8/34, BBM 13/106
The 1981 Ashes series will always remembered as Botham’s high watermark, with his powerful hitting to the fore. After a slow start to the series he resigned the captaincy and then went on to demolish the Australians.
His unbeaten 149 at Headingley became cricketing folklore as he enabled England to win after following-on. He followed up with 118 at Old Trafford as well capturing 28 wickets in the final four Tests.
He loved the challenge of playing Australia, which he did 35 times for 148 wickets at 27.6, including nine five-wicket hauls. He destroyed Pakistan at Lord’s in 1978 with 8/34.
Botham was all-shoulder in his bowling action and able to generate considerable pace allied to away swing. Against the West Indies his 61 wickets cost 35.2.
He never coped too well with the bat against the Windies with an average of 21.4 from 38 innings. He was superb in India, scoring 554 runs in seven Tests at 61.6. Against India in Mumbai in 1979-80 he became the first player to score a century and take ten wickets in the one match – 114, 6/58 and 7/48. He also snapped up 120 catches.
Botham’s match-winning ability tailed off as his career went on but in his pomp he was a player all opponents feared.
2. Imran Khan (Pakistan) – 88 Tests, 3807 runs at 37.7 with six centuries and 18 half-centuries, HS 136, 362 wickets at 22.8, 23 5WI and 6 10WM, BBI 8/58, BBM 14/116
Imran was the epitome of the glamour sportsman – tall, good-looking and ultra-attacking. He was the cornerstone of Pakistan’s team for two decades, including a 48 Test reign as skipper.
He was a devastating fast bowler who bowled from wide of the crease with lethal inswing and cut off the pitch. Against the powerful West Indian outfit at the time he captured 80 wickets in 18 Tests at a mere 21.2, while against arch-rival India his 94 scalps cost 24.0. He averaged 19.2 at home and 25.8 away.
He was dashing with the bat – his highest innings coming against Australia at Adelaide in 1989-90. While his bowling was highly effective against West Indies, his runs came at 27.7.
At home in Pakistan he averaged 45.3 against a touring average of 33.8. Against India in Faisalabad in 1982/83, he became the second and most recent player to score a century and claim ten wickets in the one Test – 117, 6/98 and 5/82.
Where some players struggle in the latter half of their career, Imran did the opposite. In his last 50 Tests he averaged 50 with the bat and 19 with the ball.
1. Jacques Kallis (South Africa) – 160 Tests, 13,048 runs at 56.7 with 44 centuries and 57 half-centuries, HS 224, 285 wickets at 32.4, 5 5WI, BBI 6/54, BBM 9/92
While he lacks the flare of many of those listed above, cricket’s Mr Indestructible has compiled a most incredible set of numbers – in fact on raw figures he compares exceptionally favourably with the man regarded as the greatest all-rounder of all-time – Sir Garfield Sobers.
Kallis’ run career aggregate is fourth all-time behind Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Rahul Dravid, while only Tendulkar (51) has posted more centuries.
Kallis possesses a classical technique, and in many ways, compiles his runs in the old-fashioned way, hence his strike rate of 46. Yet, in spite of that, his 97 career sixes is second only to Adam Gilchrist (100).
He has been incredibly successful on the sub-continent, averaging 83.1 in Pakistan and 58.2 in India. His overall average in 29 Tests against Australia is 48.2.
With the ball he can be deceptively quick, with a powerful upper body compensating for a limited run-up. Even today he can still hit 140km/h.
He averages in the mid-30s against both Australia and England. He has also claimed 193 catches to sit at number four all-time.
So, there you have it.
Once again Roarers, over to you.
