Tendulkar Greatest Batsman But Kallis Most Complete Cricketer: Lee

Lee, a contemporary of Tendulkar, said he found that the Indian batsman always had extra time to negotiate his deliveries.

Australia fast bowling legend Brett Lee considers Sachin Tendulkar as the greatest batsman ahead of Brian Lara. Also Read - Virat Kohli And I Would Have Been The Best of Friends, Feels Former Pakistan Pacer Shoaib Akhtar

Lee, a contemporary of Tendulkar, said he found that the Indian batsman always had extra time to negotiate his deliveries. Also Read - Would Want to Take on The Challenge of Facing Jasprit Bumrah: Shan Masood

“You think of Sachin Tendulkar, it just looked like he had more time,” Lee told former cricketer turned commentator Pommie Mbangwa. Also Read - Never Thought a Fast Bowler Could Have The Kind of Variety Jasprit Bumrah Has: Karsan Ghavri

Lee, one of the fastest bowlers of his era, touched the 160 kmph mark and regularly clocked in excess of 140 kmph.

“The best way to explain the meaning of time in cricket is that it felt like Sachin was batting on the return crease, batting next to the stumps, it just felt like he had more time to play against me, in my opinion he was the best batsman in the world,” he said of Tendulkar who is the most prolific run-getter in Test and ODI cricket history.

Tendulkar and Lara polarise opinions when it comes to debating the greatest batsman and for Lee the choice is clear.

And the Australian, who took over 700 wickets during his international career, feels that former South Africa allrounder Jacques Kallis is the greatest complete cricketer.

“Then you go on to Brian Lara, he was so flamboyant, it did not matter how quick you bowled against him, he could smash you in six different areas on the ground,” he said.

“Lara and Sachin are neck to neck when you talk about greatest batsmen. In my opinion, Sachin is the greatest batsman, but the greatest complete cricketer in my opinion has to be Jacques Kallis,” he added.

For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Cricket News on India.com.

Comments - Join the Discussion