Some cricketers who needed to be more fit have still managed to represent their country.
Cricket and fitness are closely related. Before a cricketer is considered "Fit" to play, they must meet various fitness standards. Cricket athletes need to maintain their fitness to perform at their peak.
Unfortunately, this is not always true. There are numerous cricketers who, despite their lack of fitness, have been able to represent their country. Indeed, there are multiple cricketers who, despite their larger physique, have achieved legendary status in the game. We've observed numerous cricketers who are carrying extra weight while playing. Who are the cricketers with the most weight on them? Presenting a compilation of the top 10 cricketers who have made their mark with their impressive weight:
10) Warwick Armstrong (Australia) — 133Kg
He may not be a famous assassin or an astronaut, but he is a legendary figure that should never be underestimated. Warwick Armstrong is widely regarded as one of the most physically imposing cricketers to have ever played the game at the international level. For 117 years, he held the record for being the heaviest cricketer in the history of cricket.
The former Australian all-rounder weighed 133 kilogrammes. Although he had some fitness challenges, he managed to become one of the most accomplished all-rounders of his era. The batting all-rounder made his international debut in 1902, keeping things straightforward.
Throughout his career, he achieved impressive statistics: 2863 runs at an average of 38.69 and 87 wickets at an average of 33.6. He eventually became one of Australia's most accomplished captains, and he was honoured with induction into the Australian Hall of Fame in 2000.
9) Arjuna Ranatunga (Sri Lanka) — 115Kg
Arjuna Ranatunga is widely regarded as one of the greatest Sri Lankan cricketers ever. Nevertheless, he was considered one of the least physically fit Asian cricketers in history. The ex-captain of Sri Lanka weighed 115 kilogrammes.
Some cricket pundits still find amusement in his method of collecting singles and the occasional double. His fitness problems were also widely known at that time. Nevertheless, he continues to be a revered figure in Sri Lanka's sporting history.
Ranatunga led Sri Lanka to victory in the 1996 World Cup (WC). His international run tally reached an impressive 12561, and he took 95 wickets.
8) Jesse Ryder (New Zealand)- 100Kg
Jesse Ryder failed to reach his maximum potential. He was undeniably one of the heaviest cricketers from New Zealand. If someone were to write a book about him, that book would have an extensive number of chapters.
Ryder has experienced a range of labels, from being known as a hard hitter to being referred to as a wild boy. Nevertheless, the Kiwi opener's weight concerns were a frequent topic of discussion. His weight was approximately 100 kilogrammes.
Due to his fitness problems, he consistently suffered injuries. His muscular build hindered his chances of achieving great success. Despite his career stats still looking good, he could have accomplished much more if he had not faced challenges with his fitness and discipline.
7) Mohammad Shahzad (Afghanistan) — 100kg
Shahzad is an incredibly entertaining cricketer of this generation. He has an unparalleled charisma. The wicketkeeper from Afghanistan, though, is a bit on the heavier side.
He weighs approximately 90 to 100 kilogrammes. Nevertheless, he has achieved remarkable success as one of Afghanistan's most accomplished batters. He holds the record for the highest number of runs scored by an Afghanistan batsman in the shorter formats of the game.
It's worth mentioning that despite his weight, he manages to make quick stumpings. He doesn't prioritise physical fitness. He once famously claimed, "Why bother with a diet like Kohli's when you can hit longer sixes than him?"
6) Mark Cosgrove (Australia) — 102kg
Mark Cosgrove was a powerful hitter who struggled to achieve success due to his fitness challenges. The top-order batsman played for Australia in 3 ODIs. Unfortunately, his fitness prevented him from playing additional international games.
The heavyweight boxer, weighing 102 kg, struggled with his fitness, and it had a negative impact on his international career. In 2005, he was honoured with the Bradman Award for being the best young player.
Although he hasn't played international cricket, he consistently participates in the Royal One-Day Cup and T20 Blast. Cosgrove has accumulated more than 14,000 runs in first-class cricket. In addition to being named the club's cricketer of the year in 2017, the left-hander also received the honour.
5) Mike Gatting (England) — 110Kg
There is a lot of information available about Mike Gatting's struggles with weight. In addition to his unfortunate reverse sweep that led to England's loss in the 1987 WC, his fitness concerns gained significant attention. Regardless of everything, the plumb batsman was indeed a legend of his time.
Gatting was quite heavy, weighing 110 kg, and his foot movement was minimal. Nevertheless, he stood out among the players who were able to handle the Indian spinners on their home turf effectively. The former English captain also guided England to several Ashes triumphs.
He has accumulated 4409 Test runs and 2096 ODI runs. His Test average is 35.56, while his ODI average is 29.1. Therefore, his weight problems had little effect on his performance.
4) Colin Milburn (England) — 114Kg
Colin Milburn was one of the heaviest cricketers, second only to Armstrong. Inspired by the famous comedian's physique, he gave Oliver the nickname Oliver Hardy. The English cricketer's international debut took place in 1966.
Unfortunately, his representation for England in Tests was limited to just nine matches due to a car accident he was involved in. He lost an eye as a result of the accident. He managed to score an impressive 654 runs in just nine Tests, with an average of 46.71 and a strike rate of 78.8.
Colin weighed 114 kg. His level of fitness played a significant role in establishing him as one of the most captivating English cricketers of his era. Therefore, he will forever be etched in our memories.
3) Inzamam-ul-Haq (Pakistan) — 100Kg approx
Inzamam's name is often associated with being unfit. Despite his numerous accomplishments, the ex-Pakistani cricketer will forever be associated with his struggles regarding weight. He was the heaviest cricketer during the 2000s.
Inzi was over 100 kgs in weight. He was known for his involvement in some of the most comical run-outs in cricket. Despite his larger size, the Legend has an impressive list of records and is considered one of the all-time greats in cricket.
Inzi's Test cricket career saw him amass an impressive total of 8830 runs, maintaining an average of 49.33. In ODIs, he scored 11739 runs with an average of 39.53. He had a strong appetite, not just for food but also for running.
2) Dwayne Leverock (Bermuda) — 127Kg
Undoubtedly, Dwayne Leverock was a highly renowned player from Bermuda and also held the distinction of being one of the most weighty cricketers in history. Although this Dwayne may not have had the same level of physical fitness as "The Rock," he was just as entertaining, if not more so. He was a highly prominent cricketer, both in terms of skill and physical stature.
The bowler from Bermuda weighed 127 kilogrammes. He gained significant attention when he made an impressive catch during the 2007 World Cup. It was an unforgettable moment when he dove to catch the ball and sent Uthappa packing.
Leverock played a total of 32 ODI games for Bermuda. He managed to take 34 wickets with an average of 33.03. Additionally, he serves as a law enforcement officer and corrections officer in Bermuda.
1) Rahkeem Cornwall (West Indies) — 140Kg
Without a doubt, he holds the title for being the heaviest cricketer in history. Cornwall has earned the nickname "Cricket's man mountain." It's not surprising, considering his body weight exceeds 300 pounds.
The West Indies all-rounder is also quite tall, which sets him apart as one of the most prominent players in cricket at the moment. His weight is 140 kilogrammes. Yet, appearances can be misleading. Despite what fitness experts claim, Cornwall possesses exceptional cricket skills.
Despite his limited experience of only 13 Tests, he has already established a strong reputation. The versatile player has achieved two half-centuries with the bat and has also claimed two five-wicket hauls with the ball. In a mere 15 innings, he has managed to secure an impressive 32 wickets.