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[Kulli]

a MUTE argument?  one where no noise is made?

Surely a MOOT point...!

The most annoying thing about this forum is the number of times a bat (or whatever) is described as 'top draw' instead of top drawer!

Drives me crazy!

[Ciaran]

If its between Lara and Tendulkar, for me it is Lara, when he got going one of the nicest batsman to watch.
To be fair I would put Viv above both of them.

A better comparison that needs doing is the best all rounder does anyone put Beefy up there?

[MD2812]

Lara for me

[Danny1870]

for me its got to be Lara over Tendulkar, and as for all rounders it's got to be Sobers although Kallis has to be right up there

[LNB]

Lara is much better than tendulkar. I loved the arrogance Lara had when walking out to bat, then proceed to take apart the bowling attack with beautiful stroke making and also powerful hitting.
Lara's 153* vs Australia in Barbados is by far the greatest test innings I've ever seen, also in that series he hit 213 in the second test and a 84 ball century in the final test. Lara made so many bowlers around the world look second rate.   

[Bulldog Cricket]

Lara for me too, did it in a poor team on some dodgy wickets at home.

Viv above them both though. He was 20 years ahead of everyone else.

[Danny1870]

Lara definitely had the swagger and backed it up against the aussies, not forgetting his 500 not out and 375no and then breaking the world record again with 400!!

[jamielsn15]

Tendulkar has the stats, Lara had the X Factor - would sooner watch Lara any day of the week...

Agree that Viv was superior to both though.  Tony Cozier did an interview and said that Lara underachieved - he should've been averaging 80.  Imagine what he'd have been like in the Windies team of the 80s?!

Hate to think the reaction this thread would be getting on cricinfo...

[epbs]

(IMHO) Of the last 20 years, Lara the best batsman, Kallis the best cricketer, Tendulkar... the most effective batsman? That sounds like an insult (and massively wrong) but I don't know how else to put it. Lara had a purity and individual style that is unmatched. Basically a swagger merchant with record breaking batting to back it up.

We can probably ignore The Don, Sobers and King Vivi in this debate, I think it's more current than that.

[epbs]

Barry Richards is a good shout from the previous generation

[ppccopener]

Oooh well done LNB for mentioning lara's genius 153 against the old enemy to win that match in barbados.
Lara was a mecurial and gifted player who would of been a great in any era.he was never going to still be playing at 40.when the mood left him he stopped playing.
Stats will show SRT a better player but you cant use stats alone.
Both are great Lara was a genius thou.
Of lara,srt and iva: richards was the best player ive seen and bettet than both of them.
Never seen a player as good as viv.
There....ive got that off my chest

[thedon]

I would say Tendulkar is a superior batsman. To score runs consistantly over 20 years is an amazing achievement. Lara was more explosive throughout his career, but the early tendulkar was just asaggresive.

Also there is a certain romance of a bygone era. Everything seems better and cricket is no different. Tendulkar is a genius. His batting technique is perfect, like bradman's, he said so himself!

[PaceKing29]

Lara is much better than tendulkar. I loved the arrogance Lara had when walking out to bat, then proceed to take apart the bowling attack with beautiful stroke making and also powerful hitting.
Lara's 153* vs Australia in Barbados is by far the greatest test innings I've ever seen, also in that series he hit 213 in the second test and a 84 ball century in the final test. Lara made so many bowlers around the world look second rate.   

Agree! He was a world class batsman, especially with the lack of left handed batsmen in world cricket he made the game look so effortless and a joy to watch-appealed to all ages!

[Bulldog Cricket]

And he played in a team with one other batsman !! Tendulkar played in a team full of great batsman in their own right.

[Alvaro]

Brian Lara 153* vs Australia 1999 Barbados

He slaps one cover drive in this that's phenomenal.
Tendulkar is the Mercedes, Lara the Maserati.