Quote:[size=12pt]"I used to look at Brian and try to learn a thing or two from him. But I couldn't do everything he did. He is an amazing batsman. Some of the shots he went out there and played I can't play them. If I try to play them I might get out. He is a genius and not everyone can play the shots he played." Shiv Chanderpaul[/size]
[quote author=Strokemaker link=topic=92660.msg587661#msg587661 date=1410587619]
Lara was one of the finest batsman of world cricket. Besides, the both were lefties.
[/quote]
* [size=18pt]The cricket world has seen 5 EXTRAORDINARY BATTING GREATS[/size]---these are batsmen who have dominated their respective eras.
There are many batsmen who have ended their careers with great numbers---Ponting, Kallis, Dravid, Kallis, Waugh, Border, Gavaskar, Sangakkara, Shiv, etc, etc---- are statistical greats----but the 5 above---Bradman, Sobers, Richards, Lara and Tendulkar----they are extraordinary greats.
[quote author=Mail link=topic=92660.msg587917#msg587917 date=1410652465]
One cannot argue with Bradman's numbers but my concern is the lack of opposotions and different conditions.
I think he may have only played either in England or Australia.
I do not base greatness on numbers.
[/quote]
* Greatness is clearly subjective ---it is foolish arguing who is great and who is not.
* I have selected 5 batsmen who dominated their respective eras----Bradman, Sobers, Richards, Lara and Tendulkar---those are the real GREATS in my book.
* BUT SUCCESS CAN BE QUANTIFIED.
* Fans are free to argue about runs, average, consistency, hundreds, fifties, etc, etc