Stats don't lie: Sachin Tendulkar or Brian Lara - Who is the greatest?

Ever since Sachin Tendulkar and Brian Lara started taking the cricketing world by storm through their batting performances, there has been a debate going on - who is the best amongst these two.

The answer to this question is not simple, both have been greatest batsmen for their respective countries. Both took the burden of expectations on their shoulders and performed consistently over many years.

Sachin and Lara both scored runs against quality bowling lineups. On one hand, Shane Warne said that Sachin is the greatest he has bowled against, on the other hand, Murali said Lara is the greatest he has bowled against. Opinions are divided, some say Lara is the greatest, while others say Sachin is the one.

Let's take a look at the stats of these batsmen and maybe we can find an answer.

In Tests:

#1 Test matches taken per hundred

To be a successful Test batsman one needs to master the art of scoring hundreds. The old school of Test batting says once you get a start you should convert into a hundred because hundreds take team total to respectability.

Sachin scored 51 Test hundreds from 200 Test matches which implies that he scored a hundred every 3.92 Test matches.

Brian Lara scored 34 Test hundreds from 131 Test matches which implies that he scored a hundred every 3.29 Test matches.

Brian Lara certainly takes the cake on this count although not by much.

#2 Ratio of away Test hundreds to total hundreds

Tendulkar playing a sweep

A hallmark of a great batsman is that he scores runs everywhere, in all conditions. Sachin and Lara both have scored runs all around the globe and against quality opponents. They have played best of the bowlers in their own den and dominated them.

By calculating the ratio of away Test hundreds to total hundreds we can see which of these batsmen was better in alien conditions. Higher the ratio better the performance.

Sachin scored 29 out of his 51 test hundreds away from home, which implies a ratio of 0.56. Lara scored 17 of his 34 test hundreds away from home, which implies a ratio of 0.50.

Sachin is better than Lara on this parameter, but, again, not by much.

#3 Batting average

This metric is well known and it is a very good indicator of how consistent a batsman is. Since both these batsmen had long careers, taking a look at their respective average's will tell us a great deal about their level of consistency.

Sachin flicking the ball

Sachin ended his career with a batting average of 53.78 while Lara had a batting average of 52.88.

Again, there is very little to choose from. Sachin marginally outscores Lara on this metric.

#4 Fourth inning hundreds

3rd Test - New Zealand v West Indies: Day 2

Often a batsman is judged by the fact that how he performs under pressure. Batting in the fourth inning of a Test match is nothing less than sitting inside a pressure cooker.

Sachin went out to play 60 times in fourth innings in a test match and he scored three centuries in those 60 innings. This translates into 20 innings per hundred.

Lara played 46 times in fourth innings while scoring two centuries in those 46 innings. This gives a ratio of 23 innings per hundred.

Sachin had a reputation of not finishing matches, but, this stat tells us otherwise. Here again, he pips Lara to the post.

#5 Man of the Match award

Lara celebrating a milestone

Man of the Match award is a direct indication of a great performance put in by a player in a Test match. Putting in a match-winning performance in a test match which lasts for five days and four innings, requires an intense and sustained effort.

Sachin got 14 Man of the Match awards in 200 Test matches, which translates into a ratio of 14.28 matches per award. Lara got 12 Man of the Match awards in 131 Test matches, which translates into a ratio of 10.91 matches per award.

Lara's match-winning performances certainly came in more frequently.

#6 Limited overs cricket

Sachin with the World Cup trophy

To be great, a batsman needs to perform in all the formats he plays in. Sachin and Lara both played one day format for their countries and put in some memorable performances.

One of the most important aspects of limited overs cricket is the strike rate at which a batsman scores his runs. A hundred which is scored at a lower strike in limited overs cricket often ends up being a burden on the team, such is the importance of strike rate.

Sachin scored his 18,426 runs at a strike rate of 86.23, whereas Lara scored his 10,405 runs at a strike rate of 79.51.

Sachin had an average of 44.83 in one-dayers while Lara had an average of 40.48.

Also, Sachin got 62 Man of the Match awards in 463 one-dayers, at a ratio of 7.46 matches per award, while Lara got 30 Man of the Match awards in 299 matches, at a ratio of 9.96.

Another feather in Sachin's cap is that he was part of a world cup winning squad in 2011, which Lara could not achieve.

In limited overs cricket, Sachin is certainly ahead of Lara, since, he has scored runs at a fair clip and he has put in more match-winning performances.

Overall it's a close race. In fact, there is very little to separate them.

Lara and Sachin were toasts of their respective nations during their playing days. They were match winners for their teams and headache for the opposition.

If Sachin put in more match-winning performances in one day cricket then Lara did the same in Test cricket.

Stats mentioned here might not be conclusive in choosing one of the two. But, they do tell a story, that both were greats.