Ben Stokes vs Ravindra Jadeja: Who is a better all-rounder - In Numbers

Much of the talk before the final Test at The Oval is about Ben Stokes and how much England are likely to miss both his inspirational leadership and once-in-a-generation all-round talent. And as he showed in Manchester, where he scored 141 and had match figures of 6-105, there are few more influential players than Stokes when on top of his game. He has been, by a street, England’s best bowler in the series, taking 17 wickets at an average of 25, and has contributed 304 runs as well.

The opposition also have an all-rounder in their ranks, someone whose career batting and bowling averages are both better than Stokes’. But few bring up Ravindra Jadeja in any discussions about the game’s greatest all-rounders. Is that to do with a bias against spin-bowling all-rounders, or because the Indian media itself hasn’t spoken much of Jadeja in that light?

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At first glance, the numbers brook no argument. Jadeja has made nearly 4000 runs in 84 Tests while averaging 37.86. His 330 wickets, exactly 100 more than Stokes, have come at a miserly average of 25. His batting average is 10 runs better than Richard Hadlee, and he has five Test tons to Hadlee’s five. Yet, Hadlee’s name routinely crops up in great all-rounder discussions. Jadeja is considered grudgingly.