Cricket has ruled over the world for the last three decades. People from all over the world enjoy cricket and show their love to cricketers immensely. There have been many great players in cricket so far.
But some of the players made themselves the greatest cricketers of all time. We have gathered the list of the top 55 greatest cricketers of all time based on the records and impact they have contributed to cricket history.
Below is the list of Top 55 Greatest Cricketers Of All Time:
| Sr.No | Cricketers Name | Country |
| 1. | Sachin Tendulkar | India |
| 2. | Don Bradman | Australia |
| 3. | Viv Richards | West Indies |
| 4. | Gary Sobers | West Indies |
| 5. | Shane Warne | Australia |
| 6. | Imran Khan | Pakistan |
| 7. | Virat Kohli | India |
| 8. | Brian Lara | West Indies |
| 9. | Muttiah Muralitharan | Sri Lanka |
| 10. | Sydney Barnes | England |
| 11. | Ian Botham | England |
| 12. | Jacques Kallis | South Africa |
| 13. | Wasim Akram | Pakistan |
| 14. | Jack Hobbs | England |
| 15. | MS Dhoni | India |
| 16. | James Anderson | England |
| 17. | Rahul Dravid | India |
| 18. | W.G Grace | England |
| 19. | Richard Hadlee | New Zealand |
| 20. | Ricky Ponting | Australia |
| 21. | Frank Worrell | West Indies |
| 22. | Kapil Dev | India |
| 23. | Glenn McGrath | Australia |
| 24. | Allan Border | Australia |
| 25. | Alastair Cook | England |
| 26. | Walter Hammond | England |
| 27. | Kumara Sangakkara | Sri Lanka |
| 28. | Curtley Ambrose | West Indies |
| 29. | Wilfred Rhodes | England |
| 30. | Malcolm Marshall | West Indies |
| 31. | Frank Wooley | England |
| 32. | Barry Richards | South Africa |
| 33. | Dennis Lille | Australia |
| 34. | Sunil Gavaskar | India |
| 35. | Len Hutton | England |
| 36. | Dale Steyn | South Africa |
| 37. | Herbert Sutcliffe | England |
| 38. | Robert Graeme Pollock | South Africa |
| 39. | Zaheer Abbas | Pakistan |
| 40. | Steve Waugh | Australia |
| 41. | Courtney Walsh | West indies |
| 42. | Bill O’Reilly | Australia |
| 43. | AB De Villiers | South Africa |
| 44. | Adam Gilchrist | Australia |
| 45. | Allan Donald | South Africa |
| 46. | Mahela Jayawardene | Sri Lanka |
| 47. | Fred Trueman | England |
| 48. | Waqar Younis | Pakistan |
| 49. | Dennis Compton | England |
| 50. | Anil Kumble | India |
| 51. | Derek Underwood | England |
| 52. | Chris Gayle | West indies |
| 53. | Hanif Mohammad | Pakistan |
| 54. | Geroge Headley | West Indies |
| 55. | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka |
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
Sachin Tendulkar is the god of cricket. He has been one of the greatest cricketers of all time for more than two decades. Sachin has been on the top of the charts to hold the record for the highest runs in ODI and Test cricket.
He has also won MoM awards numerous times in comparison to other players. The total number of runs Sachin has scored in his career span of 1989-2012 is 34,357.
He played 664 international cricket matches. Sachin Tendulkar was one the most inspiring cricketers from India.
He has been honoured with several prestigious awards which include Padma Vibhushan, Padma Shri, Khel Ratna Award and Arjuna Award. Another prominent achievement of Tendulkar is the gates named after his name in Sydney Cricket Ground.
2. Don Bradman (Australia)
Don Bradman is affectionately regarded as the ‘The Don’. He was someone who made Australian cricket reach globally.
Don Bradman was very famous at his time due to his remarkable cricketing shots and average while batting. He played a total of 52 test matches in his career span of 1928 to 1948 scoring a total of 6996 runs.
Don Bradman was the living legend of Australia. He has been lucky enough to witness the notable honouring after his name.
An entire museum was dedicated to Don Bradman plus his image was printed on postage stamps and coins. Last but not least Don Bradman was the greatest captain of the Australian cricket team.
3. Viv Richards (West Indies)
The full name of Viv Richards is Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. He was one of the greatest cricketers of all time from the West Indies.
Viv Richards played a prominent role in making the West Indies win the cricket World Cup in 1975 and 1979. Vivian Richards, who played cricket from 1974 to the early 1990s, had a fantastic career.
