Cricket has seen many skilled players. However, height usually adds a different advantage to the sport. For bowlers who are fast, it results in extra bounce as well as a challenging angles for batters. The batters who are tall, on the contrary, are able to utilize their length to advantage. As time has passed, the game has produced some tall players that have made the news for not just their ability but also because of their size. In this post we’ll review the tallest cricketer in the world and the impact that height has had on their performances in the field.
This blog ranks the top 10 tallest cricketer in the world ever, focusing on their careers and contributions to the sport.
Top 10 Tallest Cricketer in the World
| Player Name | Height (cm) | Country |
| Mohammad Irfan | 216 | Pakistan |
| Joel Garner | 203 | West Indies |
| Bruce Reid | 203 | Australia |
| Peter George | 203 | Australia |
| Chris Tremlett | 201 | England |
| Steven Finn | 201 | England |
| Tom Moody | 201 | Australia |
| Jason Holder | 201 | West Indies |
| Curtly Ambrose | 201 | West Indies |
| Jacob Oram | 198 | New Zealand |
1. Mohammad Irfan—7’1″ (216 cm)
- Country: Pakistan
- Role: Fast Bowler
Mohammad Irfan is the tallest cricketer in the world and holds the record for being the tallest player ever to play international cricket. With his 7’1″ height, he generated extreme bounce, making it difficult for batsmen to face his deliveries.
Mohammad Irfan debuted internationally for Pakistan in 2010 and went on to play a crucial role as a bowler in limited-overs cricket. His height gave him a unique bowling angle and made him the world tallest cricketer, often leading to awkward bounces that troubled even the best batsmen. He played for Pakistan until 2019 and had a strong impact in T20 leagues around the world.
2. Joel Garner—6’8″ (203 cm)
- Country: West Indies
- Role: Fast Bowler
Joel Garner, famously known as “Big Bird,” was one of the deadliest fast bowlers in the history of cricket. He played for the dominant West Indies team of the 1970s and 1980s and was known for his powerful yorkers and sharp bounce.
Garner had an incredible One Day International (ODI) economy rate of 3.09, which is still one of the best for a fast bowler. His height allowed him to bowl unplayable deliveries that would rise sharply from a length, making life difficult for batsmen.
3. Bruce Reid—6’8″ (203 cm)
- Country: Australia
- Role: Left-arm Fast Bowler
Bruce Reid was a left-arm pacer who represented Australia in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He was known for his accuracy and ability to move the ball both ways.
Although he had great potential, Reid’s career was troubled by injuries, which limited his appearances at the international level. However, when fit, he was a match-winner and played a key role in many of Australia’s victories.
4. Peter George—6’8″ (203 cm)
- Country: Australia
- Role: Fast Bowler
Peter George was another tall Australian fast bowler who played for the national team in 2010. Though his international career was short, his ability to generate bounce made him a profitable option.
He played one Test match for Australia, but although he had a height advantage, he struggled to secure a place in the team.
5. Chris Tremlett—6’7″ (201 cm)
- Country: England
- Role: Fast Bowler
Chris Tremlett was one of England’s most harsh bowlers due to his height and speed. His ability to extract bounce made him a crucial player in England’s 2010-11 Ashes series win in Australia.
Tremlett had a short but impactful career and was often used on fast, bouncy pitches where his height could make a difference. He retired due to regular injuries but left a strong impression in Test cricket.
6. Steven Finn—6’7″ (201 cm)
- Country: England
- Role: Fast Bowler
Steven Finn was one of England’s most promising fast bowlers when he started his career. His 6’7″ height allowed him to bowl at high speeds with sharp bounce.
Finn was part of England’s 2010 and 2015 Ashes-winning squads and was a regular in the limited-overs formats. However, inconsistency and injuries affected his long-term career at the international level.
7. Tom Moody—6’7″ (201 cm)
- Country: Australia
- Role: All-Rounder
Tom Moody was among the rare tall cricketers who excelled as an all-rounder. Representing Australia during the 1980s and 1990s, he made valuable contributions with both his batting and bowling skills.
As a batsman, he used his height to play powerful shots, and as a medium-pace bowler, he dragged bounce to trouble batsmen. After retiring, Moody became a successful coach and commentator.
8. Curtly Ambrose—6’7″ (201 cm)
- Country: West Indies
- Role: Fast Bowler
Curtly Ambrose was one of the most feared fast bowlers in cricket history. His unplayable bounce and accuracy made him a nightmare for batsmen worldwide.
He played a major role in the West Indie’s dominance in the 1990s, taking over 400 Test wickets. His famous 7 for 1 spell against Australia in 1993 remains one of the greatest bowling performances in history.
9. Jason Holder—6’7″ (201 cm)
- Country: West Indies
- Role: All-Rounder
Jason Holder is one of the best modern-day tallest cricket players. He has captained the West Indies Test and ODI teams, leading them with both bat and ball.
Jason Holder is renowned for his game-changing all-round displays, especially his memorable double-century against England in 2019. His tall height enables him to generate additional bounce, making him a challenging bowler, particularly in Test cricket.
10. Jacob Oram—6’6″ (198 cm)
- Country: New Zealand
- Role: All-Rounder
Jacob Oram was one of New Zealand’s finest all-rounders, known for his powerful hitting and effective seam bowling. His 6’6″ height gave him an advantage both while batting and bowling.
Oram was an essential part of New Zealand’s cricket team during the mid-2000s, contributing significantly to their success in limited-overs matches. His powerful hitting and reliable bowling made him a crucial all-rounder for the team.
Final Thoughts
Height gives an advantage to cricketers, especially bowlers who can use extra bounce to trouble batsmen. The world’s tallest cricketer, Mohammad Irfan, holds the record, while legendary bowlers like Joel Garner and Curtly Ambrose have dominated the game with their height advantage.
Some of the tallest cricket players, such as Tom Moody and Jason Holder, have also excelled as all-rounders, showing that height can be beneficial for batting too.
With cricket constantly evolving, we might see even taller players making their mark in the future. For more IPL and cricket updates, visit our website, Spin and Swing!
FAQs
Who is the tallest cricketer in world ever?
Mohammad Irfan from Pakistan, standing at 7’1″ (216 cm), is the tallest cricketer in the world.
Who is the tallest Indian cricketer?
Ishant Sharma (6’4″) is considered the tallest Indian cricketers.
Who is the tallest cricket player in Australia?
Bruce Reid, Peter George, and Tom Moody (all 6’8″ or 6’7″) are among Australia’s tallest cricketers.
How does height help fast bowlers in cricket?
Tall bowlers get extra bounce and can make it harder for batsmen to play shots.
Who is the tallest cricket player on the West Indies team?
Joel Garner (6’8″), Jason Holder (6’7″), and Curtly Ambrose (6’7″) are among the tallest cricketers from the West Indies.
