Former England fast bowler and three-time Ashes champion Steven Finn has ignited a fresh debate in cricket's eternal 'GOAT' conversation, declaring South African legend Jacques Kallis the 'greatest cricketer of all time'.
The Bold Declaration from an Ashes Hero
In his newly released book, 'The Ashes Files: My Pride and Pain in Cricket's Most Intense Series', Finn made the striking assertion. The comment emerged as he reflected on facing Kallis during England's 2012 Test series against South Africa, a contest where the Proteas ascended to the world number one ranking.
Elaborating in an exclusive interview, Finn pointed to Kallis's unparalleled dual role. 'To play that many games and do that well as an all-rounder has to be respected,' Finn stated, emphasising the sheer weight of achievement.
The Numbers Game: Kallis vs. Tendulkar
Finn's choice places Kallis ahead of iconic Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, whom ESPNcricinfo once labelled 'the most complete batter of his time'. Tendulkar's records are monumental: 15,921 Test runs and 100 international centuries, a landmark yet to be surpassed, though England's Joe Root is steadily closing in.
However, Finn argues Kallis's all-round mastery tips the scales. The South African amassed 13,289 Test runs at an average of 55.37, alongside 292 Test wickets. In One-Day Internationals, he added 11,558 runs and 273 wickets. 'He has almost the weight of runs and a better average than Sachin Tendulkar with the bat, and the bowling average of Zaheer Khan with the ball,' Finn analysed.
Kallis's prowess wasn't confined to batting and bowling; he was also a phenomenal slip fielder, snaring over 200 catches in Test matches alone.
A View from the Dressing Room: Vaughan and Ponting Weigh In
Finn is not alone in his high regard for Kallis, though opinions vary on the ultimate ranking. Former England captain Michael Vaughan places the South African second only to Australian spin wizard Shane Warne. 'Jacques Kallis batted at three and four... and averaged 50. He stood at second slip and bowled 85mph,' Vaughan told BBC Sport.
More emphatic is Australian great Ricky Ponting. On 'The Howie Games' podcast, Ponting was adamant: 'Jacques Kallis is the best cricketer who has ever played. I don't care about everybody else.' He hailed Kallis as the 'most underrated' great, marveling at the feat of scoring 45 Test centuries while also taking nearly 300 Test wickets.
While the debate over cricket's greatest will rage indefinitely, Steven Finn's authoritative endorsement from the heat of battle adds significant fuel to the argument for Jacques Kallis's all-round supremacy.