He was a top batsman and captain for the West Indies. He had some eye problems in 1984 but continued to be a great player.
He scored lots of runs in Test and One Day matches. He even received a knighthood for his cricket contributions.
People consider him one of the best cricketers ever. In 2009, he entered the Cricket Hall of Fame. In 2013, he was picked as one of the best players in the 150-year history of test cricket.
4. Gary Sobers (West Indies)
The full name of Gary Sobers is Garfield St Aubrun Sobers, also known as Sir Garry Sobers. He was an amazing cricketer who could bat, bowl, and field exceptionally well. Gary Sobers was one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
He played for the West Indies, Barbados, Nottinghamshire, and South Australia. He once scored 365 runs in a Test match, setting a record.
He even hit six sixes in an over. He was a versatile and skilled player. Gary Sobers has played a total of 93 matches in which he made 8032 runs in total and took 235 wickets as a bowler.
5. Shane Warne (Australia)
Shane Warne, a famous Australian cricketer, played from 1992 to 2007—one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
Shane was a skilled leg spin bowler and also batted. He set a record by taking 708 wickets in Test cricket. He was part of Australia’s 1999 Cricket World Cup-winning team.
Warne was known for his cricketing genius but faced controversies off the field. He later worked as a commentator and was involved in charity work.
After he died, Shanw was awarded with honours and a statue at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
6. Imran Khan (Pakistan)
Imran Khan, a former cricketer, became the 22nd Prime Minister of Pakistan in August 2018. He founded the political party PTI.
Imran Khan was one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He was known for his all-round skills in cricket, leading Pakistan to win the 1992 Cricket World Cup.
His cricket career lasted from 1971 to 1992. As Prime Minister, he addressed economic challenges and launched initiatives like renewable energy and tree planting.
However, his term faced difficulties, and he was removed from office in April 2022. Later, he encountered legal issues, including an arrest on corruption charges in May 2023.
7. Virat Kohli (India)
Virat Kohli, a renowned Indian cricketer, hailing from Delhi, is known for his exceptional batting skills. He’s a former captain of the Indian national cricket team and currently plays for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL.
Kohli has broken numerous records, is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time, and has received many awards for his cricket performances.
He’s not just a cricket star but also a highly influential and commercially successful athlete globally. Virat Kohli has scored 8676 runs in ODI, 13626 runs in Tests and 4008 runs in t20.
8. Brian Lara (West Indies)
Brian Charles Lara is a former cricketer from Trinidad and Tobago, known for being one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His nickname is “The Prince of Port of Spain.”
Brain Lara achieved many records, including the highest individual score in first-class cricket, where he scored 501 not out.
He also led the West Indies to victory in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy. Lara’s notable achievements include scoring 400 not out in a Test match and holding the record for the most runs scored in a single over for 18 years.
Lara received several awards and honours, including being inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame.
9. Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka)
Muttiah Muralitharan, often known as Murali, is a Sri Lankan cricketer who is considered one of the best bowlers in cricket history.
He’s the only bowler to take 800 wickets in Test matches and more than 530 in One Day Internationals. He was part of the Sri Lankan team that won the 1996 Cricket World Cup.
Muralitharan’s bowling action faced controversy due to his unique arm movement, but it was cleared by the International Cricket Council after a detailed analysis.
He held the number one ranking for Test bowlers for a long time and became the highest wicket-taker in Test cricket in 2007. He retired from Test cricket in 2010 after reaching 800 wickets.
10. Sydney Barnes (England)
Sydney Francis Barnes, born in Smethwick, Staffordshire, on April 19, 1873, and passed away on December 26, 1967, was a famous English greatest cricketer of all time.
He was primarily a bowler known for his unique skills. Barnes was known for his ability to swing the ball late and confuse batsmen.
He was considered one of the best bowlers of his time, and many regarded him as the bowler of the century. His skills were so exceptional that he could spin the ball late, making it difficult for batsmen to pick up.
He played for England and Lancashire, and his remarkable performance earned him a place in the England team in 1901-02. Barnes played a crucial role in several Test matches and was especially effective against Australia.
11. Ian Botham (England)
Ian Terrance Botham is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He was hailed as the best all-rounder from the England cricket team.
Ian is now a commentator and has played for England in test and ODI cricket matches. Ian Botham’s cricket career lasted from 1976 to 1992. Ian has scored many centuries in which he has the individual highest record of 208 runs.
He was a great bowler too and took 5 wickets in 27 innings. Ian Botham also loved to play sports like football, golf and shooting.
12. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
Jacques Henry Kallis is one of the greatest cricketers of all time. He has immense records of more than 10,000 runs and 250 wickets in both the formats test and ODIs. Jacques Kallis is the most exceptional all-rounder ever in cricket history from South Africa.
Kallis is the only player in history to achieve over 10,000 runs and take over 250 wickets in both ODIs and Test matches.
His Test career includes 13,289 runs, 292 wickets, and 200 catches. Kallis won 23 Man-of-the-Match awards in Tests, the most in history.
He played a crucial role in South Africa’s 1998 ICC KnockOut Trophy victory.
Kallis retired from all forms of international cricket in 2014 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2020. Currently, he serves as the batting consultant for the South African national cricket team.
13. Wasim Akram (Pakistan)
Wasim Akram is a former Pakistani cricketer, now known for his commentary and coaching. He’s considered one of the best fast bowlers and left-arm fast bowlers in cricket history, earning the nickname “The Sultan of Swing.” Akram led Pakistan to the 1999 Cricket World Cup finals as captain.
He holds the world record for the most wickets in List A cricket (881) and is second in ODI wickets (502) after Muttiah Muralitharan. Akram is known for pioneering reverse swing bowling and was the first to reach 500 ODI wickets during the 2003 World Cup.
Wisden ranked him the best ODI bowler of all time in 2002. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009 and received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz from the Government of Pakistan in 2019.
14. Jack Hobbs (England)
Jack Hobbs was an English cricketer, known as “The Master.” Playing for Surrey from 1905 to 1934 and England in 61 Test matches from 1908 to 1930, Hobbs is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
He holds the record for the most runs and centuries in first-class cricket, with 61,237 runs and 197 centuries. Hobbs adapted his technique to counter challenging bowling styles and formed effective opening partnerships.
Despite facing ruthless bowlers on challenging pitches, his partnership with Herbert Sutcliffe remains the highest average for a first-wicket partnership in Test history.
Beyond cricket, Hobbs worked in journalism and was knighted in 1953, the first professional cricketer to receive this honour. He passed away in 1963 at the age of 81, a few months after his wife, Ada.
15. MS Dhoni (India)
The former legendary Indian captain cool known as Mahendra Singh Dhoni is by far one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Hailing from Ranchi, Bihar (now in Jharkhand), Dhoni played for the Indian national team from 2004 to 2020.
He captained the team in various formats and led them to victories in major ICC tournaments. Dhoni also captains the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League, achieving multiple titles.
He received prestigious awards like the Khel Ratna and Padma Bhushan for his outstanding contributions to cricket. Dhoni retired from Tests in 2014 and from international cricket in 2020, continuing to play in the IPL.
16. James Anderson (England)
James Michael Anderson is an English cricketer known for playing in the England Test cricket team. He’s considered one of the greatest swing bowlers ever and holds the record for the most wickets by a pace bowler in Test cricket, with over 1100 wickets.
Anderson represents Lancashire County Cricket Club in domestic cricket and was part of England’s 2010 ICC World Twenty20-winning team. Making his Test debut in 2003, he played for England in ODIs from 2002 to 2015 and in T20Is from 2007 to 2009.
Anderson is England’s leading Test wicket-taker and holds the record for being the first fast bowler to take 600 or more Test wickets. As of July 2023, he is ranked as the fourth-best Test bowler globally.
17. Rahul Dravid (India)
Rahul Dravid is a former Indian cricket captain and current head coach of the Indian national team. Known as “Mr. Dependable” and “The Wall,” he is celebrated for his exceptional batting technique.
Rahul Dravid is by far one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Dravid scored 24,177 runs in international cricket and played a crucial role in India winning the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy. Raised in Bangalore, he started playing cricket at 12, representing Karnataka at various levels.
Dravid holds records like being the fourth-highest Test run-scorer and the first to score centuries in all Test-playing countries. He retired from international cricket in 2012 and joined the ICC Hall of Fame in 2018.
18. W.G Grace (England)
William Gilbert Grace was an influential English amateur cricketer and is regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
Despite being labelled an amateur, he earned more from cricket than most professionals, sparking controversy.
Grace played first-class cricket for a remarkable 44 seasons, captaining various teams, including England and Gloucestershire.
As a right-handed batsman and bowler, he dominated the sport and is credited with inventing modern batsmanship.
Grace, part of a cricketing family, excelled in other sports like football and hurdling. He qualified as a medical practitioner in 1879 and left a lasting legacy in cricket.
