Last Updated on 2 hours ago by Charbel Coorey
Sir Garfield Sobers and Jacques Kallis are two of the greatest players to ever grace the game of cricket. Both were outstanding all-rounders, good enough to make any XI either as a batsman or bowler alone. They were also outstanding fielders in and around the bat.
On July 17, Sobers sadly passed away aged 89, leading to widespread tributes and more stories of his greatness. Many believe he is the greatest all-rounder in cricket history, but Kallis’ incredible output has put the South African in the conversation over many years.
Greg Chappell rates Jacques Kallis as great, but believes Sir Garfield Sobers was the better batsman
Former Australia batsman Greg Chappell spoke glowingly of Kallis but rates Sobers as the best. Speaking on SEN Cricket’s The New Ball Podcast, Chappell paid tribute to the West Indian great and spoke about what separates him from the rest.
“Whenever I’m asked ‘who was the best player you ever saw?’, Gary Sobers, by a comfortable margin,” Chappell said. “Best batsman I ever saw, best all-rounder I ever saw, one of the best fielders I ever saw.
“And people say, ‘well what about Jacques Kallis’? Jacques was a terrific cricketer and I don’t want to demean Jacques’ record by any stretch of the imagination because he was outstanding.
“But Sobers was a better batsman. Sobers would take you apart with power, flair and precision. Whereas Jacques was a one-pace sort of player that just took you apart like a surgeon. He couldn’t dominate a game the way Sobers did with the bat.
“He [Kallis] was equal or maybe even slightly better as a bowler, but as an all-rounder in all capacities, Sobers is on his own. There’s no one near him.”
Both Sobers and Kallis boast records to be proud of. Sobers struck 8,032 Test runs at a remarkable average of 57.78 in 93 Tests. He also took 235 wickets at 34.03, capable of bowling left-arm pace, orthodox and wristspin. Overall in First Class cricket, he averaged double with the bat (28,314 runs at 54.87) than with the ball (1,043 wickets at 27.74).
Kallis finished with 13,289 Test runs – fourth all-time behind Sachin Tendulkar, Joe Root and Ricky Ponting. He amassed those runs at a superb average of 55.37. He also took 292 wickets at 32.65.
Overall in First Class cricket, the South African struck 19,695 runs at 54.10 and took 427 wickets at 31.69.
In addition, Kallis scored 11,579 runs and took 273 wickets in ODIs.
