Garry Sobers vs Jacques Kallis

[Prince EWS]

I'm torn between whether it's close or not.

If a normal Test team had Sobers in it and then suddenly had Kallis instead I don't think it'd really change their fortunes, so in that way they're close so that's how I've voted.

But usually when I say something is close I can at least see some valid argument to be made for both players. I just can't see an argument for Kallis to be better at all. If you put a lot of stock in his more difficult home conditions to have him as an equal or even marginally better bat as a stretch then it just means Sobers' bowling was way ahead.

For me Sobers is clearly ahead but not by very much. Does that make it close? Depends.

 

[DrWolverine]

If a normal Test team had Sobers in it and then suddenly had Kallis instead I don't think it'd really change their fortunes

True.

 

[ataraxia]

I'm torn between whether it's close or not.

If a normal Test team had Sobers in it and then suddenly had Kallis instead I don't think it'd really change their fortunes, so in that way they're close so that's how I've voted.

But usually when I say something is close I can at least see some valid argument to be made for both players. I just can't see an argument for Kallis to be better at all. If you put a lot of stock in his more difficult home conditions to have him as an equal or even marginally better bat as a stretch then it just means Sobers' bowling was way ahead.

For me Sobers is clearly ahead but not by very much. Does that make it close? Depends.

I was actually thinking the exact opposite. Given the same gap in quality, I find it so much harder to determine who's better out of two all-rounders than two batsmen.

 

[Prince EWS]

I was actually thinking the exact opposite.

@TheJediBrah

 

[subshakerz]

I'm torn between whether it's close or not.

If a normal Test team had Sobers in it and then suddenly had Kallis instead I don't think it'd really change their fortunes, so in that way they're close so that's how I've voted.

But usually when I say something is close I can at least see some valid argument to be made for both players. I just can't see an argument for Kallis to be better at all. If you put a lot of stock in his more difficult home conditions to have him as an equal or even marginally better bat as a stretch then it just means Sobers' bowling was way ahead.

For me Sobers is clearly ahead but not by very much. Does that make it close? Depends.

If Sobers is even marginally ahead in all three disciplines then it's not close.

 

[Prince EWS]

If Sobers is eveb marginally ahead in all three disciplines then it's not close.

I think it's really close on batting and fielding but not that close on bowling. But bowling was the thing they were both least good at.

 

[Coronis]

I think it's really close on batting and fielding but not that close on bowling. But bowling was the thing they were both least good at.

Yeah.

I mean I have them both as top 5 cricketers of all time. It seems odd in that respect to say the gap between them is not close.

 

[subshakerz]

Yeah.

I mean I have them both as top 5 cricketers of all time. It seems odd in that respect to say the gap between them is not close.

Who else is in your top five

 

[Prince EWS]

Who else is in your top five

I know it wasn't directed at me but I get a bit stuck after three. Between 4 and 12 could be totally different day to day.

 

[Coronis]

Apparently according to Kimber Kallis is a top 10 bat.

Unironically, if you guys are gonna post about his list outside of that thread, can you use spoilers. I plan to get the book for my birthday in June and don’t want to be spoiled.

Who else is in your top five

The usual names. BGI

 

[subshakerz]

Unironically, if you guys are gonna post about his list outside of that thread, can you use spoilers. I plan to get the book for my birthday in June and don’t want to be spoiled.

My apologies.

 

[subshakerz]

I know it wasn't directed at me but I get a bit stuck after three. Between 4 and 12 could be totally different day to day.

Who is your number three?

 

[Coronis]

Who is your number three?

I think it might be Sobers tbh if I’m including Grace. If not, it’d be Imran.

 

[Prince EWS]

Who is your number three?

Sobers.

 

[subshakerz]

I think it might be Sobers tbh if I’m including Grace. If not, it’d be Imran.

So Bradman, Sobers, WG, Imran/Kallis

 

[Prince EWS]

I think it might be Sobers tbh if I’m including Grace. If not, it’d be Imran.

I have Imran at 2 in a Test list. Sobers 3. I dunno about the rest. Kallis is definitely higher than any specialist batsman but I dunno about him vs Marshall, Hadlee, Miller, Hammond or maybe even Faulkner.

 

[Coronis]

So Bradman, Sobers, WG, Imran/Kallis

Bradman, Grace, Sobers, Imran, Kallis. Very controversial top 5 I reckon

 

[Coronis]

I have Imran at 2 in a Test list. Sobers 3. I dunno about the rest. Kallis is definitely higher than any specialist batsman but I dunno about him vs Marshall, Hadlee, Miller, Hammond or maybe even Faulkner.

To each their own. Where do you have Kallis as a bat again? Can’t recall.

 

[Prince EWS]

To each their own. Where do you have Kallis as a bat again? Can’t recall.

Around 8-10.

 

[Coronis]

Around 8-10.

oh wow. higher than me.