19. Richard Hadlee (New Zealand)
Sir Richard John Hadlee is a former cricketer from New Zealand. Known as one of cricket’s greatest all-rounders and fast bowlers, he received an MBE in 1980 and a knighthood in 1990 for his contributions to the sport.
Hadlee served as the chairman of the New Zealand Board of Selectors and was honoured as Wisden’s second-greatest Test bowler in 2002.
He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in April 2009 and is a key figure in the Hadlee cricket-playing family.
20. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
Ricky Thomas Ponting is an Australian cricket coach, commentator, and former cricketer. Renowned as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
He captained the Australian national team from 2004 to 2011, achieving significant success in Test and One Day Internationals (ODIs).
Ponting led Australia to victory in the 2003 and 2007 Cricket World Cups and the 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophies.
He holds the record for most ICC tournaments won as a captain in Men’s Cricket. Ponting retired from Test cricket in 2012 with a batting average of 51.85, and he currently serves as the assistant coach of the Australian national men’s cricket team.
21. Frank Worrell (West Indies)
Frank Worrell was a renowned West Indies cricketer and a remarkable captain. He stands out not just for his impressive batting stats, including 3860 runs in 51 Tests at an average of nearly 50.
Besides his cricketing skills, he was a valuable bowler with 69 Test wickets. Frank Worrell was very kind, he donated blood for Nari Contractor after a severe injury during a match.
Worrell passed away prematurely due to leukaemia. Post-retirement, he received a knighthood for his cricket contributions. The Australia-West Indies Test series has been named the Sir Frank Worrell Trophy since 1960-61.
22. Kapil Dev (India)
Kapil Dev is a retired Indian cricketer known for being a fantastic all-rounder. He was a fast-medium bowler and a powerful middle-order batsman.
Kapil Dev holds a unique cricket record, being the only player to take more than 400 wickets (434) and score over 5,000 runs in Test matches.
He led the Indian cricket team to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, making him the youngest captain (at 24) to achieve this feat.
Kapil Dev retired in 1994, having taken 200 ODI wickets and holding the record for the most Test wickets, a record later surpassed by Courtney Walsh in 2000.
Moreover, Kapil Dev coached the Indian national team from September 1999 to September 2000. He has received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 1982, Padma Bhushan in 1991, and being named the Indian Cricketer of the Century by Wisden in 2002.
23. Glenn McGrath (Australia)
Glenn McGrath is a retired Australian cricketer known for his impressive 14-year career. As a fast-medium-pace bowler, he is considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
Glenn McGrath played a key role in Australia’s cricket dominance from the mid-1990s to the late 2000s. McGrath achieved success in multiple World Cups, winning three consecutive titles in 1999, 2003, and 2007.
He holds records for the seventh-highest number of one-day international wickets (381) and the most wickets (71) in the Cricket World Cup.
He retired from Test cricket in 2006 and from ODIs after the 2007 World Cup, where he won the man-of-the-tournament award. McGrath later played in the Indian Premier League for the Delhi DareDevils and now directs the MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai.
24. Allan Border (Australia)
Allan Robert Border is an Australian cricket commentator and former international cricketer. Known by the nickname “A.B.,” he was a prominent batsman and captained the Australian team, leading them to win the 1987 Cricket World Cup, Australia’s first world title. Border played 156 Test matches.
As a left-hand batsman and occasional left-arm orthodox spinner, Border scored 11,174 Test runs with 27 centuries.
He retired as Australia’s most-capped player and leading run-scorer in both Tests and ODIs. Border was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame and named one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland in 2009.
25. Alastair Cook (England)
Sir Alastair Nathan Cook is a former English cricketer and ex-captain of the England Test and One-Day International (ODI) teams.
Recognized as one of the best opening batsmen in test cricket, Cook holds the title of the fifth-highest Test run-scorer and is England’s top run-scorer ever.
Cook, a left-handed opening batsman and a record-holder for scoring the youngest 12,000 Test runs led England in 59 Tests and 69 ODIs.
He boasts a remarkable 33 Test centuries and was the first England player to achieve 50 Test match wins. Cook played a crucial role in England’s Ashes victories in 2009 and 2010–11.
He retired from Test cricket in September 2018 but continued playing for Essex County Cricket Club until 2023.
26. Walter Hammond (England)
Walter Reginald Hammond was an English cricketer who played for Gloucestershire from 1920 to 1951. Initially a professional, he later became an amateur and captained England.
