And yet Ponting goes closer than anyone in recent memory...It's almost impossible for a batsman who's good at both to be as good at ODIs as he is at Tests, same way it's impossible for a good fingerspinner to be anywhere near as good as a good seamer.
I don't know about that. I think it'd be almost impossible for him to be perceived that way, but I don't think it'd actually be that hard for him to be so. Ponting is one such example IMO. He averages significantly more in tests than he does in ODIs - but that is to be expected given the nature of the games. He's proven himself in ODIs in all conditions and is, without much dispute other than from diehard Pietersen and Hussey fans, the best ODI batsman in the world at the moment. Despite his test achievements, he still hasn't really proven himself in India or in bowler-friendly conditions in general really, and his number one standing in that form is actually a lot more debatable in my opinion (retirement of Lara making it less so though). There's also his captaincy, which adds to his worth as a player - and that is far better in ODIs than it is in tests as far as I'm concerned. He'll be regarded as a better test player by most because:It's almost impossible for a batsman who's good at both to be as good at ODIs as he is at Tests.
No, I mean fingerspinner. A top-class wristspinner can be every bit as good as a top-class seamer.And yet Ponting goes closer than anyone in recent memory...
And you mean wrist-spinner, not seamer...
What I meant was there's the chance for batsmen to achieve far, far more in Tests than there is in ODIs. Not only can you average far higher, you can score far more runs even in fewer innings.I don't know about that. I think it'd be almost impossible for him to be perceived that way, but I don't think it'd actually be that hard for him to be so. Ponting is one such example IMO. He averages significantly more in tests than he does in ODIs - but that is to be expected given the nature of the games. He's proven himself in ODIs in all conditions and is, without much dispute other than from diehard Pietersen and Hussey fans, the best ODI batsman in the world at the moment. Despite his test achievements, he still hasn't really proven himself in India or in bowler-friendly conditions in general really, and his number one standing in that form is actually a lot more debatable in my opinion (retirement of Lara making it less so though). There's also his captaincy, which adds to his worth as a player - and that is far better in ODIs than it is in tests as far as I'm concerned. He'll be regarded as a better test player by most because:
a) It's taken more seriously generally.
b) It's easier for a good batsman to rack up big numbers in tests, even if doing so is of less significance than what said batsman does in ODIs.
I would say Tendulkar (in his prime) was as good as, or better in ODI than in Tests.It's almost impossible for a batsman who's good at both to be as good at ODIs as he is at Tests, same way it's impossible for a good fingerspinner to be anywhere near as good as a good seamer.
Well, I don't much rate ODIs but I can accept that Tendulkar was great in the format. And his records are quite amazing, with 41 centuries....the next highest is something like 28. I think a case can definitely be made that he was a better ODI player than a Test player IMO.Apart from the "who are you to say sumate like that" bit... no way IMO.
Bit harsh on Hussey there IMHO. Admittedly he's still really only just beginning his test career, but it's been freakishly successful thus far.Tendulkar's a significantly better ODI than test batmsan IMO. Totally agree with SS. I'd also point out Hussey and Pietersen as more "current" examples of players who are successful in both forms but whose achievements in ODIs are far more notable at this point in time.
No, I mean fingerspinner. A top-class wristspinner can be every bit as good as a top-class seamer.
Tendulkar's not even the best ODI player of his generation - there were times in his Test career where he was streets ahead of everyone else, even Lara and Stephen Waugh.Well, I don't much rate ODIs but I can accept that Tendulkar was great in the format. And his records are quite amazing, with 41 centuries....the next highest is something like 28. I think a case can definitely be made that he was a better ODI player than a Test player IMO.