The Greatest Allrounder - Blog

Separating the greats of the game over different generations is a thankless task, and even more so when it comes to deciding on the greatest all-rounder. The players on this list possess different strengths, but how do you decide whether a batting all-rounder is of more value than a bowling all-rounder, or indeed a batsman-wicket-keeper? How do you decide whether runs scored or wicket's taken today mean more or less than those in bygone era's? Any conclusions therefore must be a purely personal thing, and I have to go for Sir Garry Sobers.

He would have comfortably held his own in the West Indies team in either discipline, was an outstanding fielder and an inspirational captain, with the belief in his own judgement to know when was the right time to bowl himself (take note Freddie). His statistics speak for themselves. He converted his maiden Test hundred into a world record that stood for a quarter of a century, and is the only man in Australian domestic history to have completed the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in a season when playing for South Australia. What's more, he did it twice.

His 254 for the Rest of the World against Australia remains one of the great innings, and he left a legacy of a generation of West Indian dominance. It is a shame that the world was denied the chance to see him in the one-day game to which he was so suited.

When thinking of the topic of all-rounders the mind is always drawn to those who had the talent but for one reason or another never made it to the level of Sobers, Khan, Botham and co. One of my earliest cricketing memories was watching Chris Lewis bat against the West Indies in 1991, and his failure to develop proved a constant trauma for a young fan.

In the debate over who is the greatest allrounder it would be easy to go for the obvious choices, but I'd like to throw one in from slightly left field. And 'left' is quite appropriate as Wasim Akram was the finest exponent of left-arm pace bowling to have graced the game.

Now, I'll pin my colours to the mast here, I have an allegiance to Lancashire where Wasim's deeds lit up many a match at Old Trafford and beyond. He was obviously an awesome talent with the ball where his toe-crushing, reverse swinging yorkers dismissed some of the game's best batsmen, but also with the willow.

He only has a Test average of 22, I hear everyone yelling at their screen, and that is true but that was partly down to playing half his matches at No. 8 behind a strong Pakistan batting order. Some of his best innings came when Pakistan needed him most; against Australia at Adelaide in 1989-90, against England at Lord's in 1992, and against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura in 1996-97.

Wasim is among some outstanding players and will face a tough time forcing his way past the likes of Sobers, Botham and Imran, but he shouldn't be forgotton in the search for the greatest allrounder.

Welcome to the Greatest Allrounder Site blog, in partnership with VW Touareg. This is where you will be able to tell us who you believe is the greatest of the great. We hope to generate some fruity debate and we will also be doling out a range of prizes for the best comments made over the coming months. So keep those thoughts flowing in.

So let's kick this whole thing off. Who is the greatest allrounder of all time? Personally, I think the title belongs to one of three people. Garry Sobers, Imran Khan and Ian Botham – three men who were not only outstanding in each of their disciplines, but also had that indefinable ability to impose their will on a match, at any stage of a match. Sobers did it through being a sheer colossus with bat and ball, Imran by being a mighty leader of men (and a World Cup winner to boot), and Botham … well, he was just a reckless, rampant force of nature.

Of the three, Sobers might edge it on pure cricketing ability, but Imran has an extra edge because of his captaincy credentials, and Botham is unparalleled as a matchwinner. Maybe you agree, more likely you don't. But let the debate commence. Who knows, by the end of this winter, there might even be a new contender. If Andrew Flintoff can captain England to victory in the Ashes, while excelling with bat, ball and in the slip cordon, who could deny him the right to join the top table?