Hammond was known as one of the best batsmen in cricket history, particularly in the 1930s, and was praised for his slip fielding. In his 85 Test matches, Hammond scored 7,249 runs and took 83 wickets. He captained England in 20 Tests, winning four, losing three, and drawing 13.
Hammond held the record for the highest individual Test innings of 336 not out in 1933. His overall first-class cricket career included 50,551 runs and 167 centuries, ranking among the top totals in cricket history.
After retiring in 1947, he struggled financially and faced personal challenges. Walter Hammond died in 1965 due to a heart attack.
27. Kumara Sangakkara (Sri Lanka)
Kumar Chokshanada Sangakkara is a former Sri Lankan cricketer who played in 134 Test matches from 2000 to 2015, captaining fifteen of them.
He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wicket-keeper-batsmen in cricket history, batting left-handed and occasionally bowling as a right-arm off-spinner.
Sangakkara is the second-highest run-scorer in all three formats of international cricket, scoring a total of 28,016 runs, including 63 centuries.
After retiring, he became a commentator for Sky Sports, served as the President of the MCC from October 2019 to October 2020, and took on the role of coach for the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL starting in January 2021.
28. Curtley Ambrose (West Indies)
Sir Curtly Elconn Lynwall Ambrose is a former cricketer from Antigua who played 98 Test matches for the West Indies. Widely recognized as one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, he took 405 Test wickets with an average of 20.99.
He made his West Indies debut in 1988 and played until his retirement in 2000. Ambrose’s bowling skills often turned matches in West Indies’ favour, especially in partnership with Courtney Walsh.
His memorable performances include a remarkable spell against Australia in 1993, where he took seven wickets for just one run. Despite facing injuries in his later years, Ambrose remained a key wicket-taker until his retirement.
29. Wilfred Rhodes (England)
Wilfred Rhodes was an English cricketer who played 58 Test matches for England from 1899 to 1930. In Tests, he achieved the double of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets.
Rhodes holds world records for the most appearances (1,110 matches) and most wickets taken (4,204) in first-class cricket. He accomplished the 1,000-run and 100-wicket double in an English cricket season 16 times, a record.
After retiring, he coached at Harrow School but faced limited success. Wilfred was honoured by the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) in 1949. He passed away in 1973.
30. Malcolm Marshall (West Indies)
Malcolm Denzil Marshall was a renowned Barbadian greatest cricketers of all time. He was known as an exceptional fast bowler. Marshall’s Test bowling average of 20.94 is the best among those with 200 or more wickets.
Malcolm secured 235 wickets in just five years. Marshall also showcased his batting prowess with ten Test fifties and seven first-class centuries.
He concluded his career as West Indies’ all-time highest Test wicket-taker with 376 wickets. In 2009, Marshall was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
31. Frank Wooley (England)
Frank Edward Woolley was an extraordinary left-handed all-rounder in cricket. Frank Wolley is among the greatest cricketers of all time.
His career from 1906 to 1938 set a record of 58,969 runs, taking 2,066 wickets, and securing 1,018 catches. Despite often falling in the ‘nineties,’ Woolley considered his innings against Australia in 1921, where he scored 95 and 93, as his finest.
He retired in 1938 and shared insights on cricket, emphasizing the importance of playing the game and the traditions of Kent cricket. After retirement, he remained involved, becoming a life member of M.C.C. and Kent.
32. Barry Richards (South Africa)
Barry Anderson Richards is a former South African cricketer known as one of the country’s most successful batsmen.
Despite playing only four Test matches against Australia, Richards made a significant impact, scoring 508 runs at an average of 72.57, contributing to South Africa’s 4–0 series win.
Richards excelled in first-class cricket from 1964 to 1983, with 28,358 runs with 80 centuries and an average of 54.74.
He played for various teams, including Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Natal, and South Australia, earning recognition as Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1969.
33. Dennis Lillee (Australia)
Dennis Keith Lillee is a retired Australian cricketer recognized as the “outstanding fast bowler of his generation.”
Upon his retirement in 1984, he held the world record for most Test wickets (355). Making his debut for Western Australia in 1969–70, Lillee impressed with his raw pace, taking 32 wickets in his first season and becoming WA’s leading wicket-taker.
He toured New Zealand, taking 18 wickets at an average of 16.44. A fan poll in 2017 named him in Australia’s best Ashes XI of the previous 40 years. In 2009, Lillee was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
34. Sunil Gavaskar (India)
Sunil Manohar Gavaskar is an Indian cricket commentator and former cricketer, representing India and Bombay from 1971 to 1987.
