Former Australia pacer Brett Lee has shared that he feels that legendary India cricketer Sachin Tendulkar is the best batter ever to play the game. However, he reserved the tag of best cricketer ever for a South African player.

Being the best batter and being the best all-around cricket player are two different things, according to Lee. The Australian chose former South Africa all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the best cricket player, but he was unhesitant in calling Tendulkar the best batter he had ever seen.

While acknowledging Tendulkar's remarkable batting career, Lee contended that Kallis is in a separate class due to his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.

"I've always said that I think that the best batsman to ever play the game is Sachin Tendulkar. But the best cricketer is Jacques Kallis. He's got the best numbers in the world. If you look at his stats, the stats don't lie. He's incredible," Brett Lee said on the Beer Biceps podcast.

Sachin Tendulkar retired from cricket in 2013, with 15921 runs in 200 Tests and 18426 runs in 463 ODIs, and a total of 100 international centuries. He also took 46 Test, 154 ODI, and one T20I wicket.

Lee's admiration for Kallis also stemmed from his close observation of the South African throughout their international rivalry and then as teammates in the IPL. While Lee played with the Kolkata Knight Riders from 2011 to 2013, Kallis did so from 2011 to 2014. Kallis' extremely laid-back attitude prior to games really struck the former Australia bowler.

"But to be alongside as a teammate and to watch him prepare for a game, his heart rate was about 30 beats a minute before going out to bat as he was chilled out. So relaxed," Lee added.

Jacques Kallis played for South Africa from 1995 to 2014. He made 13289 runs in 166 Tests with 45 centuries, 11579 runs in 328 ODIs with 17 centuries, and 666 runs in 25 T20Is. He also took 292 Test, 273 ODI, and 12 T20I wickets.