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[ProCricketer1982]

Kallis, along with Tendulkar, Lara, Dravid, Ponting are the best players of the modern era.

Cook's far from ever being a great player.

As for Dhoni, sloggers aren't great players.

Have to agree with Gerry SA. Shining, cook and Clarke aren't a patch on the likes of kalli, Lara and ponting. Shiv and kumar are the last two up there for me. The rest are tainted with t20 slogging so are just not as good

[PM7]

Cook will break all English batting records and will be an English great however people like Kallis are on another level altogether.

Nobodys mentioned his slip fielding yet and thats pretty special.

[Buzz]

cook, Clarke and de villiars will all become greats of the game. if you can't see that, you need to look again.

Dhoni is astonishing in what he has achieved, in overseeing the transition of a new generation on Indian players winning everything available as a captain. he is far more than a slogger.

I could go on, but I suspect you won't change your view until they have retired.

[procricket]

Pujara mark my words

[Gerry SA]

cook, Clarke and de villiars will all become greats of the game. if you can't see that, you need to look again.

Dhoni is astonishing in what he has achieved, in overseeing the transition of a new generation on Indian players winning everything available as a captain. he is far more than a slogger.

I could go on, but I suspect you won't change your view until they have retired.

Amla, Clarke and ABDV will go on to be greats.

Cook, with a middling average in the 40s won't.

[cleanbowled]

If we consider the limited over formats, i think MS would be an all time great considering what he has achieved both as a player and a captain. His test record is not bad at all, but I think he can definitely do better - he has not had the same impact on the long format as yet (speaking strictly on his achievements so far as a player only).

Pujara certainly has the talent to go very far, also Virat Kohli.

Among the current guys, Clarke, Amla, De villiers, and Cook as well (though alot would depend on how he bounces on from here) could become greats of the game. Chanderpaul and Sanga are greats already in my opinion. What about Graeme Smith - he has a pretty impressive record as well in tests for an opener.

[The_Bird]

I suppose the criteria to be considered a great has to include all formats and they have to be judged on a long career.

Kallis, Sangakarra have performed in any situation from T20 in Indian to the toughest test match for over 15 plus years at the top.

Cook, Clarke, Amla, Abdv need to be judged after 15 years or so at the top of their sport.

[cesare_in]

Oh  I thought he would go on for a couple of more series.

Was hoping he would get to 50 Test centuries.. Alas

[Blank Bats]

For me he is more suited to test cricket rather than limited overs. I would've thought it makes more sense to retire from limited overs and carry on in tests.

Strange phase for world cricket, who will be next.

[Blank Bats]

Pujara mark my words

The new Dravid

I think Faf Du Plesis is another who has the temperament to succeed at the highest level.

[jwebber86]

was just reading an article about him the cricketer magazine.

he is a player i have liked a huge amount, certainly be a vital part of helping south africa have a balanced side for many years

[SOULMAN1012]

Cook, with a middling average in the 40s won't.

100 tests by the age of 29, the first Englishman to score 1000 international runs in his first year, the youngest ever player to 1000,2000,3000,4000 & 5000 test runs, 25 test centuries and could easily pass the record of 51 test centuries held at present due to age and the number of test played per year let alone break all records in English test history. Plus his slip fielding.

Definatly not enough to be a great of the gam

[Gerry SA]

100 tests by the age of 29, the first Englishman to score 1000 international runs in his first year, the youngest ever player to 1000,2000,3000,4000 & 5000 test runs, 25 test centuries and could easily pass the record of 51 test centuries held at present due to age and the number of test played per year let alone break all records in English test history. Plus his slip fielding.

Definatly not enough to be a great of the gam

England play more Tests per year than any other country.

Cook's playing more Tests in his peak than Tendulkar, Lara, Kallis etc.

[Manormanic]

The idea of "greats of the game" is such a funny one, and people's perceptions of individual players is equally funny given how it is affected by so many extraneous factors.

I would have started today thinking Kallis was less than quite a great, but on reflecting recognise that he was and is a great player - until you think about how many runs he has scored, wickets he has taken etc you don't quite pick up the scale of his achievements and may, as I have often done myself, have dismissed him as a fat blocker with one eye on his average. 

The concern that I would have here is that we seem to often mistake longevity for greatness. 

[ProCricketer1982]

The players who I think could become 'greats' are ABdV, Styen, Pujara and Kohli. Players who are v v v good but for me not greets are smith, Clarke, Cook, KP etc etc

At the end of the day it's personal on Player preference , based on nationality and how they go about their cricket. Entering into hall of fame that is 'greatness' will also be subjective. There is no reason slogger thug warmer can't make it for instance, however would the way he plays etc bar him from such accolades etc.. Probably