Best All Rounder in Cricket -Top 10 All Time Greatest

Best All Rounder in Cricket

In cricket, an all-rounder is a player who has the ability to perform well in both batting and bowling. They are considered a valuable asset to any team because they can contribute significantly in both departments of the game. The term “all-rounder” is used to describe players who can both score runs with the bat and take wickets with the ball. In order to be considered an all-rounder, a player must be proficient in both aspects of the game. The skills required to excel in batting and bowling are vastly different, so it takes a special type of player to master both disciplines. Over the years, cricket has seen some exceptional all-rounders who have made significant contributions to their teams in both departments. These players have played a pivotal role in their teams’ success and are often considered some of the best players in cricket history.

Overall, all-rounders are highly valued in cricket and are often considered key players in any team. The ability to contribute in both batting and bowling makes them versatile and reliable performers, and the best all-rounders in cricket history are often remembered as some of the game’s greatest players.

Top 10 All Rounder in Cricket 

Throughout the history of cricket, only a select few have possessed the talent to excel in both batting and bowling, making them highly valuable assets to their teams. Among these players, only a small number have earned a place in the pantheon of cricketing greats. True all-rounders, those who can make significant contributions with both bat and ball and are equally effective in either role, are even rarer and more highly prized. These are the players who truly stand out, leaving an indelible mark on the game. This list aims to identify the ten players who were, or came closest to being, the greatest true all-rounders in the history of cricket. It should be noted that all statistics cited refer specifically to test matches, and are accurate as of the time of publication.

S. No	All Rounder in Cricket
1	Garfield Sobers
2	Jacques Kallis
3	Imran Khan
4	Keith Miller
5	Richard Hadlee
6	Ian Botham
7	Shaun Pollock
8	Kapil Dev
9	Tony Greig
10	Andrew Flintoff

Garfield Sobers

While the players on this list were exceptional, it’s widely accepted that Garfield Sobers is the ultimate all-rounder of all time. Sobers was a true all-rounder like Kallis, Miller, and Khan, excelling in both batting and bowling. However, what sets him apart is that he was essentially three players rolled into one, as he was an effective spinner, fast-medium bowler, and a top-class batsman.

Initially picked for the West Indies team as a spin bowler who batted low in the order, he went on to take 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. He worked tirelessly on his batting, and his average of 57.78, which is the 10th-best on the all-time list, compares with any batsman in the history of the game, with the exception of the great Sir Donald Bradman. Sobers scored 26 centuries and 30 half-centuries, and his most famous feat was his 365 not out in 1958 against Pakistan. This was a world record at the time, which was later broken by Brian Lara in 1994. It still ranks as the fifth-highest score in test cricket. In addition to his remarkable skills with bat and ball, he was also an excellent fielder and captained the West Indies team for many years. All these factors make Sir Garry Sobers the greatest all-rounder of all time.

Jacques Kallis

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Jacques Kallis, widely considered as the best all-rounder of the modern era, also ranks highly on the all-time list of greats. His batting skills are unparalleled, with an average of 57.02, 41 centuries, and 55 half-centuries, making him one of the most accomplished batsmen in history. In fact, his average is higher than other contemporary legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and Rahul Dravid.

Unlike most all-rounders, Kallis is an accomplished and technically sound batsman who plays a range of controlled shots with a classical approach. He is a tough wicket to take, as his batting style is not unorthodox like most all-rounders. Kallis is also a fast-medium bowler, having taken 274 wickets at an average of 32.51. Although his bowling record may not be as impressive as his batting, he is still an outstanding bowler, capable of making it to many international teams on his bowling skills alone.

Imran Khan

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Ranked as No. 3 in the list of all-time great all-rounders, Imran Khan is undoubtedly Pakistan’s finest cricketer ever and a true champion. Although he excelled in both batting and bowling, it was his prowess as a fast bowler that made him a force to be reckoned with, taking 362 test wickets at an average of 22.81. He opened the bowling for Pakistan for many years, and his skills rate as highly as any bowler from any era.

As injuries started to impact his bowling, Khan shifted his focus to his batting and ended his career in the team solely as a batsman. He finished his test career with an average of 37.69, including 6 centuries and 18 half-centuries, becoming one of only eight players to achieve the ‘all-rounders triple’ of 300 wickets and 3000 runs. Khan’s foresight and strategic leadership as a captain helped his Pakistan teams achieve their full potential. His leadership qualities extended beyond cricket as he held many high-profile positions in various political and social work organisations. After winning the 1992 World Cup with Pakistan, Khan retired at the age of 39. He remains a legendary figure in Pakistani cricket and an inspiration to many.