Amil
Guest
The three bowling all rounders Imran , kapil ,Botham are simply the best among all all rounders .
sr smith
Guest
Just a clarification on my comment: Jacques kallis scored around 13500 test runs, and took around 290 test wickets. Thus, by my arbitrary equivalency of 1 wicket = 25 runs, He would have a career equivalent score of 290 x 25 = around 7500 Plus 13500 = 21000 runs or 840 wickets. Similarly Shane warne, 708 wickets x 25 = around 17500 Plus his career 3500 runs (approximate) = 21000 runs or 840 wickets. This is just my humble suggestion for a way to assess a player's overall contribution across runs AND wickets, OK! (Thank you)
sr smith
Guest
Which is the most OBJECTIVE method to determine the greatest all-rounder? If we were to assign an arbitrary equivalency of 1 wicket = 25 runs, then we get the very fair equivalency over a whole career, that 400 wickets = 10,000 runs. Assuming a minimum of 2500 runs and 200 wickets to qualify as an all-rounder, the career achievements of most leading all-rounders can thus be quantitatively compared. It will be seen that Jacques kallis and Shane warns score a very high combined score -- around 21000 runs or 840 wickets equivalence -- because they have an extraordinary number of one (runs/wickets) and a very decent number of the other. It can be considered an index of total value to the team over an entire career. Whereas the 'great four' all-rounders of the 80's will be found to have an equivalency score between 12500 and 16000. It is also notable that for so many years kallis played as the best batsman of his team AND also as the 3rd or 4th seamer. So his teams were basically playing with 12 players most of the time -- Which they more often (wisely) used to play 5 bowlers rather than the extra batsman, making the attack even more potent. It is debatable whether any of the great bowling all-rounders could bat in the top order and be consistently said to serve as '2 full players in one' in quite the same way as kallis did? However, the overall match-winning impact of an all-rounder is very difficult to measure through statistics. And then of course, 'greatness' is a very elusive quality to define and compare across the decades... Though who is 'the greatest' will be long debated, everyone agrees that they are all GREAT players!
SC
Guest
Kallis is arguably the best batsman of his era, and therefore has to be in the discussion of all time greatest batsman nevermind all-rounder.Now add almost 300 wickets and again arguably the best ever slip fielder. Every time he plays odds and statistics say that he will score more runs than Pointing, Lara or Tendulkar and about the same as Sobers(greatest of all time right). He will also play a bigger role in the field than any of them, taking more catches at a greater success rate. He will also take more wickets at a much better strike rate than Sobers. I am South African and perhaps a bit bias, but if you are trying to find the best all-rounder,the most complete cricketer Kallis is your man. There will never be a bigger hole left than the one Kallis will leave in the SA team when he retires. And thats in the #1 ranked test team
Harsh Thakor
Guest
I wish to share with readers who would be their first choice to replace Gary Sobers in an all-time 11.Personally i think Jacques Kallis would be my first choice.Kallis,may not posess the match-winning flair of a Botham or Imran or the dashing flamboyance of Kapil Dev but in performances he is a giant.He is hard and shoulders above any batsman bar Gary Sobers amongst the all-rounders,while with the ball at his best his medium-pace has been lethal .His batting may not be exciting but to bat for your life he could equal or not surpass Sobers and occasional win games.In the early part of his career he gave some outstanding all-round performances combining bat with ball. Statistically Kallis is the best all-rounder of all.He has been under -rated by cricket experts who place him around 52nd place amongst the 100 best cricketers or Armstrong who places him at 72nd place.Armstrong states that Kallis was not outstanding with at and ball silmuntaneously.He forgets however that the trend in the great Imran Khan's career was similar .Imran championed the cause with the bat after 1988 when his bolwing declined.True Kallis lacked the charisma of Botham or Imran but he made some outstanding contribution sto his team.With the bat his figures stand compariosn with Tendulkar .Remember Kallis plays in an era where pitches are flat and it is a completely different scenario from the times of 1970 when far greater seam movement was