Widely recognized as one of the greatest opening batsmen ever, Gavaskar had remarkable technique against fast bowling.
Gavaskar’s captaincy was notably one of the first attacking ones, leading India to victory in the 1984 Asia Cup and the Benson & Hedges World Championship of Cricket in 1985.
Besides cricket, he served as the Sheriff of Mumbai. Gavaskar received the Arjuna Award and the Padma Bhushan, prestigious honours in Indian sports and civilian life.
35. Len Hutton (England)
Sir Leonard Hutton was an English greatest cricketers of all time. He was known for his role as an opening batsman. He played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club from 1934 to 1955 and represented England in 79 Test matches between 1937 and 1955.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, Hutton set a record in 1938 for the highest individual innings in a Test match, scoring 364 runs against Australia.
He retired from regular first-class cricket in 1955. Later Len Hutton continued to serve in cricket as a selector, journalist, broadcaster, and president of Yorkshire County Cricket Club until his death in 1990.
36. Dale Steyn (South Africa)
Dale Willem Steyn is a former South African cricketer renowned as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the sport.
He dominated the ICC Test rankings for a record 263 weeks between 2008 and 2014. Steyn received the ICC 2008 Test Cricketer of the Year Award and was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2013.
During his peak, he played a crucial role in the formidable South African pace attack, considered one of the best produced by the country.
After announcing his retirement from Test cricket in August 2019, he retired from all forms of cricket on August 31, 2021, focusing on limited-overs cricket.
37. Herbert Sutcliffe (England)
Herbert Sutcliffe was an English cricketer known for representing Yorkshire and England as an opening batsman. His cricket career spanned the period between the two world wars, from 1919 to August 1939. Sutcliffe played 54 Test matches for England, scoring 16 centuries.
His career batting average of 60.73 is the highest by any English batsman and the fifth-highest worldwide among Test batsmen with 20 completed innings.
Sutcliffe also ventured into business, establishing a sportswear shop in Leeds. After retiring from playing, he served on the Yorkshire club committee for 21 years and was an England Test selector for three years.
38. Robert Graeme Pollock (South Africa)
Robert Graeme Pollock is a former cricketer from South Africa, having played for teams like Transvaal and Eastern Province. Part of a renowned cricketing family, Pollock is widely recognized as one of South Africa’s greatest cricketers of all time and among the finest batsmen in cricket history.
Despite his international career being cut short at 26 due to the sporting boycott of South Africa, he left a lasting impact, particularly in his 23 Test matches, mostly against England and Australia.
39. Zaheer Abbas (Pakistan)
Zaheer Abbas is a former Pakistani cricketer widely known for wearing glasses during matches. In 1982/1983, he achieved the feat of scoring three consecutive centuries in one-day internationals, making him the first batsman to do so.
Often referred to as ‘the Asian Bradman,’ he is esteemed as one of cricket’s finest batsmen. Abbas made his Test debut in 1969, scoring an impressive 274 in his second Test against England.
Throughout his first-class career, he secured a unique position by being the only Asian batsman to achieve one hundred first-class centuries.
During his thirteen-year stint with Gloucestershire, he played 206 first-class games, amassing over 16,000 runs with an average of 49.79. Abbas received the Sitara-e-Imtiaz award from the Government of Pakistan in 2018.
40. Steve Waugh (Australia)
Stephen Rodger Waugh is a former Australian international cricketer and the twin brother of Mark Waugh. Recognized as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, Waugh played a crucial role in Australia’s first world title win at the 1987 Cricket World Cup.
Serving as the Australian captain from 1997 to 2004, he led the team to fifteen consecutive Test wins and triumphs in the 1999 Cricket World Cup.
Waugh was a prominent batsman, scoring over 10,000 Test runs, and was the world number 1 all-rounder in both Test and One Day International (ODI) cricket.
In 2004, Waugh was named Australian of the Year for his philanthropic efforts and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2010.
41. Courtney Walsh (West Indies)
Courtney Andrew Walsh is a former Jamaican cricketer who represented the West Indies from 1984 to 2001. Leading the West Indies in 22 Test matches, Walsh is renowned as one of the all-time great fast bowlers.
In his remarkable career, he played 132 Tests and 205 ODIs, securing 519 and 227 wickets, respectively. Walsh, along with Ambrose, held the record for the most Test wickets from 2000, reaching the milestone of 500 wickets, a feat no bowler had achieved before.
His autobiography is titled “Heart of the Lion.” Walsh was honoured as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1987 and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in October 2010.
