Cricket has definitely seen some legendary players – those who are incredible when it comes to batting and bowlers who can’t stop taking wickets. And then there are the all-rounders who are excellent at both batting and bowling; those players who make the biggest contributions to their teams.
The conversation over who is the greatest-ever cricket all-rounder of all time is never going to come to a proper conclusion as there are several players who could stake their claim to the title. Here we look at some of the names that should definitely be thrown into the mix.
Our Top Contenders
So, with that being said, here are the names that stand out…
Sir Garfield Sobers – West Indies
Sir Garfield Sobers of the West Indies, is arguably the greatest ever all-rounder in cricket history. This was a man who wasn’t just a phenomenal batsman, but he was also a highly effective bowler.
Looking at the stats, he scored a massive 8,032 Test runs, had an average of 57.78 and took no less than 235 wickets. He had an ability to bowl both pace and spin, which made him incredibly versatile. He was also renowned for his elegant batting – and his incredible records definitely make him one of the top candidates for the best all-rounder… ever.
Jacques Kallis – South Africa
Next, we have Kallis, another player who is widely considered to be one of the most complete cricketers of all time. This player scored no less than 13,289 Test runs at an average of 55.37 and took 292 wickets – statistics that are unparalleled.
In terms of ODIs, he amassed more than 1,000 runs and took more than 250 wickets. He also had the ability to anchor an innings and deliver important breakthroughs with the ball – and this certainly makes him another strong contender.
Kapil Dev – India
How could we have a list that doesn’t include a player from India – and that player is Kapil Dev, who led India to their first World Cup win back in 1983… and was a real match-winner.
He scored over 5,000 Test runs and took an impressive 434 wickets, which by our reckoning, makes him one of the best fast-bowling all-rounders. He had an aggressive batting style and an ability to swing the ball effectively which always made him the most important player in the team.
Ian Botham – England
There was a time when everyone was betting on the England cricket team to win – and that was partly because of Botham, who was not just a game-changer for England, but an all-round entertainer. Beefy scored an incredulous 5,200 Test runs and took 383 wickets – and he was capable of turning a whole match single-handedly.
His legendary performances, including the iconic 1981 Ashes series, were more than enough to cement his status as one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket.
Imran Khan – Pakistan
Although he’s more of a political figure now, he used to be one of the biggest names in the cricket world. And his legacy as an all-rounder and captain is undeniable. He was the man who led Pakistan to their first World Cup win in 1992 – and was an incredible fast bowler with 362 Test wickets to his name. He also had an ability to bat under pressure and leadership qualities that really set him apart from other top players.
Ben Stokes – England
If we’re looking for more modern-day cricketers, it would be remiss of us not to mention Ben Stokes who stands out because of his incredible performances and has been one of England’s best finishers – when it mattered the most.
Who can forget his heroics in the 2019 World Cup final – and the Headingley Ashes Test? With over 6,000 Test runs and 200+ wickets – and he’s nowhere near finished yet, he is still making his mark as an incredible all-rounder and game-changer.
So, that’s our list – but we’re sure there are many more who also deserve a mention! Who do you think is the best all-rounder in cricket history?