Mohammad Irfan, from Pakistan, is the tallest international cricket player globally, while Abey Kuruvilla and Pankaj Singh are recognized as the tallest cricketers from India.
Though physical attributes like height can offer advantages in cricket, they are far from the only factors that define a player’s success. Key elements such as skill, mindset, technique, and execution play a crucial role in a cricketer’s performance. Some of the game’s most legendary players, like Sunil Gavaskar, Gundappa Vishwanath, and Sachin Tendulkar, were known more for their exceptional skills than their stature, proving that greatness in cricket transcends physical attributes.
While taller players often have a natural edge in generating extra bounce—a key factor for fast bowlers—some of the shortest players have become the most iconic figures in the sport. Here’s a look at some of the tallest cricketers who have made a mark on the international stage.
Here’s a list of some of the tallest player in Cricket History, organized by their height:
Player | Team | Height (feet) | Playing Years |
---|---|---|---|
Mohammad Irfan | Pakistan | 7.1 | 2010-2019 |
Marco Jansen | South Africa | 6.10 | 2021-PRESENT |
Boyd Rankin | Ireland | 6.85 | 2007-2020 |
Kyle Jamieson | New Zealand | 6.8 | 2020-PRESENT |
Joel Garner | West Indies | 6.8 | 1977-1987 |
Blessing Muzarabani | Zimbabwe | 6.8 | 2017-PRESENT |
Peter George | Australia | 6.8 | 2010 |
Bruce Reid | Australia | 6.7 | 1985-1992 |
Curtly Ambrose | West Indies | 6.7 | 1988-2000 |
Steven Finn | England | 6.7 | 2010-2017 |
Chris Tremlett | England | 6.7 | 2005-2013 |
Sulieman Benn | West Indies | 6.7 | 2008-2016 |
Cameron Cuffy | West Indies | 6.7 | 1994-2002 |
David Larter | England | 6.7 | 1962-1965 |
Tom Moody | Australia | 6.6 | 1987-1999 |
Tony Greig | England | 6.6 | 1972-1977 |
Jacob Oram | New Zealand | 6.6 | 2001-2012 |
Pankaj Singh | India | 6.6 | 2010-2014 |
Jason Holder | West Indies | 6.6 | 2013-PRESENT |
Abey Kuruvilla | India | 6.6 | 1997 |
Peter Fulton | New Zealand | 6.6 | 2004-2014 |
Cameron Green | Australia | 6.6 | 2020-PRESENT |
Courtney Walsh | West Indies | 6.6 | 1984-2001 |
George Bonnor | Australia | 6.6 | 1880-1888 |
Morne Morkel | South Africa | 6.5 | 2006-2018 |
Ishant Sharma | India | 6.5 | 2007-2021 |
Stuart Broad | England | 6.5 | 2006-2023 |
Shabbir Ahmed | Pakistan | 6.5 | 1999-2007 |
Kieron Pollard | West Indies | 6.4 | 2007-2022 |
Darren Sammy | West Indies | 6.4 | 2004-2017 |
Ian Bishop | West Indies | 6.4 | 1988-1998 |
Colin Croft | West Indies | 6.4 | 1977-1982 |
These players, primarily fast bowlers, have used their height to gain extra bounce and make a formidable impact on the cricket field.
Here are some profiles of the tallest international cricket players:
Mohammad Irfan (Pakistan)
- Height: 7 ft 1 in
- Born: June 6, 1982, Gaggu Mandi, Punjab, Pakistan
- Career: Left-arm pacer; debuted against England in 2010. Played across all formats, with 109 international wickets in 86 matches. Last appeared for Pakistan in 2019 and currently plays in T20 leagues.
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Marco Jansen (South Africa)
- Height: 6 ft 10 in
- Born: May 1, 2000, Potchefstroom, South Africa
- Career: All-rounder, left-arm pacer; made his Test debut against India in 2021 and his ODI debut in 2023. He was South Africa’s second-highest wicket-taker in the 2023 World Cup.
Boyd Rankin (Ireland/England)
- Height: 6 ft 8.5 in
- Born: July 5, 1984, Derry, Ireland
- Career: Right-arm medium pacer; played for Ireland and later represented England before returning to Ireland. Known for his height, he retired in 2021 after a lengthy career.
