What is an all rounder?

Or, rather, what do I consider an all rounder, because the term is thrown about with a fair amount of abandon - I remember once Billy Lawry referring to Brett Lee as an allrounder after Lee had hit a few fifties, but Lee was clearly a bowler who was a useful batter. There are plenty of players like this (eg Paul Reiffel, Kerry O'Keefe) - just as there are plenty of batsmen who are useful bowlers (eg. Michael Clarke, Alan Border).

I tend to use the following as a criteria:
* Is their batting average higher than their bowling average? (Not a perfect guide but useful).
* Is their test/first class batting average over 30, and bowling average under 30? (This isn't perfect either - Sobers' test bowling average was 34, but his first class one was 27.)
* Do they average at least two wickets per first class game?

I think out of all of these the most useful criteria is the 30 average cut off... not infallible but very useful. It also helps highlight players who might be an all rounder at first class level but not at test level.

For instance, Richie Benaud, has a great bowling record in first class and test matches - but his test batting average (24) is more than ten runs less than his first class average (36). I would argue Richie, great as he was, was not a test class all rounder. Ditto - and sorry to offend any Kiwi readers of this blog, should such things exist - Richard Hadlee (31 FC vs 27 tests).

Wicket-keeping all rounders are a separate issue.... some are not sure if they should even be classified as all rounders. But I would stick with the 30 average as a cut off... only adding the fact that they need to be a full time wicketkeeper. Rod Marsh and Ian Healy both averaged over 30 at first class level but under it at tests, which is why I would not consider them test class all rounders - but Gilchrist definitely.

Regardless I do feel that the label "all rounder" is far too quickly slapped on players. For years the English press have tried to spruik Stuart Broad as an all rounder. Australian cricket writers tried to do the same thing with Shaun Graf. Just because a bowler or keeper hits a century or a batsman takes five wickets does not make them an all rounder.