Interesting - first, I am only concerned with internationals here, not the mercenary stuff. I have no doubt de Villiers is the best all-round batsman in the world, but his 20:20 international record pales compared to McCullum and Gayle, as does Warner...
McCullum 71 internationals 2 centuries, 13 50s, avg 35.7 and SR 136
Gayle 45 internationals 1 century 13 50s avg 35.2 and SR 142
Not light years, pretty close, and I'll take McCullum
You' strike me as a very bright man JJ, you won't take McCullum after seeing this. Maybe you will on BMac's India and Australian games, but I would go with Gayle for his Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and India performances.
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/51880.html?class=3;template=results;type=batting
http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/player/37737.html?class=3;template=results;type=batting
But you make an interesting point to ignore the mercenary stuff. With the exception of WC T20, I think the highest level T20 is actually the mercenary stuff. The BBL matches are hard fought with Hodge, Pietersen and Kallis going for it. The West Indian spinners have dominated the mercenary stuff, and the likes of Brad Hogg are guns at 44. The IPL likewise is an incredibly high standard with so much money on the line for the players.
The ICC T20I rankings has Aaron Finch #1, Faf Du PLessis#3 and Alex Hales#4 are in the top 5 for World T20I ahead of Gayle and Warner. ABDV is #34.
No way is that remotely accurate.
I think mercenary T20 is the benchmark bar WC T20I, every bit as much if not more than T20I. Its an anomaly but its real. Bit like the NBA and world basketball used to be (or still is). I see greater quality in BBL games than many T20I I watch as the tired tourists and home team real out the C grade bowling units and the established batsmen giggle as nothing really hinges on it. IPL teams look at ODI performances for hiring T20 players who can handle or succeed in big match situations.
I mean take NZ this year, McCullum, Boult and Southee miss the limited overs tour to SA and do not play the T20s. You don't see them missing IPL tours to rest and recouperate. And in those games they can be dropped to the bench (due admittedly to a 4 import player max rule).
The cash rich mercenary IPL tournaments are not like normal domestic cricket. They are a higher level compared to international cricket than First Class cricket is to test cricket. There is so much money on the line in domestic T20 leagues and the further opportunities and chances for players to really make a name for themselves from out of nowhere in the likes of the BBL as previously non-established names, like David Warner out of grade cricket to superstar circa 2009/10. Craig Simmons is a (failing recently)example of a journeyman domestic player out of FC cricket but suddenly thrust in the T20 spotlight.
Going by previous WC T20Is - that is when the old players like Hogg and Hodge are actually given credit by the national selectors, as there is a point to winning the tournament so as to select the best team. On tours, they seem to blood new talent close to making the ODI team one day in the future.
