most test runs

Will Tendulkar finish with the most test runs and stay ahead or is ponting or even graeme smith who has 6 and a half thousand runs at 28 reach the top?

Punter is 1 year 7 months younger and 1500 runs behind than Sachin.Now it's tougher than a complex imaginary equation to explain.Only time will tell

Originally posted by sam_ahmed Difficult to say this, Sachin may not retire soon, while Ponting may retire a little early, but then AUS play more tests than IND in a calender year... If I were to guess, I'd say Sachin will remain at the top.

Agreed

When Sachin will be 40 years , Punter will be 38.5 years.Can Ponting and Sachin keep their slot at later stages is a big question.It is not that easy to answer it,it may seem easy that they will play as long as they want.As they approach 38's ..their fitness counts a lot, need to be rock solid internally and mentally.

Ponting says he wants one last crack at the ashes in england. I think he should retain his form enough to be able to make that tour. It is quite concievable that aus could play 40 tests by then. Tendulkar says he wants to win the world cup for india in 2011 which he may well do. I get the impression though that if he makes that world cup he will call it quits win loose or draw. The problem is as milkman has suggested is that india dont play as many tests as aus. Its looking like ponting but will be interesting to see who finishes on top. Smith has crept up too. Hes 28 and can play on for at least another 8 years. He already has 6500 runs which could see him slightly ahead of either tendy or punter. Granted he is no run machine and seems to miss an awfull lot of matches but I still think he has a chance. I am dissappointed to see gibbs out of test cricket too. He had flair and was good to watch.

Yes actually if india did play more tests, as many as aus for example tendy could be way out of pontings reach. There was a period a while back when india only played on average about 5 tests per year compared to aus s 12. If not for this tendy could have over 14 000 by now. Ponting will come close on the fact he plays more innings. Also if hatden was never dropped when he initially was he could have been close too.

More games means more injuries. Sachin may have retired had he played ~12 tests a year... that would mean in his 20 year career ~240 possible tests.

All good points. Tendulkar may certainly have not been around now had india had a tighter scheudle. The limited number of games india play has certainly helped him. Ponting on the other hand hasent been too effected with injuries considering the amount of cricket he plays. Sachin is definitely more injury prone. Yes and also india do bat more often in tests then australia and yes the aus selectors are ruthless. Names and reputation seem to mean nothing to them. I understand that to a point but not to the point it is hammered home by the aus selectors. ponting would need to retain his current form with no real drops untill the 2013 ashes for him to remain in the team. Any drop in form could see the media and selectors dismiss him as ruthlessly as many others in the past. What is this aus obsession with negativity? why must the slightest drop in form result in doomsday predictions?

Yes mark had definitely had it when he was booted. Steve was given an extended stay cos of his captaincy and more intact batting abilities. Even though pontings by far and away the best batsmen in the team I can see questions and pressure every time he has a failure. I hope you are right about ponting as aus will miss him greatkly when he goes but Im not sure that the selectors realise this. Clarke is being groomed constantly but im not sure he will ever be a ponting with bat or as captain. Ponting is holding that team together in my opinion and if he goes I hate to think.

I agree. He just loves the game. Alot of players so they are not selfish but in pontings case I genuinly believe it. Loves to bat and play for aus, his personal record is of little value to him.

No but close to it. How else do you explain some of their selections during the ashes? Im still dissappointed in the west indian selectors for dropping richards before the 92 world cup and showing lara the door after his magnificant tour of pakistan in 07. Incredulous!

What if little master keeps playing only in tests after 2011 worldcup.I don't see any reason why he will stop playing tests.Gavasker has been saying Tendulkar can easily play till 40.

Tendulkar will certainly be unpassable if he plays till 40. You wont see many test players playing for as long as 20 years in the future.

A lot of them would have still played 20 years back. They physios and what not are telling them they are injured but the player is still fit enough to play. They are to precautious these days.

Does longevity mean greatness ?  Yes , the guys at the top of the test runs list are fine players , but I still think there were players of the highest class that aren't anywhere in that list!
               Go watch Dexter , Sobers Richards , Pollock and even Milburn - they put bums on seats!


Edited by Sledger - 02 December 2009 at 12:27pm