Kyle Jamieson (New Zealand)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in
- Born: December 30, 1994, Auckland, New Zealand
- Career: Right-arm fast bowler; debuted in 2020. Notable for his record in Tests, and he was the first Kiwi to take six wickets in a Super Smash T20 game.
Joel Garner (West Indies)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in
- Born: December 16, 1952, Barbados
- Career: Known as “Big Bird,” Garner was one of the most feared bowlers of his era. Played for the West Indies from 1977-1987, picking up 405 wickets. Famous for his 1979 World Cup final performance.
Blessing Muzarabani (Zimbabwe)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in
- Born: October 2, 1996, Harare, Zimbabwe
- Career: Right-arm fast bowler; debuted in 2017. After a brief Kolpak contract, he returned to play for Zimbabwe and has since participated in leagues like the PSL.
Peter George (Australia)
- Height: 6 ft 8 in
- Born: October 16, 1986, South Australia
- Career: Right-arm fast bowler who played a single Test for Australia, taking Sachin Tendulkar as his first wicket. He retired from cricket and now works as an umpire.
Bruce Reid (Australia)
- Height: 6 ft 7 in
- Born: March 14, 1963, Perth, Australia
- Career: Left-arm fast bowler; known for swing and accuracy. Played 27 Tests and 61 ODIs, despite an injury-prone career. He was instrumental in Australia’s 1987 World Cup-winning squad.
Curtly Ambrose (West Indies)
- Height: 6 ft 7 in
- Born: September 21, 1963, Antigua
- Career: Right-arm fast bowler with 405 Test wickets. Known for his pace and bounce, he retired in 2000 and was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2011.
Steven Finn (England)
- Height: 6 ft 7 in
- Born: April 4, 1989, Watford, England
- Career: Right-arm fast bowler who debuted in 2010. Collected 125 Test wickets in 36 matches. The injury led him to retire from all formats in 2023.
Tallest Indian Cricketers
Here is a table listing some of the tallest Indian cricketers and their career spans:
Player | Height | Career Span |
---|---|---|
Abey Kuruvilla | 6 ft 6 in | 1997 |
Pankaj Singh | 6 ft 6 in | 2010–2014 |
Ishant Sharma | 6 ft 5 in | 2007–2021 |
Rahul Sharma | 6 ft 4 in | 2011–2012 |
Munaf Patel | 6 ft 3 in | 2006–2011 |
Arshdeep Singh | 6 ft 3 in | 2022–Present |
Javagal Srinath | 6 ft 2 in | 1991–2003 |
Yusuf Pathan | 6 ft 2 in | 2007–2012 |
R Ashwin | 6 ft 2 in | 2010–Present |
Yuvraj Singh | 6 ft 1.5 in | 2000–2017 |
Anil Kumble | 6 ft 1 in | 1990–2008 |
Irfan Pathan | 6 ft 1 in | 2003–2013 |
Ashish Nehra | 6 ft 0 in | 1999–2017 |
This list highlights some of the tallest cricketers from India across various eras and showcases their contributions to Indian cricket.
The tallest Indian cricketers are primarily fast bowlers, with Abey Kuruvilla and Pankaj Singh leading the list at 6 ft 6 in.
Following Abey Kuruvilla and Pankaj Singh, Ishant Sharma, at 6 ft 5 in, is notable not only for his height but also for being India’s most-capped fast bowler in Test cricket, with 105 matches to his name. Breaking the trend of pacers, Rahul Sharma, a leg-spinner, stands at 6 ft 4 in. After him, the list continues with tall pacers like Munaf Patel, Arshdeep Singh, and Javagal Srinath.
Yusuf Pathan, at 6 ft 2 in, is one of the tallest all-rounders and stands alongside off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. Yuvraj Singh, another legendary all-rounder, follows closely at 6 ft 1.5 in. Nicknamed “Jumbo,” Anil Kumble—India’s leading wicket-taker in international cricket—measures slightly over 6 ft. The left-arm seamers Irfan Pathan and Ashish Nehra complete the list, adding their height and skills to India’s bowling lineup.
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