Cricket is a sport where height can be a big advantage, especially for bowlers. Tall players can make the ball bounce more, which makes it harder for batters to hit.
Over the years, many tall cricketers have made their mark on the game. They’ve shown how being tall can help them play better and win matches for their teams.
In this article, we’ll look at the top 10 tallest cricketers in the world. We’ll talk about how tall they are, where they’re from, and what they’ve done in cricket.
These players have used their height to become great at the sport. Some of them are still playing today, while others have retired but are still remembered for their amazing skills.
We’ll start with the tallest cricket player ever and work our way down the list. Each player has a unique story and has helped make cricket exciting to watch.
Whether you’re a big cricket fan or just curious about tall athletes, you’ll find this list interesting.
These tall cricketers come from different countries and have played in various cricket leagues around the world.
Some have set records, won big tournaments, and become famous for their skills. Their height has helped them stand out, but it’s their talent and hard work that made them great players.
Tallest Cricketers In The World
Let’s dive in and learn about these towering cricket stars. We’ll look at their careers, their best moments, and why being tall helped them succeed in cricket.
Get ready to be amazed by these giants of the game!
List Of Top 10 Tallest Cricketers In The World
Here’s a quick look at the top 10 tallest cricketers in the world:
Name | Age | Height (CM) | Height (Feet) | Country |
---|---|---|---|---|
Mohammad Irfan | 41 | 216 | 7’1″ | Pakistan |
Joel Garner | 71 | 203 | 6’8″ | West Indies |
Bruce Reid | 60 | 203 | 6’8″ | Australia |
Curtly Ambrose | 60 | 201 | 6’7″ | West Indies |
Sulieman Benn | 42 | 201 | 6’7″ | West Indies |
Steven Finn | 34 | 201 | 6’7″ | England |
Jason Holder | 32 | 201 | 6’7″ | West Indies |
Chris Tremlett | 42 | 201 | 6’7″ | England |
Peter George | 37 | 198 | 6’6″ | Australia |
Kyle Jamieson | 29 | 203 | 6’8″ | New Zealand |
Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these tall cricketers.
Top 10 Tallest Cricketers In The World 2024
Mohammad Irfan
- Age: 41
- Height: 216 cm (7’1″)
- Country: Pakistan
Mohammad Irfan is the tallest cricketer in the world. At 7 feet 1 inch tall, he towers over other players on the field. Irfan is a fast bowler from Pakistan who has made a big impact in cricket.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- Pakistan national team
- Multan Sultans (Pakistan Super League)
Achievements and Records:
- Made his ODI debut in 2010
- Has an impressive bowling average in limited-overs cricket
- In ODIs: 83 wickets with an economy rate of 4.87
- In T20Is: 16 wickets with an economy rate of 6.90
Irfan’s height gives him a unique advantage when bowling. He can make the ball bounce more, which makes it hard for batters to hit. Many top batsmen have found it tough to face his deliveries. Despite starting his international career late, Irfan has made a name for himself in cricket with his exceptional height and bowling skills.
Joel Garner
- Age: 71
- Height: 203 cm (6’8″)
- Country: West Indies
Joel Garner, known as “Big Bird,” was one of the most feared bowlers in cricket history. His tall height and accurate bowling made him a key player for the West Indies team in the 1970s and 1980s.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- West Indies national team
- Somerset (English County Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Won the Cricket World Cup in 1979
- One of the best bowling averages in ODIs
- In ODIs: 146 wickets with an economy rate of 3.09
- In Tests: 259 wickets with an economy rate of 2.47
Garner was famous for his deadly yorkers and bouncers. His height allowed him to bowl at steep angles, making it very difficult for batsmen. He was a big part of the West Indies team that dominated world cricket for many years. Even today, many consider Garner one of the greatest fast bowlers ever.
Bruce Reid
- Age: 60
- Height: 203 cm (6’8″)
- Country: Australia
Bruce Reid was a tall left-arm fast bowler who played for Australia. His height and skill made him a tough bowler to face, especially on Australian pitches.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- Australian national team
- Western Australia (Domestic Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- A key player in Australia’s bowling attack in the late 1980s and early 1990s
- In Tests: 113 wickets with an economy rate of 2.63
- In ODIs: 63 wickets with an economy rate of 3.72
Reid’s career was shorter than many others due to injuries, but he made a big impact when he played. He could swing the ball both ways and his height allowed him to get extra bounce. Reid was an important part of Australia’s cricket team during his playing years and helped them become a strong force in world cricket.
Curtly Ambrose
- Age: 60
- Height: 201 cm (6’7″)
- Country: West Indies
Curtly Ambrose is considered one of the best fast bowlers in cricket history. His tall height and precise bowling made him a nightmare for batsmen around the world.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- West Indies national team
- Northamptonshire (English County Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame
- A key figure in West Indies’ dominance during the late 1980s and 1990s
- In Tests: 405 wickets with an economy rate of 2.30
- In ODIs: 225 wickets with an economy rate of 3.48
Ambrose was known for bowling long, accurate spells that often won matches for the West Indies. He could bowl fast and also move the ball, making it very hard for batsmen to score runs against him. His partnership with Courtney Walsh formed one of the most feared bowling pairs in cricket history.