prevalent.He also is part of a team with a lethal bowling attack.Today twice as much cricket is played so it is hard for Kallis to carry the load of batting and bowling.Kallis,will not be on the same pedestal as Gary Sobers,having never equalled Sober's all-round efforts,bowling versatality and batting flamboyanceTrue Kallis is not an artist in the Sobers mould or does not poesess half his flair but objectively he is Gary Sober's closest rival.He would not turn a match with the same flair as Sobers but his effectiveness could have even been on par.Never forget Kallis has taken 5 wickets and scored a century twice in tests and has dominated some series with both bat and ball.Versus West Indies in Capetwon in 1999 he scored a century and a fifty and took five wickets.In taht series in 1999 he captured 17 wickets at 17.58 and averaged 70 with the bat.Verus Bangladesh he scored an unbeaten 139 nad captured 7 wickest at Potchesfstroom in October 2002.In England in 1998 he scored 294 run,including a 132 at Old Trafford and captured 11 wickets at 27.82. Ian Botham was at his best the best of match-winners and most like Sobers but was ably assisted by seaming or grassy pitches.Imran Khan would win you more matches than Kallis but then he was basically a great fast bowler for most of his career.Kallis,at times has shared the new ball which is remarkable.In addition he has borne the load of one day Internationals,which is remarkable. Since Sir Garfield Sobers no cricketer at his peak turned the course of a match more than Ian Botham.In full flow he was Gary Sober’s incarnation more than any cricketer.Few cricketers ever exuberated such passion for the game or entertained spectators so much.Botham was arguably the most entertaining cricketer after Sir Garfield Sobers.He was the equivalent of Hercules to the game of cricket.Botham was the most explosive cricketer of his generation and reminded you of a star in a Hollywood film.In full flow he made the impact of thunder and lightning on a cricket field. In his heyday he would stride to the wicket like an emperor walking. With the bat he would launch the aggression of an Olympic boxer like a bomber raiding an airbase and with the ball he would come steaming in like a tank in a battle.He struck thunder and lightning on a cricket field.He also took some unbelievable slip catches.Botham always to the game to the opponent.Technically he was sound with a huge penchant for drives and hook shots.N o pace bowler was as intelligent as Botham in his era and he superbly analysed his opponents weaknesses.Above all he enjoyed his cricket more than anyone.It was appropriate that Botham started his test career with a blemish capturing 5 wickets ,with Australian skipper Greg Chappel his first victim.He also scored a fifty in that series. Who can ever forget the 1980 Jubilee test.England were scuttling at 58-5 after dismissing India for a paltry 242.Botham’s 114 in a record stand with Bob Taylor took England to 296.Botham then came steaming in like a guerilla and captured 7-49 as India crashed to 149.Botham had taken 13 wickets in the match and scored a century-the greatest all-round performance ever.It was like one man turning the destiny of a war.The game will be written forever in the annals of cricket history. In the 1981Ashes Botham gave the greatest all-round performance ever b y a cricketer in a single test series. Botham reminded you of a military commander taking his battalion on the verged of certain defeat to victory .He literally revived a ship sinking and resurrected England from the grave.After resigning from the captaincy his batting and bowling single-handedly turned 3 matches for England.who were one down before the 3rd test.At Headingley in the 3rd tset his 149not out took England from 133-7 to 351 after they followed on 227 run s behind in the 1st Innings. Then Bob Willis’s menacing spell of 9-43 won the game for England by 18 runs after Australia were dismissed for 111 runs. Botham’s innings was not technically the soundest but was a brilliant adaptation on an untrue pitch,with cracks and an uneven bounce. He launched a blistering assault with a series of drives, cuts, and hook shots with the effect of an executioner beheading his convicts. At Edgbaston in the 4th test Australia were coasting home at 114-5 chasing 151 runs to w in. Then Botham came in like a tornado emerging and captured 5 wickets for 1 run.The euphoria around the stadium was undescribable.At Old Trafford he scored 118 runs of 102 balls in one of the finest innings from a technical point of view. Some of his hook shots of Dennis Lillee were unbelievable as well as his drives.Botham’s figures in the 4 tests after he was relinquished from the captaincy were 265 runs at 52.14 with the bat (2 centuries)and 28 wickets at 19.69 with the ball.