This thread is pointless. The best batsman cannot simply be decided on averages alone, one must take into account the way in which the batsman plays their shots, e.g - are they aggressive, exciting to watch? Or, are they simply defensive and therefore put a higher price on their wicket?
Secondly, the word 'best' is quite ambigious in the cricketing context, and to say Ponting is the best is - pointless. Kallis is in the form of his life so is he better than Ponting? Sangakkara played a magestical innings, and does that make him the 'best'?
You may want to think a bit harder before you start threads, garry.

Edited by samhache - 23 November 2007 at 8:02am