text: They are at different stages of their career.  Ponting is at his peak, his average up to 58 (the all time 9th best career average) and is the number 1 ranked test and ODI batsman.  Lara and Tendulkar are near the end of their careers, both with career averages down below 55.  Lara peaked in his first 40 matches with an average over 60, Tendulkar, like Ponting, peaked from 50-100 matches.