England cricketer Moeen Ali has sensibly ranked former Proteas star Jacques Kallis a better all-rounder than teammate Ben Stokes.

Stokes averages under 37 and over 40 after 63 and 95 ODIs, respectively, with the bat. His bowling average is above 32 and 41 in the respective formats.

Kallis, who retired from international cricket in 2014, averaged over 55 and 44 in Tests and ODIs, respectively, with the bat. The ball brought him an average of under 33 in Tests and more than 31 in ODIs.

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‘You’d probably have to go Kallis as it stands because his body of work is so much bigger: more runs, wickets, catches. But if Stokes carries on like he is he will become one of the greatest players to ever play the game. No doubt,’ Ali told the Guardian.

Former captain Nasser Hussain, meanwhile, is relatively confident Stokes will eventually overtake Sir Ian Botham as England’s most prolific all-rounder.

‘Ian is the greatest cricketer to have played for England. Ben may end up taking over by the end of his career if he carries on the way he has done, but Botham is No 1 for the extraordinary things he did,’ added Hussain.

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