Discover the top 10 tallest cricketers in history who have dominated the cricket field with their towering presence. Explore how their height gave them a unique advantage in the game, from bowlers with intimidating deliveries to batsmen with a commanding view of the pitch.
10. Jason Holder | 6’7″ (201 cm)
Jason Holder, the current Windies Test and ODI captain, is a towering presence in cricket. Born in Barbados, he quickly became a key player for the Windies, featuring in 37 Tests and 98 ODIs, claiming 93 and 125 wickets, respectively. Holder is known for his discipline in line and length, generating significant bounce despite not being the fastest bowler. He’s also a reliable lower-order batsman with excellent temperament and the ability to deliver powerful hits, thanks to his long reach. Holder’s continuous improvement and adaptability make him an invaluable asset to his team.
9. Sulieman Benn | 6’7″ (201 cm)
Built like a towering fast bowler, Sulieman Benn is known for his aggressive on-field demeanor. The left-arm spinner has been involved in numerous controversies throughout his career, including a notable incident where Chris Gayle sent him off the field for refusing orders. Another infamous moment occurred when Dale Steyn spat at Benn after a heated exchange. Benn’s disciplinary issues led to his exclusion from the 2011 World Cup squad, though he made it back for the 2015 edition. Despite his potential, Benn’s attitude often overshadowed his talent. His tall stature gives him an advantage, allowing him to generate drift and deliver the ball from an awkward angle for batsmen, contributing to his 144 international wickets across all formats.
8. Kyle Jamieson | 6’8″ (203 cm)
New Zealand’s new talent, Kyle Jamieson, initially grabbed attention due to his towering height of 6’8″, making him one of the tallest cricketers in the world. After impressive domestic performances, Jamieson earned his first ODI call-up for the home series against India in January 2020. He made an immediate impact, winning the Man of the Match award on his debut with an outstanding all-round performance that secured victory for the BlackCaps. Although still early in his career, the 25-year-old is eager to capitalize on every opportunity to represent his country. Currently part of the New Zealand Test squad for the India series, Jamieson hopes to replicate his ODI success if given a chance to debut in the longest format.
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7. Marco Jansen | 6’8” (203 cm)
Marco Jansen has been a proven performer for South Africa in Test cricket, consistently extracting bounce even from docile surfaces and wreaking havoc with the ball. Beyond his bowling prowess, Jansen is a capable lower-order batsman who has played crucial knocks. In 10 Tests, he has taken 41 wickets at an impressive average of 21.65 and scored 277 runs at an average of 19.78. The 22-year-old has also shown promise in ODIs, claiming five wickets in as many matches at an economy of 6.06 and scoring 60 runs at a strike rate of 93.75. Thanks to his stellar performances, Jansen has become an integral part of South Africa’s pace attack. His inclusion adds variety to the bowling unit, and the team management is hopeful that the young left-arm pacer will continue to excel in the years ahead.
6. Bruce Reid | 6’8″ (203 cm)
Bruce Reid, a left-arm fast bowler from Perth, Australia, had the potential to be a major asset to the Australian team in the 1980s. Renowned for his consistent swing and ability to extract significant bounce due to his towering height, Reid made history as the first Australian bowler to take a hat-trick in ODIs. Despite his undeniable talent, his career was marred by frequent injuries, forcing him to retire at just 29. Reid’s promising career was cut short after playing only 27 Tests and 61 ODIs. Post-retirement, he transitioned into coaching, including roles with the Indian team, Zimbabwe, and Hampshire.
5. Peter George | 6’8″ (203 cm)
Peter George, another Australian cricketer on this list, was often compared to Glenn McGrath due to his height and bowling style. Despite showing promise, George’s Test debut against India in Bengaluru ended up being his only appearance for the national team. Known for his pace and ability to generate surprising bounce, he notably dismissed Sachin Tendulkar when the legend was 32. Currently, George plays for South Australia and, at 32 years old, still has a few years left in his career, leaving the door open for a potential comeback.
4. Joel Garner | 6’8″ (203 cm)
Joel Garner, famously known as the “Big Bird,” was a formidable fast bowler who emerged from the Caribbean’s rich tradition of producing pace sensations in the 1970s and ’80s. The Barbados pacer was one of the most feared players of his era, leaving batsmen baffled by his sheer pace and lethal yorkers. Garner perfected the art of delivering yorkers that hit the base of the stumps, often reaching the wickets before batsmen could react. Coupled with the steep bounce he generated from his towering height of over 7 feet, facing him was a nightmare, particularly in the death overs. Garner’s dominance is reflected in his remarkable record: 259 wickets in 58 Tests and 146 wickets in 98 ODIs.
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3. Cameron Cuffy | 6’8″ (203 cm)
Cameron Cuffy had the potential to continue the Windies’ fast bowling legacy, but his career didn’t quite reach those heights. Known for extracting remarkable bounce even from less favorable pitches, Cuffy faced tough competition from legends like Walsh, Ambrose, and Benjamin, which limited his spot in the team. Injuries and inconsistency further hindered his progress. Despite once being ranked 10th in the ICC ODI bowlers’ rankings, Cuffy finished with 41 wickets in ODIs and 43 in 15 Tests before retiring.
2. Boyd Rankin | 6’8″ (204 cm)
Ireland fast bowler Boyd Rankin, standing at 204 cm, ranks second on this list. Originally starting his career in rugby, his height and strength made waves in the sport. However, his passion for cricket led him to leave rugby behind and become a key bowler for the Irish team Modeled after legends like Glenn McGrath and Curtley Ambrose, Rankin is known for his hit-the-deck approach. While his bounce is notable, it’s his lateral movement that truly challenges batsmen. Rankin also made his mark in Test cricket for England, becoming only the third player to represent two countries in the longest format of the game.
1.Mohammad Irfan | 7’1″ (216 cm)
The tallest cricketer ever, Mohammad Irfan from Pakistan, is a formidable presence on the field. His towering height makes even his standard deliveries rise to chest level for most batsmen, adding an extra edge to his bouncers and short balls. Nicknamed the ‘Burj Khalifa’ of Pakistan, Irfan has featured in 4 Tests, 60 ODIs, and 20 T20Is. Despite his promising performances, frequent injuries limited his appearances. To prepare for his deliveries, teams often use throwdowns from specialists standing on stools. With his run-up and slight jump, Irfan’s arm reaches about 8 feet from where he delivers the ball.
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