There comes a time in a player’s international career when it is time to call it a day and bring down the final curtain on his illustrious international career. Here at C365 we’re always trying to predict who will be the ‘great game’s’ biggest scorer come their respective ends.
Brian Lara has continuously raised the bar to another level - a level that (so far) has not been breached. He has scored big runs when his beloved side, The West Indies has been under the cosh. I am sure that his record-breaking score against England has helped him greatly to keep the top spot - how many of the other players have scored an individual score of 400* in a Test match? That single record speaks highly of the man, whose legacy will live on. Yes, I am talking about retirement. Lara is 37 years old. He has played 128 Test matches and has scored wopping 11505 runs in a Test career that has spanned 16 years. His Test average is 52.5. It is interesting to see that even though he heads the list, his average is not the highest. This indicates that there is a lot of competition amongst the top crop of current batsmen at international level and a bit of competition is always healthy. He’s the man at the top right now…and there to stay.
But here are some predictions as to who will finish top of the run-scoring pops come retirement:
The little maestro, Sachin Tendulkar is the closest rival to Lara and that top spot. Despite his horrific run of injuries, he entertains the masses in his home country, India and has become a marketable figure with endorsements ranging from sports apparel to a stake in a restaurant. Tendulkar is 33 years old. In his 132 matches, he has scored 10469 runs. He is currently fourth on the all-time list of leading run-scorers. His highest score his 200. He has a sound average of 55.39. Once the top spot is there for the taking, I am sure that Tendulkar, if he stays healthy will send out a warning to his fellow competitors. India is not the same side without the little general.
Rahul ‘The Wall’ Dravid is one of the cleverest thinkers in the game. When Dravid bats there is this unfazed, but brutal look in his eye. He is an intimidating character, and since becoming the Indian captain has successfully managed to juggle the two - to great success I might add. Dravid has played 104 matches, amassing 9049 runs (this milestone was achieved in the fourth Test against the West Indies). His highest test score is 270. He averages 58.75. He has the highest average out of all the players I have mentioned above, in the leading top 20 of the individual leading run-scorers. He is the same age, as Sachin Tendulkar and cricket fans all around the world will expect big things from Dravid.
Ah, the majestic Punter, since his arrival on the international stage, Ricky Ponting has possessed that arrogance that all Australians seem to possess. He has however backed it up with real talent on a cricket field. Ponting has played 105 Tests, scoring 8792 runs, with a highest score of 257 runs. He averages 58.22 and like Dravid has relished being captain. Regardless of that Ashes defeat in 2005, Punter is here to stay; he will continue to rewrite the record books, both as an individual and with his team. Ricky Ponting is 31 years of age, and on current form he gets my vote for the man to succeed Lara and take that number one spot.
Inzamam Ul-Haq has revitalized Pakistan cricket. Inzi has played in 109 matches; He averages 51.34 with a highest Test score of 329. He has scored 8266 runs. Inzamam has thrived under the guidance of Bob Woolmer, who expects only but the best from his players. Pakistan has united as one team, instead of as individuals within a team. This is partly due to the attitude change as well as performing at the highest level on a consistent basis. Inzamam is a giant man, but the giant is not mean, he seems rather laid back but seems to change into his alter ego when he is at the crease. He is also nearing the end of his magnificent career, he is 36 years old and once he steps out of the international spotlight, the cricket fraternity will be mourning one of the games greatest characters. I doubt he will go into commentating like so many do nowadays, but maybe one day his name will pop up as the new Pakistani coach.
Jacques Kallis is one of the leading all-rounders in the game. He has made and broken records with the bat. He has played 102 Tests and has scored 8033 runs, but unlike the players mentioned above, he has never scored a double hundred. His highest score is 189*. He does make up for that with an excellent average of 55.78, but has been criticized for batting slowly. He likes to occupy the crease. Nevertheless he is a wonderful player and has been a true asset to the Proteas. He is only 30, which also makes him the baby of this elite group. If he can stay away from injuries, then he will give Ponting and Dravid a run for their money. It will be interesting to see how the next five years go for Kallis. Will the schedule catch up with him or can he surpass all of our expectations and become the next Don Bradman? We shall wait with bated breath.
There is no doubt that all of these players are superstars in their own making, I think it really comes down to the ‘big match temperament’ of a player. These five batsmen all have the potential to become the leader of the pack. It will be interesting, barring age and fitness, who does take over the mantle, once Lara retires. Whoever it will be they will deserve it as it takes hard work to be the greatest batsman in the world.