Is Ricky Ponting a better batsman than Brian Lara?

[MrIncredible]

FOr those whove never seen highlights of the 2001 series in SL::

Ten Sports

 

[PlayerComparisons]

Punter

 

[slippy888]

Brian is the prince

 

[Coronis]

Amusing.

 

[Chrish]

Ponting was pretty stellar but Lara was absolute genius. I still remember the days when we used to turn off the tv when Lara wicket fell.. amazing presence on the field.

 

[CricketFan90s]

We've had a lot of Tendulkar vs Ponting and Lara vs Tendulkar debates, but somehow I've never seen a Lara vs Ponting debate. Who do you think is better? I think Ponting is better, anyone challenge that?

Brian Lara

In England

1995-2004

15

27

1

1268

179

48.76

1881

67.41

4

6

2

192

3

In West Indies

1992-2006

65

111

5

6217

400*

58.65

10302

60.34

17

26

8

785

55

In Australia

1992-2005

19

35

0

1469

277

41.97

2444

60.10

4

4

4

189

6

In South Africa

1998-2004

9

18

0

841

202

46.72

1536

54.75

2

5

0

131

7

In Pakistan

1990-2006

7

13

0

626

216

48.15

1014

61.73

2

1

1

84

8

In Sri Lanka

1993-2001

4

7

0

706

221

100.85

1279

55.19

3

1

0

72

5

Ricky Ponting

In England

1997-2010

20

34

0

1421

156

41.79

2251

63.12

4

6

2

174

10

In Australia

1995-2012

92

154

21

7578

257

56.97

12630

60.00

23

38

9

839

26

In India

1996-2010

14

25

0

662

123

26.48

1288

51.39

1

5

3

81

2

In South Africa

2002-2011

11

21

1

937

116

46.85

1516

61.80

3

5

3

121

9

In Sri Lanka

1999-2011

9

16

1

723

141

48.20

1250

57.84

2

3

0

88

4

Lara in West Indies was a better batsmen than Ponting in Australia. He also had better Avg in England compared to Ponting. Ponting flopped against India in India which was their Major Rival during his Career and Lara did a decent job against Australia in Australia which was his Major Rival during his Career. In South Africa Lara and Ponting were almost Equals. Lara did well in Pakistan against Wasim, Waqar and Ponting never faced them in Pakistan. Lara slaughtered Murali in Srilanka which Ponting never did.

Lara >> Ponting

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Brian Lara

In England

1995-2004

15

27

1

1268

179

48.76

1881

67.41

4

6

2

192

3

In West Indies

1992-2006

65

111

5

6217

400*

58.65

10302

60.34

17

26

8

785

55

In Australia

1992-2005

19

35

0

1469

277

41.97

2444

60.10

4

4

4

189

6

In South Africa

1998-2004

9

18

0

841

202

46.72

1536

54.75

2

5

0

131

7

In Pakistan

1990-2006

7

13

0

626

216

48.15

1014

61.73

2

1

1

84

8

In Sri Lanka

1993-2001

4

7

0

706

221

100.85

1279

55.19

3

1

0

72

5

Ricky Ponting

In England

1997-2010

20

34

0

1421

156

41.79

2251

63.12

4

6

2

174

10

In Australia

1995-2012

92

154

21

7578

257

56.97

12630

60.00

23

38

9

839

26

In India

1996-2010

14

25

0

662

123

26.48

1288

51.39

1

5

3

81

2

In South Africa

2002-2011

11

21

1

937

116

46.85

1516

61.80

3

5

3

121

9

In Sri Lanka

1999-2011

9

16

1

723

141

48.20

1250

57.84

2

3

0

88

4

Lara in West Indies was a better batsmen than Ponting in Australia.

Lara >> Ponting

I loved watching Lara bat, but his average in the WI is assisted greatly by his stat padding 375 and 400 on roads against England

 

[CricketFan90s]

I loved watching Lara bat, but his average in the WI is assisted greatly by his stat padding 375 and 400 on roads against England

It’s not an easy task to hit Triple Centuries like that, he also hit 153 in West Indies against Australia ?? one of the best innings of all time.

 

[subshakerz]

Ponting was better against raw pace. Lara better against everything else.

 

[slippy888]

Dont think we will see another batting stance like brian lara in our life time, he literally use to launch himself into the cover drives.

 

[CricketFan90s]

Ponting was better against raw pace. Lara better against everything else.

I would rate Lara slightly ahead of Ponting but Ponting was also a Great Champion

 

[ankitj]

I agree stats puke shows clearly that Lara > Ponting

 

[CricketFan90s]

I agree stats puke shows clearly that Lara > Ponting

Yeah Lara also did great in 90s when it’s difficult to maintain an Avg of 50+

 

[CricketFan90s]

But if you combine both formats of the Game then Ponting > Lara

 

[ataraxia]

I think this is the highest participation poll I've ever seen on CW. 99! Almost a percentage. Brilliant.

 

[ataraxia]

100, woop woop!

74–26 to Lara

 

[CricketFan90s]

My Test XI from 1990-2009 1) Graeme Smith 2) Matthew Hayden 3) Brian Lara 4) Jacques Kallis 5) Sachin Tendulkar 6) Steve Waugh* 7) Adam Gilchrist+ 8) Wasim Akram 9) Shane Warne 10) Curtly Ambrose 11) Glenn McGrath

 

[Burgey]

My Test XI from 1990-2009 1) Graeme Smith 2) Matthew Hayden 3) Brian Lara 4) Jacques Kallis 5) Sachin Tendulkar 6) Steve Waugh* 7) Adam Gilchrist+ 8) Wasim Akram 9) Shane Warne 10) Curtly Ambrose 11) Glenn McGrath

That’s a box office side. Would be terrific to watch

 

[Kenneth Viljoen]

I prefer Lara ..They call him the Prince , but the truth is he inherited an empire that was crumbling , he carried West Indies with such grace and elegance , to keep your standards so high when everything around you is sinking is the toughest thing to do.

 

[CricketFan90s]

I prefer Lara ..They call him the Prince , but the truth is he inherited an empire that was crumbling , he carried West Indies with such grace and elegance , to keep your standards so high when everything around you is sinking is the toughest thing to do.

It was really tough for him compared to Ponting and Tendulkar.