(3 5wkt hauls) The impact Botham made on the nation was like that of a famous political leader reviving the nation.It was at the time of an economic depression.I can’t describe how it lifted the spirits of the common Englishman. Botham’s main flaw was his inability to conquer West Indies the best team of his era.However I attribute that to the pressures he faced as a captain.In 1980 at home against the Calypsos and 1980-81 in the Carribean he was hardly at his best with bat and ball.His figures were somewhat flattered in the Kerry Packer era playing a 6 test Ashes series against a 2nd string Australian team down under in 1978-79 and against a weak Pakistan team at home in 1978when he captured 8-34 and scored 108 in a test at Lords.Apart from his figures in Bombay Botham never excelled as a bowler on the sub-continent. In 1982 in England although at his best he was marginally eclipsed by Kapil Dev and convincingly surpassed by Imran Khan .In that season Imran was the undoubted star.However his 208 against India at the Oval was a true classic compiled with the regality of an emperor.He tore a depleted attack making them look like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse.His drives were truly majestic.His 9 wickets in seaming conditions and 57 runs also were a significant contribution to England’s win at Leeds in the 3rd test . Although after 1982 Botham declined he still gave some sterling performances.In Lords in 1984 versus the West Indies he scored 81runs and captured 8-103 in a losing cause. His 138 at Brisbane in 1986-87 and his 5 wicket haul in the 4th test won the Ashes for England.He was even dominant in a home Ashes series in 1985.However he never made a notable impact in West Indies on any tour or at home. Ian Botham from 1977-1982 was the best all-rounder after Gary Sobers.Even Gary did not equal Botham’s herculean efforts in the 1980 Jubilee test and 1981 Ashes.In Richard Sydenham’s book of best cricket elevens selected by 100 cricketers 18 players have chosen Botham in their all –time 11.Dean Jones selected him calling him the most complete cricketer he ever saw.Pakistani stalwarts like Abdul Qadir,Saed Anwar and Mushtaq Ahmed chose Botham to join Imran Khan in an all-time 11 as well as Dilip Vengsarkar.Non –English Cricketers like,Barry Richards,Mike Procter,Martin Crowe,Dean Jones,Jeff Thomson,Alan Donald,Shaun Pollock chose Ian Botham in their all-time.11 which did not include Imran Khan.However the West Indian stalwarts mainly placed Imran Khan in their all-time 11 ,including Malcolm Marshall,Michael Holding and Joel Garner.So did most of the Indian heroes like Ravi Shastri and Kapil Dev.Richard Hadlee and Geoff Boycott rated Imran marginally ahead of Botham.John Woodcock placed Botham as the 10th best cricketer of all above Imran Khan and Keith Miller while Cristopher Martin Jenkins placed him at 18th place,below Imran and Miller. In my view overall at his peak Botham was definitely 2nd to Sober’s 2nd but overall it was close finish between Botham,Kallis and Imran .Botham score 14 centuries in addition to his 383 wickets and 27 ,5 wicket hauls.From 1981-87 Imran Khan eclipsed Ian Botham and above all achieved his pinnacle as a skipper.Imran was as much a match-winner as a cricketer as Botham was from 1977-82 and a great leader.Above all he was at his best versus the mighty West Indies.Against top opposition Imran Khan and Kapil Dev eclipsed Ian Botham as both were outstanding versus the best team of that era, the West Indies.No cricketer has taken 5 wickets and scored a century on 5 occasions like Botham.However on overall figures Imran and Kallis eclipse Botham.With both bat and ball in match or in a series Botham was ahead but in overall consistency Kallis and Imran were better.In an all-time team cricket experts of cricinfo chose Imran in the 2nd 11(Botham not in any 11) while personally I would prefer Imran Khan joining Sobers in an all-time 11 being a fast bowling all-rounder.If I didn’t have Gary Sobers then I may well choose Jacques Kallis at no5 or Ian Botham at no 7 as an all-rounder to replace Gary Sobers.I rate Botham a better batsman than any all-rounder in his era who could win matches with the bat. No doubt Imran Khan was the better bowler.I think in many ways Kapil Dev resembled Ian Botham more than anyone. Definitely with his prowess as a captain Imran Khan would be rated the better cricketer overall. Sadly