42. Bill O’Reilly (Australia)
William Joseph O’Reilly was an Australian cricketer, renowned as one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history. O’Reilly was an exceptional spin bowler.
His bowling included the leg breaks, googlies, and top spinners, delivered with an unchanging action. In 1935, Wisden described O’Reilly as a “hostile” bowler, and in 1939, they acknowledged him as “one of the greatest bowlers of all time.”
As a batsman, O’Reilly, a right-hander, typically batted lower down the order, known for powerful hitting. His competitiveness and aggressive bowling style earned him the nickname “Tiger.”After retiring from playing, he gained respect as a cricket writer and broadcaster.
43. AB De Villiers (South Africa)
Abraham Benjamin de Villiers is a former South African cricketer and current commentator.
He is among the greatest cricketers of all time and is often known as Mr 360. AB De Villiers is known for his unique and destructive batting, he played as a wicket-keeper-batsman but later focused on batting.
De Villiers debuted in Test cricket in 2004 and in ODIs in 2005. He captained South Africa in all formats, achieving success, but injuries led to him stepping down.
In 2018, he retired from international cricket, expressing interest in a comeback for the 2020 T20 World Cup, but he didn’t play. On November 19, 2021, de Villiers announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
44. Adam Gilchrist (Australia)
Adam Craig Gilchrist is an Australian cricket commentator and former cricketer who captained the national team.
He is among the greatest cricketers of all time. Gilchrist held the world record for the most dismissals by a wicket-keeper in ODIs.
He was part of the Australian team that won three consecutive World Cups (1999, 2003, 2007) and the 2006 ICC Champions Trophy. Adam Gilchrist retired from international cricket in March 2008 but continued playing domestic tournaments until 2013.
45. Allan Donald (South Africa)
Allan Anthony Donald is a former South African cricketer and the current bowling coach of the Bangladesh national cricket team.
Known as ‘White Lightning’ for his quick bowling, he was a key part of South Africa’s cricket team. Donald, the first South African to take 300 test wickets, scared batsmen with his speed and aggression in bowling.
In his playing days, Donald topped the ICC Test rankings in 1998 and reached 794 points in ODIs in 1998, ranking second.
Donald played in four World Cups for South Africa and is the second-highest wicket-taker for the country in World Cups.
Since retiring, Donald has coached various teams, including Kent County Cricket Club in England. In 2019, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
46. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka)
Mahela Jayawardene is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain, known for his impressive career. He’s considered one of the greatest cricketers of all time from Sri Lanka.
Jayawardene led the Sri Lankan team to victory in the 2008 Asia Cup and made history by scoring the first century in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in 2010. Jayawardene played in 652 matches over 18 years.
He is the first Sri Lankan to score over 10,000 Test runs and the second to achieve the same in ODIs after Sanath Jayasuriya.
He played a vital role in Sri Lanka’s victory in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20 and reached the final in multiple Cricket World Cups.
Apart from his cricket achievements, Jayawardene currently serves as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka National Sports Council.
47. Fred Trueman (England)
Frederick Sewards Trueman was an English cricketer for Yorkshire County Cricket Club and the England team. Known as “Fiery Fred,” he was a fast-paced bowler and the first to take 300 Test wickets. Along with Brian Statham, Fred formed a famous bowling duo.
Trueman was also a skilled fielder and a decent late-order batsman with three centuries in first-class cricket.
After retiring, he became a media personality, earning the OBE in 1989 and being inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. He was honoured in England’s greatest Test XI in 2018.
48. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Waqar Younis Maitla is a former Pakistani cricketer, coach, and commentator. Known as one of cricket’s greatest bowlers, he captained the Pakistan national cricket team and served as their head coach.
As of 2021, Waqar holds the record for being the youngest Pakistani Test captain and the fourth youngest Test captain globally. He played 87 Tests and 262 One Day Internationals (ODIs) from 1989 to 2003, taking 373 Test wickets and 416 ODI wickets.
Waqar also holds the record as the youngest bowler to reach 400 wickets in ODI cricket. He has been a bowling coach for Pakistan and served as the head coach from 2010 to 2011.
Additionally, he worked with Sunrisers Hyderabad as their bowling coach in the Indian Premier League 2013 season. In 2019, Waqar was appointed as Pakistan’s bowling coach for a three-year contract.
49. Dennis Compton (England)
Denis Compton was a legendary cricketer and a national icon of England. A versatile sportsman, he played for England and Arsenal in football.
