• Kallis, AB top Rudolph’s all-time list

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    Former Proteas batsman Jacques Rudolph has listed big names such as Jacques Kallis, Ricky Ponting, Andrew Flintoff, Kumar Sangakkara and AB de Villiers as some of the best players he played with and against in his cricketing career.

    Rudolph represented South Africa in 48 Test matches, contributing a total of 2,622 runs, which includes 11 half-centuries and six centuries with a top score of 222 not out.

    The left-hander spent his final few playing years at County Championship side Glamorgan, retiring from all cricket in 2017.

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    Rudolph’s list comes during the country’s national lockdown as he reflects on some of the best players he shared a field with and came up against, both on a domestic and international level.

    Ponting takes the position as the best captain that Rudolph has played against, while Englishmen James Anderson and Andrew Flintoff are nominated for the best swing and seam bowlers, respectively.

    Sri Lankan record-breaker Muttiah Muralitharan is the best spinner that Rudolph faced in his career, while AB de Villiers, who he played a lot of cricket with during their time at the Titans, is awarded the best fielder and also the best innings that Rudolph has ever seen.

    But Kallis, believed to be South Africa’s greatest-ever cricketer, takes Rudolph’s top accolade as his best player ever.

    Former Proteas coach and player Gary Kirsten gets the nod for best coach, alongside Eric Simons.

    Full list

    Best player ever: Jacques Kallis

    Best captain played against: Ricky Ponting

    Best captain: Graeme Smith/Gerald Dros

    Seam bowler: Andrew Flintoff

    Swing bowler: James Anderson

    Fast bowler: Shoaib Akhtar

    Spinner: Muttiah Muralitharan

    Best batsman: Kumar Sangakkara

    Best innings: AB de Villiers

    Best wicketkeeper: Kruger van Wyk

    The big hitter: Albie Morkel

    The blocker: Andrew White

    Best No 11: Paul Harris

    Best catcher: Martin van Jaarsveld

    Best arm: Marchant de Lange

    Top fielder: AB de Villiers

    Best sledger: Pierre de Bruyn

    Best coach: Gary Kirsten/Eric Simons

    Favourite ground: Scarborough (Yorkshire)

    Joker: Anthony McGrath

    Favourite partnership: Henry Davids

    Take to war: Roelof van der Merwe.

     

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