Loved Clarke as a batsman but the disparity in his away record compared to home is why he won't be considered up there with the greats, and instead alongside someone like Jayawardene. His away record isn't horrible as outlined above, but he doesn't have any countries where he stands out in.
And whilst we're discussing the quality of batsman of the past, I'll bring up something controversial. Ricky Ponting to me was overrated. Batted with a lot a quality batsman around him for basically his entire career, and then came in at first drop in an era with a lot of shit bowlers. Struggled badly in India, against quality seam bowling, and for the last part of his career. Had technical flaws in his game that could be exploited, especially early on, and is a product of what to me is shit coaching in this country that teaches you to go hard at the ball and try to get your front foot forward everytime.
Finally, I think he lacked in ability to really come out and play a big innings when his team needed him, especially in tough conditions - the type you saw often from Border, Waugh, and now Smith. I'd even put Clarke ahead of him in his ability to make runs when they were badly needed.
