I only put Viv in their for something to do?
People get mixed up with Charisma, style and flair, versus performance. Not saying Viv didnt perform, but I dont think he's up their with the greats...
Its a bit like Lillie V McGrath. Now Dennis looked cool, had a beautiful action, the gold chain flapping, but his record isn't a pinch on McGraths.
The problem is, that when comparing opposition, we get selective. People now days say that "...Oh the batsmen have higher averages because pitches are flatter, Bat Technology, poor opposition, etc. etc. So using that logic, McGrath's record is even more impressive...But yet the same people will say that Lillie was better???!!!!! It defies Logic.
You say how would Ponting go against the Aussie attack. Then i would say, how would Viv go against his West Indian attack !
That is why Stats dont lie. Stats over a short period can lie, but the longer the period, the more true they become. I think Ponting has been playing long enough to warrant his greatness...
Everything else is subjective and open to personal opinion. Most of which has no true basis.
Punter is a Legend....