As Sachin Tendulkar knocks up another double century and pounds the Australians into the dirt, the inevitable question has to be asked: Is the now 37-year-old Indian the best of them all? Better than Lara, Hobbs, or even, dare it be said, Sir Donald Bradman? Sports reporter Steve Hepburn seeks some opinion from cricket watchers.
Iain Gallaway, former cricket commentator, Otago Cricket Association patron:
It really is impossible to say as there are so many problems and variations when comparing eras.
But there is no doubt he [Tendulkar] is a wonderful player.
It is amazing what he has done and to maintain that fitness for that amount of time.
He has spent hundreds of hours playing on wickets in all sorts of conditions.
I've always thought when a team is in trouble over there in India and Pakistan they usually fold but not now with Tendulkar.
Whether he is as good as Bradman it really is impossible to say.
They are playing on much better pitches [now], but the bowling is a lot more sophisticated.
But Tendulkar comes very much in the top echelon.
And he is a very nice chap, too.
Martin Crowe, former New Zealand captain:
Bradman said it himself that Tendulkar was the closest he ever got to watching himself.
The longevity of Tendulkar is amazing - the way he keeps going and does not let anything hinder him.
He is still motivated, still has the hunger to score runs.
Maybe that is because he has been away from the captaincy.
He hasn't been burdened by that.
He hasn't had that difficult job to do so he can just concentrate on his batting.
He plays the game in terrific spirit.
But to compare him to Bradman is hard.
They both were the best in their eras, just like Sobers was, just like Viv Richards was.
Ross Dykes, former national selector, Otago Cricket Association chief executive:
It is impossible to compare generations but I think you can safely say they [Bradman and Tendulkar] were the greatest of their era and they stood head and shoulders above anyone else at this time.
So they could be compared for that.
Is Tendulkar fit to be in the same room as Bradman?
Hell, yes.
Tendulkar has done it for such a long time and the thing is he had done it in all forms of cricket.
He's done it in test cricket, in one-day cricket, and in twenty/20 cricket.
You compare him with Lara and the like and he is still ahead of them.
It is amazing that he can still go on and keeps playing.
I suppose that comes down to individual motivation, and the fact he loves the game.
He has never been part of any controversy and that may be why he has done so well and continues to play.
Glenn Turner, former New Zealand captain, current national selector:
I don't think there is much point comparing players from different eras.
I never saw Bradman play, obviously.
But Tendulkar can obviously play a bit.
If you have the longevity that he has in the game then you are going to knock over a few stats.
People like to debate comparisons of players from different eras but that is not for me.
But as for Tendulkar the player, then he has a huge respect for the game and has never got into any trouble.
I don't know what his life must be like in India but he has hero worship and I don't think he could walk down the street.
But in saying that he has made a lot of money from the game.
He has had his injury problems but if you can still score 200 over there in those hot, dry conditions then he must be still doing pretty well.
The way he is playing he may not be able to give up - they [Indian fans] may not let him.
But once that motivation and drive goes he will know then he has to give it up.
