Cricket - The Greatest Debate

“THE GREATEST DEBATE”

As a sports loving South African, I’ve come to rely on two rules of thumb.

(1) Believe in God, but lock your car (Especially if you’re going to be leaving your car outside a sporting ground for the best part of two hours);

(2) Never (NEVER!!!!!) trust an Australian.

Rule #1 is self-explanatory... Hello!!! I live in Africa. When parking your vehicle in South Africa, (Anywhere in South Africa. Yes, even when you’re just stopping for a 5 minute drop and run) lock your car!!

For Rule #2 see Steve Waugh, Shane Warne, Ricky Ponting, the Australian Prime Minister, Mel Gibson, etc. Seriously, go and google these “famous” Australian personalities. Look at their faces. These men can’t be trusted. If South Africa truly is the crime capital of the world, (I always question this often quoted stat. I’m 26 years old, lived in South Africa my whole life, house was broken into three times, car stolen once, car radio stolen once, robbed by knife point once... Okay maybe I shouldn’t question that stat. But I’m still alive. Yes, you get my point. Thank you.) Now where was I... If South African truly is the crime capital of the world, let us not forget that the founding fathers of Australia were hardened criminals who were shipped to a god-forsaken island. Also, since 1994 thousands of South Africans who were happy living in South Africa under the sadistic apartheid government, have emigrated to Australia and were warmly embraced in their “new found land”. The point being I like Mel Gibson, but I don’t trust him.

I will be the first to admit that I’ve broken Rule #1 (See above – car stolen once. Sigh.) , but i’ve never trusted an Australian. Never.

Okay point made. Now for the sporting debate. Donald Bradman – The Greatest Cricketer Ever????

For as long as I can remember (Quick check: Sporting memory A+; Real life memory F-. Too many Castle lagers. Long story. Don’t remember much of it), we (the Rest of the cricketing world besides Australia) have been told (mostly by Australians + told not advised) that Sir Donald is the greatest all-time cricket player to ever grace the oval field. They (the Australians) beat their hairy chests (starting to feel sick) and point to the Donald’s most impressive stat – 99.9 batting average. Look it is impressive, I’m not even going to try to argue against it. There’s no point, the man was a great. But greatest of all-time??? Hmm...

I (a South African) beg to differ mate.

No disrespect to Mr. Bradman, who played before helmets and other technological developments in the cricketing world, but let us not forget what else D. Bradman played without:

• A cricket mad and savvy subcontinent. There have been players who arrive on the subcontinental grounds with fantastic batting averages and even better reputations. Only to leave broken players, with holes in their techniques having been exposed and weaker batting averages. The emergence of the subcontinent superpowers – Pakistan (they are still playing cricket right?); India and Sri Lanka took place well after the Don’s time. The cricketing world has forever changed since their emergence.

• The fielding in the modern era. These days not only do all players dive with regularity and increasing effectiveness to stop runs and take catches (imagine that Mr. Bradman), but the modern day fielder will often turn around and chase a ball that has beaten the inner ring of fielders so as to stop boundaries. (I agree Donald, it’s unbelievable I tell you).

• South Africa are good. Very good. The days are fast nearing when South Africa will not only be the best test match nation in the world. South Africa will also boast the best bowler in the world (Dale Steyn – currently number 1), the best batsman and captain in the world (Graeme Smith – currently in the top three). The facts are simple. The current South African cricketing side is good, very good. Since South Africa’s re-admission into the cricketing world, the gold and green have consistently had an impressive fast bowling attack and green pitches that have terrorised many superstars of world cricket. (Drawid – 35.33 Avg. vs SA, Lara – 46.72 Avg. vs SA, Tendulkar – 36.42 vs SA, and on his last tour of SA the much heralded Kevin Pietersen averaged in the mid 20’s) The overwhelming fact is that Donald (Sir) would have found it extremely hard to sustain his 99.9 batting average vs the post re-admission South African sides.

Now what makes a cricketer a contender for the greatest of all-time? Sure he’d have to be exceptional at either his batting craft or bowling skill. Perhaps even just a great fielder (See Jonty Rhodes). What if one player was exceptional and great at all three facets of the game. A feared batsmen. A wicket taking bowler. A superb fielder. Donald Bradman?? No. Bradman only took 2 wickets during his entire international career. The Don did average a catch a game, so he was clearly a good fielder. Sir Donald Bradman – 2 out of three. A great player no doubt. The greatest cricketer ever??? Hmm...

For more years than anyone can remember , a man by the name of Jacques Kallis has been rated as the best all round cricketer currently playing the game. This leads to the obvious question. If Jacques Kallis has been the best allrounder in world cricket for the best part of 10 plus years (nevermind the rankings, just ask anyone with a decent knowledge of the game), then shouldn’t Mr. Kallis be considered when determining the greatest cricketer of all time?

Let’s put J. Kallis to the test. He can bat (Very, very, very well). He can bowl (at his prime 140km/h plus and bowling first change). He can catch (Perhaps the greatest slip fielder of all time. If your life depended on a catch, wouldn’t you want to see a ball headed in the direction of Jacques Kallis? My hand is raised).

So that’s the simple argument for Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer of all time. He bats. He bowls. He catches. You need more??????? Since cricket is a game of stats here are some stats to chew on (Stats as of December 2009):

Tests: 135 matches; 281 innings, 10 640 runs, batting avg. 54.56, 33 – 100’s, 52 – 50’s;
ODI’s: 295 matches; 281 innings, 10 409 runs, batting avg. 45.25, 16 – 100’s, 74 – 50’s;

Combines batting stats:
430 matches, 509 innings, 21 409 runs, batting avg. 49.905, 49 – 100’s, 126 – 50’s.

He can bowl too.
Tests: 135 matches, 224 innings, 260 wickets, bowling avg. 31.40, 4wickets/inn. – 7;
ODI’s: 295 matches, 258 innings, 248 wickets, bowling avg. 32.40, 4wickets/inn. – 2;

Combined bowling stats:
430 matches, 482 innings, 518 wickets, bowling avg. 31.75, 4wickets/inn. – 9.

You need more convincing????? He can catch. (I never did trust Australians).

Postscript:
Bradman’s stats.
Batting Stats:
Tests: 52 matches, 6996 runs, batting avg. 99.94, 29 – 100’s, 13 – 50’s;
ODI’s: 0 matches, o runs, batting avg. 0.00, 0 – 100’s, 0 -50’s.

Bowling stats:
Tests: 160 balls bowled, 2 wickets;
ODI’s: 0 balls bowled, 0 wickets.

I rest my case. Rule #2 – Never trust an Australian.