Sulieman Benn
- Age: 42
- Height: 201 cm (6’7″)
- Country: West Indies
Sulieman Benn is a tall left-arm spinner from the West Indies. Unlike most tall cricketers who are fast bowlers, Benn is a spinner who uses his height to get extra bounce and turn.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- West Indies national team
- Barbados (Domestic Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Played in multiple ICC tournaments for the West Indies
- A consistent performer in domestic cricket
- In Tests: 87 wickets with an economy rate of 2.91
- In ODIs: 39 wickets with an economy rate of 4.67
Benn’s unique combination of height and spin bowling made him a valuable player for the West Indies. He could trouble batsmen with his bounce and turn, especially on pitches that helped spinners. While not as famous as some other tall cricketers, Benn made important contributions to West Indies cricket during his career.
Steven Finn
- Age: 34
- Height: 201 cm (6’7″)
- Country: England
Steven Finn is an English fast bowler known for his height and speed. He has been an important part of England’s bowling attack in various formats of the game.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- England national team
- Middlesex (County Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Member of England’s 2015 Cricket World Cup squad
- Consistent wicket-taker in all formats
- In Tests: 125 wickets with an economy rate of 3.62
- In ODIs: 102 wickets with an economy rate of 4.74
Finn’s height allows him to generate good bounce and pace, which has troubled many batsmen. He has played key roles in several important series for England, including Ashes victories. While injuries have affected his career at times, Finn remains a talented fast bowler who has made significant contributions to English cricket.
Jason Holder
- Age: 32
- Height: 201 cm (6’7″)
- Country: West Indies
Jason Holder is a tall all-rounder from the West Indies. He’s known not just for his height, but also for his leadership skills and ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- West Indies national team
- Barbados Royals (Caribbean Premier League)
Achievements and Records:
- Former captain of the West Indies team
- Named ICC Test Player of the Year in 2019
- In Tests: 143 wickets and 2,655 runs
- In ODIs: 153 wickets and 2,019 runs
Holder’s all-round abilities make him a key player for the West Indies. As a bowler, his height helps him get extra bounce. As a batsman, he can score important runs lower down the order. His leadership has been crucial in guiding the West Indies team through challenging times. Holder is seen as one of the best all-rounders in modern cricket.
Chris Tremlett
- Age: 42
- Height: 201 cm (6’7″)
- Country: England
Chris Tremlett is a former English fast bowler who used his height to great effect. He was particularly successful in Test cricket, where his bounce and pace troubled many top batsmen.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- England national team
- Surrey (County Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Part of England’s Ashes-winning squad in 2010-11
- In Tests: 53 wickets with an economy rate of 2.93
- In ODIs: 15 wickets with an economy rate of 5.23
Tremlett’s performances were crucial in England’s Ashes victories, especially the 2010-11 series in Australia. His ability to extract bounce from the pitch made him a handful for batsmen, particularly on Australian wickets. While injuries limited his playing time, Tremlett is remembered for his impact in key matches for England.
Peter George
- Age: 37
- Height: 198 cm (6’6″)
- Country: Australia
Peter George is a tall Australian fast bowler who had a brief international career. While he didn’t play many games for Australia, his height and pace made him a notable figure in domestic cricket.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- Australian national team (briefly)
- South Australia (Domestic Cricket)
Achievements and Records:
- Known for his remarkable height and bowling speed
- In Tests: 2 wickets with an economy rate of 3.20
George’s international career was short, but he showed promise with his height and pace. He made his Test debut against India and took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar as his first international wicket. While he didn’t play much for Australia after that, George continued to be a consistent performer in domestic cricket.
Kyle Jamieson
- Age: 29
- Height: 203 cm (6’8″)
- Country: New Zealand
Kyle Jamieson is one of the newest tall cricketers to make a big impact in international cricket. The young New Zealand fast bowler has quickly become a key player for his team in all formats.
Key Teams & Leagues:
- New Zealand national team
- Royal Challengers Bangalore (Indian Premier League)
Achievements and Records:
- Won the ICC World Test Championship in 2021
- A consistent performer in international cricket
- In Tests: 72 wickets with an economy rate of 2.38
- In ODIs: 22 wickets with an economy rate of 4.28
Jamieson’s height allows him to get extra bounce, even on flat pitches. He’s not just a bowler though – he can also bat well, making him a valuable all-rounder.
In his short career so far, Jamieson has already played a crucial role in New Zealand’s World Test Championship victory. Many cricket experts believe he has a bright future ahead and could become one of the best all-rounders in the world.
Conclusion:
These top 10 tallest cricketers have shown how height can be a big advantage in cricket.
From Mohammad Irfan’s towering presence to Kyle Jamieson’s all-round skills, each player has used their height in unique ways to succeed in the sport.
Some key points to remember:
- Height matters in cricket: Tall bowlers can get extra bounce, which makes it hard for batsmen to play their shots.
- Not just for fast bowlers: While most tall cricketers are fast bowlers, players like Sulieman Benn show that spinners can use height to their advantage too.
- All-round impact: Some tall cricketers, like Jason Holder and Kyle Jamieson, are great all-rounders who contribute with both bat and ball.
- Historical impact: Players like Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose were key to their teams’ success and are remembered as some of the best bowlers ever.
- Ongoing legacy: Younger players like Kyle Jamieson are carrying on the tradition of tall cricketers making a big impact in the game.
While being tall is an advantage, it’s important to remember that these players didn’t succeed just because of their height.
They worked hard on their skills, fitness, and game understanding to become great cricketers. Their height was a tool they used well, but their success came from their dedication to the sport.
As cricket continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how future tall cricketers use their height to their advantage.
Will we see more tall spinners like Benn? Or more all-rounders like Holder and Jamieson? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain – tall cricketers will continue to play a big role in shaping the future of this exciting sport.
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