Sachin or Bradman?

[Bullrush]

They did a cross sport comparison once and bradman's batting average was more standard deviations above the mean than any of sportsman in pretty much any other sport. Better than ruth, jordan, pele etc.

Kallis would have a claim to be best all rounder but!

Wow!! the only thing I would question with that is if the comparison took into consideration Jordan's overall contribution to the team. I don't know how good of a bowler or fielder Bradman was but Jordan was the closest thing to a complete player I think basketball has seen. they once did a survey of all the NBA coaches and asked them out of all the players in the league, who would they have taking the last shot to win the game. Answer - Jordan. The player you want defending the last shot - Jordan. They also ranked the top 5 players they would have in each position. Jordan was in the top 5 for all positions.....including centre.

Probably a bit OTT with the last choice there but I suppose if you has already picked the other 4 players and you had to choose between Jordan and Bill Wennington, I know who would be my centre!! LOL

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Bullrush, I think if you were to ask any knowledgeable cricket person who is the first player they would pick for an all-time World XI, they would almost unanimously pick Bradman. That probably says it all really. Just like any reasonable person would pick Jordan for a starting five position in an all-time basketball team.

 

[Bullrush]

Bullrush, I think if you were to ask any knowledgeable cricket person who is the first player they would pick for an all-time World XI, they would almost unanimously pick Bradman. That probably says it all really. Just like any reasonable person would pick Jordan for a starting five position in an all-time basketball team.

I don't doubt that at all. As I said earlier, his batting stats are just unbelievable. My question though is if he wasn't batting, would he still be picked?

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I don't doubt that at all. As I said earlier, his batting stats are just unbelievable. My question though is if he wasn't batting, would he still be picked?

Cricket is a bit more specialised than some other sports. Players are often selected on the basis of one skill alone. If all you can do is bat or bowl, then that's often good enough. Fielding is important, but it won't stop a superstar from being picked if they are top of the pile in at least one other discipline.