Retired Australia bowler Brett Lee does not believe that Indian cricketing great Sachin Tendulkar is the best player the sport has ever produced. Lee reignited the debate over cricket’s greatest player during a recent interview, with his ultimate choice being a different legend from South Africa.
Who Does Brett Lee Recognise as Cricket’s Best Player Ever?
Lee believes former Proteas all-rounder Jacques Kallis is the best cricket player of all time. The veteran Kallis combined elite batting and fast-medium bowling to become one of cricket’s top versatile stars during his era. Kallis also contributed to his team’s success with remarkable fielding performances throughout a 19-year-long international career.
Lee Says Sachin the Best, But Not Overall
Brett believes Tendulkar remains his choice among all-time legendary batters. However, the former Australian pacer goes with Kallis among overall top cricket stars:
“I’ve always said that I think that the best batsman to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. But the best cricketer is Jacques Kallis. He’s got the best numbers in the world. If you look at his stats, the stats don’t lie. He’s incredible,” Lee said during a recent interview.
Lee shared that Kallis could influence a match with the bat and ball while providing safe hands in the field. Tendulkar’s contributions with the bat were phenomenal; however, he did not shine in other departments where Kallis found success.
How Did Kallis Perform as a Player?
Jacques Kallis retired as one of the most complete cricketers in the history of the game. He accumulated 25,534 runs and 577 wickets across 519 international matches. Kallis was particularly influential in Test cricket, where his consistency with the bat separated him from many other all-rounders. He scored 13,289 Test runs at an average of 55.37 and finished with 45 Test centuries
His achievements stretched into 50-over international cricket as well. Kallis crossed 10,000 runs in One-Day International cricket before his retirement to become the only South African batter to reach that landmark in both Tests and ODIs.
Kallis could maintain elite standards across formats in different positions, and this ability strengthens his claim as one of the most versatile players of his generation. He could build an innings patiently in Test cricket or adjust his approach when playing limited-overs cricket.
A Genuine Bowling Threat
Kallis’ impressive bowling numbers add another dimension to Lee’s argument. He collected 577 wickets across international cricket in a run that included seven five-wicket hauls. Kallis provided his teams with a reliable seam option capable of breaking partnerships while supporting the frontline attack and giving captains another tactical avenue.
The Value of His Fielding
Kallis’ contribution did not end after he finished bowling. He was also regarded as an excellent slip fielder and took numerous important catches during his career. Kallis contributed in all three major areas of the game to ensure maximum support to his team’s winning chances.
Lee Has Been Consistent About Kallis
Lee previously shared glowing comments about Kallis before restating his opinion in the greatest cricketer debate. He once described Kallis as the best cricketer he had seen, while acknowledging that he never saw Sir Gary Sobers play during his career.
Lee also once said that Kallis could fit into a side as a bowler or a batsman and identified his superb all-round ability as a major advantage.
Is It Ideal to Compare Tendulkar and Kallis?
Comparing Tendulkar and Kallis is difficult because their careers were built around different responsibilities. Tendulkar was primarily a specialist batter whose extraordinary record came from sustained excellence with the bat.
Kallis carried responsibilities in several departments. His batting statistics alone would place him among the leading players of his era, but the additional wickets and catches expand his overall contribution. That difference is why Lee can rate Tendulkar above Kallis as a batsman while selecting Kallis as the better cricketer overall.
Why Kallis Stands Out Among All-Rounders
Kallis displayed immense balance as a player during his career. Plenty of cricketers have been effective in two departments, but few combined top-level batting and bowling contributions over such a long international career.
Kallis played 166 Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20Is for South Africa between 1995 and 2014 to cement a lasting legacy as one of the game’s best-ever cricketers. His longevity gave him enough opportunities to build a strong statistical record in international cricket.
An ICC Hall of Fame Career
Kallis’ standing in the sport was formally recognized when he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2020.