today several pundits and readers under-rate Botham who was certainly even if not his equal or better atleast a shade behind Jacques Kallis or Imran Khan. Arguably in his era he radiated joy more than any cricketer. In his peak he was Sober’s closest incarnation.To me he was the 4th greatest English cricketer of all behind Grace Hobbs and Hammond . A career of two distinct halves Runs Average 100s/ 50s Wickets Average 5WI/ 10WM First 51 Tests 2833 38.80 11/ 10 231 23.06 19/ 4 Next 37 Tests 1976 31.36 3/ 11 135 33.85 8/ 0 Last 14 Tests 391 20.57 0/ 1 17 57.52 0/ 0 Career (102 Tests) 5200 33.54 14/ 22 383 28.40 27/ During the six years when Botham was at his peak, he was the best of the four allrounders going around during that period. Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and Richard Hadlee were tremendous too - though Hadlee's best was to come later - but none of them matched Botham's consistency with bat and ball. During this period, the difference between Botham's batting and bowling average was 12.59. Imran and Hadlee had better bowling averages, but neither matched Botham as a batsman (though Imran's best as a batsman was to come later). The four leading allrounders between Jan 1977 and Dec 1982 Player Tests Runs Average 100s/ 50s Wickets Average 5WI/ 10WM Diff in ave Ian Botham 58 3229 37.11 11/ 13 262 24.52 20/ 4 12.59 Imran Khan 37 1429 29.16 1/ 4 186 21.79 13/ 3 7.37 Kapil Dev 44 1904 32.82 2/ 11 172 29.68 13/ 1 3.14 Richard Hadlee 23 767 21.91 1/ 4 114 23.22 11/ 2 -1.31 England had a few other top-class batsmen in their side in the late 1970s and early 1980s, but Botham's stats were good enough during this period to have got him into the side as a specialist batsman alone. In the seven years between 1977 and 1982, Botham's batting average was 37.11, a number that was topped by only three England batsmen. Geoff Boycott and David Gower were the only ones to average in the 40s, while Graham Gooch's average was only marginally ahead of Botham's. What's also incredible is the kind of conversion rate Botham managed, despite batting fairly low down the order: he scored 11 hundreds in 58 Tests, an average of 5.3 Tests per hundred. Gooch and Gower, on the other hand, averaged about 10 Tests per century, while Chris Tavare did even worse, scoring only one hundred in 21 matches during this period. In an all time team if I didn't have Gary Sobers I would have Kallis bating at no 5 with his great batting prowess.If not an executioner he would play the role of an architect of the team's cause.His fast-medium bowling would also come in of great use.Had Kallis played in the 1970's he may well have been the best of that era with more favourable bowling conditions for bowling and less cricket.f I made 2nd 11 my 1st choice would be Kallis. Jacques Kallis's figures Batting and fielding averages Mat Inns NO Runs HS Ave BF SR 100 50 4s 6s Ct St Tests 157 266 40 12941 224 57.26 28174 45.93 44 56 1444 95 190 0 ODIs 321 307 53 11498 139 45.26 15756 72.97 17 85 903 136 125 0 Bowling averages Mat Inns Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10 Tests 157 260 19437 9186 282 6/54 9/92 32.57 2.83 68.9 7 5 0 ODIs 321 280 10636 8558 270 5/30 5/30 31.69 4.82 39.3 2 2 0 My 2nd choice to replace Sobers would be Ian Botham,ideally at no 6 .Botham could win matches with both bat and ball like nobody else in his time.Imran may have been a better player but was a great fast-bowling all-rounder.Again if I wanted an allrounder at no 7 or no 8 then Imran Khan would be my first choice with his great pace bowling prowess.He had arguably better technique than Kapil Dev or in Botham but not the same ability to dominate the ball.True the Imran of 1981-1987 was the best allrounder and an automatic selection but he was not as his peak as a batsman.Imran was also an outstanding skipper,way ahead of Botham,Dev or Hadlee in his time. Had Kapil Dev played for England and Australia he may well have surpassed Ian Botham with his outstanding prodigious swing and great skill in taking bowling attacks to the shreds.Taking 400 wickets ,over half on the sub-continent is something outstanding.He also made some hurricane,bucaneering scores with the bat like at Lords in 1982,against Zimbabwe in the 1983 world cup,versus South Africa in 1982 etc. Richard Hadlee was the best ever pace bowler amongst allrounders and at his best a very effective batsman.He was very much in the Imran Khan mould.A very strong candidate for a 2nd 11 at no 7 or 8.In my 2nd 11 I may place Hadlee to join Kallis,just as I would vote Imran to join Sobers in the 1st 11,with his fast bowling prowess. .