Dennis Compton was among the greatest cricketers of all time. Known for his risky batting style, Compton scored 3,816 runs in a remarkable 1947 cricket season.
He took 622 wickets with his excellent style. However, his career faced challenges due to knee injuries. Off the field, Compton also worked as a BBC commentator, a writer, and an advertising ambassador. He died on April 23, 1997, at the age of 78.
50. Anil Kumble (India)
Anil Kumble is a former Indian cricket captain, coach, and commentator known for his stellar career spanning 18 years.
Renowned as one of the finest leg-spin bowlers in Test Cricket History, he claimed 619 wickets, ranking as the fourth-highest wicket-taker as of 2022.
In a remarkable feat in 1999, Kumble dismissed all ten batsmen in a Test match against Pakistan.
Anil Kumble, a key player in India’s victories, received accolades, including Cricketer of the Year in 1993 and being part of the joint-winning Indian team in the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy.
Kumble retired in 2008, receiving the Padma Shri in 2005. He later served as the chairman of the ICC’s cricket committee and held coaching roles in IPL teams.
51. Derek Underwood (England)
Derek Leslie Underwood is a former English cricketer and past President of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). Underwood, often called ‘Deadly,’ was a slow left-arm orthodox spin bowler who bowled at medium pace.
Underwood became a first-class bowler in his teens and achieved his 100th Test wicket and 1,000th first-class wicket in 1971 at the age of 25.
Despite finishing his Test career with 297 wickets, his participation in World Series Cricket and the rebel tour to South Africa prevented him from reaching 300 Test wickets.
In recognition of his contributions, Underwood was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame on July 16, 2009, alongside cricket legends like Neil Harvey, David Gower, and Allan Border.
52. Chris Gayle (West Indies)
Christopher Henry Gayle is a Jamaican cricketer representing the West Indies since 1999. Known as “The Universe Boss,” Gayle is acclaimed as one of the greatest and most destructive T20 batsmen.
He played a pivotal role in West Indies’ victories in the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy, 2012 ICC World Twenty20, and 2016 ICC World Twenty20.
Gayle holds various records, including being the most capped West Indies player and the only one to achieve a triple of centuries in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is.
He boasts over 14,000 runs and 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket, leading the run-scoring charts for West Indies in ODIs and T20Is. Gayle holds records for the fastest T20 hundred and the highest T20 score.
In Tests, he scored over 7,000 runs and captained the West Indies Test side from 2007 to 2010. Despite initially planning to retire from ODIs after the 2019 Cricket World Cup, he played his final ODI in August 2019.
53. Hanif Mohammad (Pakistan)
Hanif Mohammad was a renowned Pakistani cricketer, playing 55 Test matches from 1952 to 1970. Despite limited Test cricket for Pakistan, he was considered one of the best batsmen globally, holding the title of the original Little Master.
Hanif was the first Pakistani to score a triple hundred in a Test match, with his famous 337 against West Indies in 1957/58, the highest away score.
He retired in 1969 and co-founded The Cricketer Pakistan magazine in 1972, serving as its editor for two decades. Hanif was named a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1968 and inducted into the ICC’s Hall of Fame in 2009.
54. George Headley (West Indies)
George Alphonso Headley was a legendary West Indies cricketer known as the black Bradman. He played for the West Indies and Jamaica, earning the nickname “black Bradman” for his exceptional batting.
In 22 Tests, Headley scored 2190 runs with 10 centuries, averaging 60.83. He was the first to score a Test century in each innings at Lord’s in 1939. George Headley’s cricket career spanned from 1929 to 1939, contributing immensely to West Indies cricket.
He played league cricket in England and left an indelible mark on the sport. Headley passed away on November 30, 1983, at the age of 74.
55. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka)
Sanath Jayasuriya is a former Sri Lankan cricketer and captain, renowned as one of the greatest cricketers of all time.
Known as the “Master Blaster,” he revolutionized one-day international cricket in the mid-1990s with explosive batting alongside Romesh Kaluwitharana. Jayasuriya played a crucial role in Sri Lanka’s 1996 Cricket World Cup victory and was joint champion in the 2002 Champions Trophy.
Jayasuriya scored over 10,000 runs and took more than 300 wickets in ODIs, making him one of the best all-rounders in limited-overs cricket history.
Jayasuriya captained Sri Lanka from 1999 to 2003 and was part of the teams that reached the finals in the 2007 Cricket World Cup and 2009 ICC World Twenty20.
Also, check out India Cricket Players – List of A to Z Indian Cricketers Names.
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