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[Buzz]

Jeet- It is difficult to know - but Ponting has scored runs all over the world against all opposition so he would have found a way. But I would have loved to have seen Warne vs Ponting in the heated arena of a test match, especially given Warne's dislike of him.
Tendulkar is also really benefitting from the extraordinary Sehwag who seems to be able to smash everything thrown at him regardless of who he is playing or where he is... We are very lucky to be able to watch them - I wish I had seen some of the batting this morning.

[petehosk]

From an unbiased point of view, Tendulkar would get my vote!
Ponting is a class act and in the second batch of best batsman of this era.

I would put Tendular first, followed closely by Ponting, Lara and even the likes of Kallis and Smith (SA) would be up there!
Interesting to see how they are all viewed in 20 years time when the've all retired! Even Tendulkar SHOULD have surely retired by then? 

[strokeplayer]

tendulker - lara - ponting in my opinion..

[Buzz]

Largely I agree and I would have Tendulkar then ponting - but I think that Sehwag should be up there too, his ability to score massive hundreds and totally shape a test match goes beyond his excellent stats. He would be the first name on my team sheet at the moment on form (not just because he bat's at 1!)

Then again a top 5 of Sehwag, Smith, Ponting, Tendulkar, Kallis would given an alien team a run for their money

Mr Hosk - you are right, but I am happy for those 20 years to go very slowly so we can keep watching these amazing players.

[cd0070]

Not too keen on having Smith up there with the rest of them as he hasn't performed at that level as most of them.. If we are talking about test match batting lets not forget about Dravid and VVS.. As an Indian it will be heartbreaking when these 3 giants of the game retire from test match.. As a cricket fan don't know when a trio (not including Sehwag and Gambir who also have been in amazing form over the course of last 15-18 months) that potent will secure a middle order of a team..

So far SA seems to have found a hell of a test batsman in Amla, hopefully they find a few more pieces around him for the future..

[Jeet]

Jeet- It is difficult to know - but Ponting has scored runs all over the world against all opposition so he would have found a way. But I would have loved to have seen Warne vs Ponting in the heated arena of a test match, especially given Warne's dislike of him.
Tendulkar is also really benefitting from the extraordinary Sehwag who seems to be able to smash everything thrown at him regardless of who he is playing or where he is... We are very lucky to be able to watch them - I wish I had seen some of the batting this morning.

Buzz

I agree that Punter has scored runs everywhere(barring India - averages 20), but he has faults in his technique that McGrath and Warne would've picked apart.

I mean Ponting has the habit of falling over the full straight ball early in his innings and McGrath would've exposed this.

Ponting's woes against Harbhajan are well documented. How would he fare against King Warne?

With regards to Tendulkar batting with Sehwag. India has only recently had a great opening pair. When Tendulkar started off, the Indian line up was fairly poor.

Ponting has had is easy, some what. Batting behind Hayden and Langer.

[Buzz]

Jeet you know your stats... http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/7133.html?class=1;home_or_away=2;opposition=6;template=results;type=batting

but I balance that with an average of nearly 80 against India at home  http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/7133.html?class=1;home_or_away=1;opposition=6;template=results;type=batting

either way batting at three after Langer and Hayden have smashed the bowling around is far easier than batting at 3 for England when McGrath has seen off Atherton caught Waugh in the first over!

[Jeet]

either way batting at three after Langer and Hayden have smashed the bowling around is far easier than batting at 3 for England when McGrath has seen off Atherton caught Waugh in the first over!

Agreed!

[thedon]

You wont find more of a humbler cricketer than Tendulkar. he is gentleman on and off the field. he is a very good athlete and a very under-rated bowler.
Ponting is up there with the very best too

[Colesy]

I agree with thedon when he says Tendulkar is an underrated bowler. Unless it causes him injuries I think he should bowl more!

[Master Blaster]

Nothing you can say about Sachin will truly shed light on his genius.

How good is Sehwag in attack conversley how good is Dravid in defence? Yet rarely do you see either reverse the roles consistently.

Yet Sachin excels in every type of strokeplay and is truly gifted. He will always be my number one, he deserves every accolade he gets. He is the eptiome of batting perfection. (See my avatar )

[Jeet]

Nothing you can say about Sachin will truly shed light on his genius.

How good is Sehwag in attack conversley how good is Dravid in defence? Yet rarely do you see either reverse the roles consistently.

Yet Sachin excels in every type of strokeplay and is truly gifted. He will always be my number one, he deserves every accolade he gets. He is the eptiome of batting perfection. (See my avatar )

I don't think you can compare Sehwag with Dravid. Sehwag is a destroyer, whereas Dravid is a worker. Even Sehwag is being 'defensive', he'll still score at 85-90 runs per 100 balls. Dravid, when being aggressive, can score at 70-75 runs per 100 balls.

Sachin started off like Sehwag(a thrilling strokemaker - he still has all the shots, as his 175 against Australia showed last year) and has now added the Dravid mode to his game play(accumulating mode). Only a true genius would be able to do so. Also, Sachin is smart enough to know there's no need to be as aggressive when Sehwag's so destructive.

[Talisman]

Sachin has slowed down his scoring as he says being the senior batsman in the side carries a lot more responsibility and therefore he needs to reduce his risk taking. Plus his body will not be the same as in his 20's so that is partly to answer and he is slowly reducing the weight of his bat to allow for a slight slowing in his reaction times.

[cd0070]

I'll this his "slow" reaction time over mine anyday.. 

[Master Blaster]

I don't think you can compare Sehwag with Dravid. Sehwag is a destroyer, whereas Dravid is a worker. Even Sehwag is being 'defensive', he'll still score at 85-90 runs per 100 balls. Dravid, when being aggressive, can score at 70-75 runs per 100 balls.

Sachin started off like Sehwag(a thrilling strokemaker - he still has all the shots, as his 175 against Australia showed last year) and has now added the Dravid mode to his game play(accumulating mode). Only a true genius would be able to do so. Also, Sachin is smart enough to know there's no need to be as aggressive when Sehwag's so destructive.

I wasnt comparing the two I said "How good is Sehwag in attack CONVERSELY how good is Dravid in defence?" Implying that Sachin can match both in terms of attack and defence (relative to their main skill/style of batting)