Cricket has undergone significant transformations over its more than century-long history. New formats, modifications to the rules, and technological progress have reshaped the sport and presented difficulties in evaluating athletes from various periods. Assessing the top cricketers of all time involves taking into account numerous factors.
Several legendary contemporary athletes have been drawn to the allure of T20 cricket, a path unavailable in previous eras. This format has significantly impacted the game, offering new opportunities for players. On the other hand, some players have never had the chance to participate in a 50-over World Cup. In recent times, Test cricket has taken a backseat in importance for certain countries.
Data plays a crucial role in guiding choices for evaluating cricketers. The absence of video evidence makes the visual inspection method unavailable to numerous athletes. However, even with the available figures, comparing the ‘superlative’ status of AB De Villiers and W.G. Grace will always be complex. Let’s have a look at the best cricketers in the world.
1. Sir Don Bradman
Sir Don Bradman’s exceptional skill compelled England to adopt contentious Bodyline strategies to impede his prolific scoring. Leading ‘The Invincibles’ post-World War II, Bradman is remembered for concluding his Test career with a single run, marking an average of 99.94 which makes him the greatest cricketer of all time.
While Richards dominated with his overpowering batting, Tendulkar was the epitome of textbook brilliance, and Bradman’s approach to the game had its idiosyncrasies. As his career in international cricket progressed, his style shifted from a focus on aggressive play to a more defensive accumulation strategy.
2. Sachin Tendulkar
From the moment he stepped onto the Indian cricket scene at 15, Sachin Tendulkar has transcended the role of a mere athlete. As the top scorer in Test matches and ODI games, Tendulkar has been hailed as a demigod in his homeland and is widely recognised as one of the best cricketer in the world all time.
Tendulkar’s almost flawless approach to the game has enabled him to shine on every continent. His powerful straight drive that sails over the bowler’s head is a legendary move in cricket, comparable to a Ricky Ponting pull or an Ian Bell cover drive.
3. Sir Garfield Sobers
Sir Garfield Sobers is undeniably the most all-around cricketer in history. Sobers is incomparable, a powerful, graceful batsman, a skilled, adaptable bowler, and an exceptionally talented fielder.
A gap of two decades spanned between Sobers’s debut and retirement from Test cricket, during which he scored 8,032 runs (with an average over 57), achieved 26 centuries, recorded a high score of 365 not out, and took 235 wickets across different types of spin and seam bowling. Although white-ball cricket only started to gain popularity towards the end of Sobers’s career, it’s clear he would have shone in the more condensed formats of the game.
4. Shane Warne
Considering Shane Warne’s retirement and his 92 fewer Test wickets and 241 fewer ODI wickets compared to Muralitharan, elevating him to such a high position might be questionable.
Warne excelled in batting and fielding, surpassing Muralitharan in both areas. His intense drive and passion for significant moments distinguish him from all other bowlers in cricket’s past. When it comes down to a close game, Warne is the player you’d choose to bat with.
5. Viv Richards
At the core of dominant West Indies teams, Viv Richards consistently averaged 50 runs per innings in Test matches and 47 in One Day Internationals. However, Richards’s impact on the bowling side of the game went beyond just scoring runs. He was a force to be reckoned with on the field, delivering powerful shots that often left the opposition in awe.
His ability to hit the ball precisely was unparalleled, allowing for shots that seemed almost impossible to others. Richards’s bold and direct approach to facing bowlers was ahead of time. Many legendary players, including Bob Willis, Brian Lara, and Dennis Lillee, have praised Richards as the greatest batsman they’ve ever encountered.
6. Muttiah Muralitharan
Conquering nearly unending doubts about his abilities, Muttiah Muralitharan accumulated 800 Test wickets and 534 ODI victories. He holds the top spot in both competitions. Despite extensive studies on Murali’s technique and the apparent definitive test of bowling with an arm brace, sceptics will always question his authenticity.
Muralitharan’s achievements remain solid despite these critics, and he has significantly influenced the shift in perception towards off-spin bowling. No other bowler will match Murali’s skill, and many of his achievements will remain unbeaten for years.
7. Malcolm Marshall
Only four players have surpassed Malcolm Marshall’s impressive strike rate in Test matches, with only one being better than him. At the moment of his retirement, Marshall held the record for the most wickets taken in Test matches for the West Indies with a total of 376, and his average of 20.94 is the highest among any bowler with more than 200 wickets. Marshall stood out even when competing with other West Indian fast bowlers.
He wasn’t as tall as many of his colleagues. Still, his bouncer was incredibly intimidating, and he refined his technique by incorporating an in-swinger and leg-cutter into his repertoire of natural bouncers. If being considered one of the greatest fast bowlers in the sport’s history wasn’t enough, Marshall was also skilled with the willow, ending his career with 10 Test fifties.
8. Jack Hobbs
The top scorer and record-breaking century-maker in first-class cricket needed to secure a spot on this ranking. Jack Hobbs, aptly called ‘The Master’, averaged slightly under 57 runs per match in 61 Tests.
His career was interrupted by the First World War, resulting in a 22-year gap between his initial and final Tests for his country. Finding footage of Hobbs in action is often difficult, but many view him as a quick and creative hitter. Throughout his career, Hobbs earned the respect of many, and among those who had the opportunity to watch him play, a significant majority believed he was the best of his era.
9. Imran Khan
The 1980s stood out as a shining era for versatile players, featuring Dev, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan at the top of their game. Imran was the standout among the group, not only for his role in boosting Pakistan’s passion for cricket but also for his exceptional skills as a fast bowler, a skilled hitter, and a respected captain. Imran concluded his unparalleled career with a victory at the 1992 World Cup- a perfect conclusion for a player who matured into greatness. During his final years of Test cricket, he maintained an average of 50 runs with the bat and 19 wickets with the ball.
10. Kapil Dev
Kapil Dev’s total of 434 wickets is the highest in history until Courtney Walsh surpassed him in 2000. While some of Dev’s records have stood the test of time, he remains unmatched as the sole player to achieve 400 wickets and 5,000 runs in Test cricket.
Additionally, he is the youngest captain to lead his team to a World Cup victory. Looking only at averages doesn’t capture Dev’s true significance. His influence was much more profound than his average performance might indicate, a situation common among many impactful all-rounders.
Also Read: Unbreakable Cricket Records: 10 Milestones That Stand The Test Of Time