Keith Miller

Keith Miller, the great Australian all-rounder of the post-war era, was considered the first genuine all-rounder in test cricket. While he is best remembered for his fast bowling, forming a formidable opening bowling partnership with Ray Lindwall, his wicket tally of 170 does not reflect his true ability, which was limited due to World War II. His average of 22.97 is a better reflection of his achievements.

As a batsman, he scored 2958 runs at an average of 36.97, with seven centuries and 13 half-centuries. Miller was known for his classical batting style and diverse range of shots. He had the ability to take the game away from his opponents with a quick attacking innings. Miller’s all-round abilities have been a topic of debate, with some considering him a batting all-rounder and others a bowling all-rounder. However, the truth is that he was a true all-rounder, equally effective with both bat and ball, and one of the best in the game’s history.

Richard Hadlee

Richard Hadlee, widely regarded as New Zealand’s greatest cricketer ever, played a crucial role in transforming the team into world beaters during his tenure. Although he excelled in all aspects of the game, it was his exceptional bowling that stood out the most. With 431 wickets at an average of 22.29, he held the world record at that time. While he started his career as a fast opening bowler, he shortened his run-up as he matured and focused more on moving the ball. Some argue that he was the greatest bowler of all time, as he seemed to have the ball on a string at his peak, exemplified by his remarkable 9/52 performance against Australia.

As a lower-order batsman, Hadlee was also valuable, scoring at a decent average of 27.16, including two centuries and 15 half-centuries. This demonstrated his ability to provide crucial runs towards the end of an innings. Graham Gooch’s quote “Richard Hadlee at one end, Ilford seconds at the other” put Hadlee’s talent in perspective, highlighting his exceptional ability. Hadlee’s impressive statistics and his significant contributions to his team’s success firmly establish him as one of the game’s great all-rounders.

Ian Botham

Ian Botham, the great English cricketer of the 1980s, played a key role in reviving the sport in his country. He is best remembered for his performance in the Ashes series of 1981, which became known as ‘Botham’s Ashes’ as he was the difference between England and Australia, leading England to a 3-1 victory.

Botham’s career batting average was 33.54, but he demonstrated the ability to build a big innings, scoring 14 centuries and 22 half-centuries. He was known for his hard-hitting style, with a high strike rate of 60.71. As a bowler, he took 383 wickets at an average of 28.40. However, this statistic does not fully reflect Botham at his best, as he averaged closer to 21 before injuries began to impact his performance. Nonetheless, his durability must be considered, and he is ranked sixth on this list of all-time greats. Regardless, Botham remains a legend of the game.

Shaun Pollock

Shaun Pollock’s ranking at No. 7 might come as a surprise to some, but his outstanding record simply cannot be disregarded when discussing the greatest all-rounders of all time. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers ever to come out of South Africa, and was a bowling all-rounder who, for a period, was one of the most consistent bowlers in the world while also contributing with the bat. Pollock claimed 421 wickets at an average of 23.11, and his most impressive bowling attribute was his consistency and economy; he was typically hard to score runs off.

As a batsman, he could deliver a reliable performance but often struggled to convert good starts into big scores, evidenced by his two centuries. Nevertheless, his average of 32.31 is comparable to those of Kapil Dev and Andrew Flintoff. Pollock retired from cricket in 2008, and he is sure to be remembered as one of the greatest all-rounders of the modern era as time passes.

Kapil Dev

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Kapil Dev, widely regarded as India’s greatest all-rounder and fast bowler, is the first of the prominent all-rounders from the 1980s to feature on this list. He enjoyed a prolific test career spanning 16 years, during which he established himself as a consistent bowler and a hard-hitting batsman. Dev became the second bowler in cricket history to take 400 wickets, surpassing Richard Hadlee’s world record in his final test, to finish with an impressive total of 434 wickets at an average of 29.64. Although this average may seem high compared to some of the other great all-rounders, it should be noted that Dev played a significant amount of his cricket at home in India, where the wickets are more spin-friendly and not conducive to seam bowling.

As a batsman, he boasted an average of 31.05, including eight centuries and 27 half-centuries. However, it was his unforgettable knock of 175 not out against Zimbabwe at the 1983 World Cup that truly cemented his legacy. After a poor start, Dev came in and saved India from a potential upset, eventually leading them to win the tournament in a shock victory over two-time defending champions West Indies. Dev was undoubtedly the key figure in the tournament. In 2002, when India’s cricketer of the century was being voted upon, Kapil Dev emerged as the winner, beating out legendary players such as Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar. This is further testament to his outstanding cricketing career and his status as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time.