bigbaz
Guest
agreed.
jimmy
Guest
His true worth was never realised. If he had played in a team like SA we would have appreciated his abilities much more.
jimmy
Guest
No way.
Jason
Guest
Are you talking about Moneyball? They almost certainly would have picked a bowling all rounder.
sheek
Roar Guru
Bigbaz, Apologies for getting the nome de plume wrong. Nor do I really think we're disagreeing on too many things. With blogs, it's sometimes too easy to misinterpret what someone else is saying, especially if you're trying to be economical with words. I have the greatest admiration for guys like Barrington, or Kallis, or Boycott, or any number of those types of batsmen. They are essential in every team. This much I would never disagree with. All I'm saying is that I generally prefer to watch a different type of player. Not less talented, but more flamboyant.
Trev
Roar Rookie
Heath Streak is underrated in these debates. Pretty much carried a sides bowling attack in 65 Tests taking 216 wickets but alos scored 1 hundred and 11 50s. He probably wouldn't replace anyone on the list but his a name worth mentioning.
Kris
Guest
Well that's a great list. Well done and looking forward to best captains and keepers cause those roles have changed significantly over last few decades and it would be interesting to debate over these topics of discussion. As for the all-rounder's list.. I mostly agree with your choices apart from the kallis-imran thingy. I personally believe that Iran was a much effective player than kallis. A) main strike bowler and also the most feared for major part of his career B) got effective with age C) pretty destructive batsmen and most importantly D) Big match player
Jammel
Guest
Agree. Kallis is a batting all rounder who bowls. Imran. And hadlee botham dev. Are all better genuine all rounders. Probably Wasim and Marshall too!!
Phillip
Guest
On the first day God created cricket. After many years, disappointed that perfection had still not been achieved by man, he gave us Kallis.
Jimmy
Guest
Just saw the movie "Money". Has relevance to this debate. Guess who they would have selected as the all rounder. Big money at stake.Big reputations at stake. Hard nosed analysis of the stats. When the chips are down you take the guy who can walk the walk everytime.
Beardan
Roar Guru
The top 5 are simply great cricketers. Hadlee was a brilliant bowler and handy bat. Imran a great leader. Botham on his day could win you test by himself. Kapil Dev was quality and the boring but effective Kallis is a machine. Easy to pick top 5 and the order not too bad. Hadlee i'd have higher. What a brilliant bowler.
pope paul v11
Guest
PS when I say "Both" i mean Botham.
pope paul v11
Guest
The batting allrounder vs the bowling allrounder. It's interesting. Kallis is a batsman. Not only a sound batsman but the one wit h the patience of Job. Also he may well know fear but he's not impressed. Supreme at letting the bowler do the work and no shortage of punishment. Along the way, as a more than medium medium fast bowler he was very good. He was never a frontline bowler though. Imran was a bowler. He was expected to bung them down as a frontliner and did. His batting was a happy adjunct. Both is amazing, Always a bowler, i thought. However those 14 100s are terrific.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
Are you implying Lara struggled in Asia?
DCO
Guest
Johnno, good points on Streak and Andy Flower. Their performances are underrated and fantastic given the lack of support of other quality players.