Jaques Kallis. The best ?

[Nikhil]

Coming back to the original post, I think Kallis does deserve to be world's leading batsman *at this moment*. I say *at this moment* because the rest of his competetors are not involved in test cricket right now.

If you ask me though, I would not really talk about him, when I talk about the best modern test batsmen. He offers a substantial stability to the SA batting line up, but is still not the among the best. His record against the Aussies is pretty poor, and his average (if that is considered to be the decisive criterion), is inflated by his runs against the WI and Zim bowlings. The statement above has been countered many times by stating Sachin's average against SA.

But then, Kallis has not given to SA as much as Sachin has given to Indian batting line.

[10dulker]

it doesnt matter how quik you bowl you still have to be an asset to you team by taking wickets and bowling well not the custard he bowls

[10dulker]

this is true he is the best at the moment (batting)but he hasnt done that well against aussies and what is his record on sub continent i'll be suprised if its decent.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

yes nikhil he is the best at the moment because his competitors are on a rest! but saying that he is still a quality batsman and deserves to be there at the moment and in top 3 for sure.

[Rachael]

Originally Posted by Milo

Rachael, once again you make these fanciful comments without any thought for what they mean. If you really think Kallis is anywhere near that of Steve Waugh then you are probably very much on your own.

I'm happy to defer to you on this, Milo... but I don't think the comparison between Kallis and Steve Waugh is as ludicrous as you seem to suggest. It's something I'd like to hear someone like Atherton discuss: I'd not be surprised to hear them back you up.. but I'd not bet my house on it.

At the age of 29 (Kallis' age) Steve Waugh was not a patch on what Kallis is now...

Steve Waugh: filter is to 29th birthday

Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 0
unfiltered 168 260 46 10927 200 199 177* 51.06 32 50 22
filtered 65 98 18 3495 177* 164 157* 43.68 7 19 9

Now compare his return after he rached kallis' age:

filtered 103 162 28 7432 200 199 170 55.46 25 31 13

In Waugh's early years time the real force in World cricket was clearly the WI.. and his record against them prior to his 29th birthday was indifferent:

v West Indies 12 21 2 591 100 91 90 31.10 1 3 1

I certainly take your point that Waugh faced tougher attacks than Kallis has had to face.. but equally... Kallis has increasingly had to carry his otherwise indifferent side through every series he's played (some burden). Sure, he's going to have to carry on in the same vein to cement the sort of status Waugh managed.. but it strikes me he's doing that pretty well right now.

Kallis (now 29): filter is last 2 years

Mat I NO Runs HS1 HS2 HS3 Ave 100 50 0

unfiltered 85 143 23 6656 189* 177 162 55.46 19 34 7
filtered 19 36 5 2170 177 162 158 70.00 8 9 2

v Australia 12 23 2 685 101 99 73 32.61 1 4 1

As you've noted many time.. the stats only tell half the story... but the half they DO tell (allied to what we've been hearing about his technique and temperament) suggest he's not one to underestimate.

[John]

At the moment Kallis isn't quite there with Steve Waugh, but if his batting form goes as has been going the last few months and coutinues for another eighteen months you will certainly be able to draw comparison.
As for Tendulkar niether of them compare. Basically Tendulkar style is far more attractive.
John

[Paoli]

It doesn't matter essentially how you do against Australia.

I mean, how did Bradman (gasp) or Steve Waugh go against Australia??? They never played them!!!

So, you can't be judged on a few tests against Australia. Cos we'd never judge Ricky Ponting on his form in india.

[Shaka]

I think a better description would be best all rounder. But he's certainly in the running for best player as well. His batting is just awesome and while his bowling isn't quite of the same standard, it's certainly very useful.

[John]

Kallis would certainly be on the list of great allrounders. His batting is very good and he has done enough with his bowling. Anyone who gets over 100 Test wickets qualifys in the bowling department has to be considered an allrounder if he bats as well as Kallis.

[Rahul_Dravid_is_No.1]

Out it this way, Giles just got his 100th wicket in 2004. he is a full time bowler and kallis is quite a relunctant bowler and can still get more wickets than the newly christened 'king of spin'