Tony Greig

Tony Greig, the South African-born English commentator currently residing in Australia and a member of the Channel Nine commentary team, may be better known to younger readers for his commentary work than for his playing career. However, those who remember him will recall his impressive record as an all-rounder, having played 58 tests for England in the 1970s. While Greig was primarily known for his batting, with an average of 40.43 and a total of eight centuries and 20 half-centuries, he was also capable of bowling both medium pace and right arm off break, taking 141 wickets at 32.20. This versatility in being able to bowl two styles at the test-match level is rare.

Although his test career only spanned from 1972 to 1977, his accomplishments as a player should not be underestimated, as he was able to secure a spot on the list of the top ten all-rounders of all time, which is a significant achievement. Had he played longer, he may have been ranked even higher.

Andrew Flintoff

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The first entry on our list features Andrew Flintoff, a former cricketer from England who gained immense popularity in the 2000s and was affectionately known as Freddy Flintoff. Flintoff rose to fame for his outstanding performances during the 2005 Ashes series, in which England defeated Australia, the top-ranked team at the time, to win the Ashes for the first time in nearly two decades. Flintoff was a fast bowler who could bowl at a speed of over 140 kilometres per hour, and he took 226 wickets in his Test career at an average of 32.78. He was also a quick-scoring batsman with an average of 31.07, including five centuries and 26 half-centuries.

However, Flintoff’s contributions to the team went far beyond mere statistics. His impact on England’s Ashes-winning campaigns in 2005 and 2009 was significant, and he played a crucial role with both bat and ball in these memorable victories, cementing his place among the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.

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Who is the No 1 All-Rounder?

Sir Garfield Sobers is widely regarded as the greatest all-rounder in cricket history. Born in Barbados in 1936, Sobers made his Test debut for the West Indies in 1954 at the age of just 17. Sobers was a left-handed batsman and left-arm spinner, but he was also an excellent fielder and was known for his athleticism and agility on the field. He was equally adept with both bat and ball, and his all-round skills made him an invaluable member of the West Indies team. Sobers played a total of 93 Test matches for the West Indies, scoring over 8,000 runs at an average of 57.78 and taking 235 wickets at an average of 34.03. He is the only player in Test history to have scored six sixes in an over, achieving the feat against Glamorgan in 1968 while playing for Nottinghamshire.

In addition to his impressive Test career, Sobers also played first-class cricket for Barbados and Nottinghamshire, scoring over 28,000 runs and taking over 1,000 wickets in his career. Sobers was known for his stylish strokeplay and his ability to play both attacking and defensive innings depending on the situation. He was also a skillful bowler, known for his accuracy and his ability to generate both spin and swing. Sobers’ all-round skills and his exceptional performances in both batting and bowling make him a true legend of the game, and he is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. His influence on the sport can still be seen today, and he remains an inspiration to young cricketers around the world.

Top 10 All-Rounders of All Time

Below given is a list of the top-10 all rounders of all time. Have a read!

S. No	All Rounder in Cricket
1	Ben Stokes (England)
2	Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)
3	Ravindra Jadeja (India)
4	Jason Holder (West Indies)
5	Mohammad Nabi (Afghanistan)
6	Chris Woakes (England)
7	Mitchell Santner (New Zealand)
8	Andile Phehlukwayo (South Africa)
9	Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand)
10	Imad Wasim (Pakistan)

Who is the Best All-Rounders of All Time?

Ben Stokes is an English cricketer who is considered one of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket. He is known for his aggressive style of play, both with the bat and ball, and is often regarded as a match-winner for England. Stokes has played in all formats of the game – Test, One Day International (ODI), and Twenty20 International (T20I). He has represented England in 71 Test matches, scoring 4,631 runs at an average of 37.44 and taking 158 wickets at an average of 31.27.

In ODIs, he has scored 2,550 runs at an average of 40.47 and taken 84 wickets at an average of 38.01. In T20Is, he has scored 558 runs at an average of 26.57 and taken 18 wickets at an average of 29.72. Stokes is the only cricketer in history to win the Sir Garfield Sobers Trophy for ICC Cricketer of the Year, which he achieved in 2019. He played a crucial role in England’s 2019 Cricket World Cup win, scoring an unbeaten 84 in the final against New Zealand. In the same year, he also played a pivotal role in England’s one-wicket victory against Australia in the third Ashes Test, scoring an unbeaten 135 to help England chase down a target of 359 runs. Overall, while it is difficult to definitively say that Ben Stokes is the greatest all-rounder of all time, his achievements and performances make him a strong contender for the title

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