The game of cricket has undergone significant transformations over its century-plus history. Emerging formats, rule modifications, and technological advancements have altered the way the sport is played, making it challenging to draw comparisons between cricketers from different eras. When ranking the all-time greats, there are numerous factors to consider.
Some of the sport's most iconic modern players have pursued the lucrative opportunities offered by the T20 format, which was not an option for their predecessors. Conversely, others have never even participated in a 50-over World Cup. In the last few years, some nations have deprioritised the historic Test format.
To get valuable insights for these comparative assessments one can take a look at the stats. With limited visual archives, the traditional "eye test" is not feasible for many players. Nonetheless, even with numerical data at our disposal, it remains a complex task to definitively weigh the "greatness" of legends such as AB de Villiers and W.G. Grace.
Garfield Sobers
Garfield Sobers was an attacking, smart batsman, a versatile and skilled bowler, as well as an exceptionally talented fielder. He is widely regarded as the most complete cricketer of all time.
Sobers' illustrious career spanned two decades, during which he amassed an impressive 8,032 runs at an average exceeding 57, scored 26 centuries, and recorded a top individual score of 365 not out. Additionally, he claimed 235 wickets through his mastery of both spin and seam bowling. Unfortunately, the rise of limited-overs cricket occurred towards the end of Sobers' playing days, but there is no doubt that he would have been a dominant force in the shorter formats of the game as well.
Don Bradman
Don Bradman was an exceptionally talented batsman whose dominance led the English team to employ controversial "Bodyline" tactics in an attempt to limit his scoring. After World War II, Bradman captained the highly successful Australian team known as "The Invincibles". Bradman's Test career ended in memorable fashion, with him recording a duck in his final innings, leaving his legendary career batting average just shy of 100 runs per innings.
While players like Viv Richards and Sachin Tendulkar were defined by their power and technical precision, Bradman had a more unorthodox batting style that evolved throughout his career. In his early years, he was an aggressive, attack-minded batsman, but he became more of a defensive accumulator of runs towards the end of his international career.
Shane Warne
Shane Warne is considered one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket. During his 15-year international career from 1992 to 2007, he represented the Australian national team and is the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history with 708 dismissals. He played 145 Test matches for Australia, taking 708 wickets at an average of 25.41. This makes him the second-highest wicket-taker in Test cricket history behind only Muttiah Muralitharan. Helped Australia win the Cricket World Cup in 1999. He was the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 20 dismissals. Shane achieved the rare feat of taking over 1,000 wickets in international cricket across Tests and One Day Internationals. His final tally stands at 1,001 international wickets. Regarded as one of the greatest spin bowlers of all time, known for his mastery of the "leg-break" delivery which would dip, turn and bounce unpredictably. Warne was named one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1994 and inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2013.
Warne's exceptional skills, match-winning performances, and larger-than-life persona cemented his status as a cricketing legend and icon in Australia and worldwide.
Viv Richards
Viv Richards was a legendary West Indian cricketer who played Test cricket and ODIs for the West Indies national team from 1974 to 1991. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. Viv played 121 Test matches and scored 8,540 runs at an average of 50.23, with 24 centuries. This included a high score of 189 not out. Also, he played 187 ODIs and scored 6,721 runs at an average of 47.00, with 11 centuries. His highest ODI score was 189 not out. Richards captained the West Indies Test team from 1984 to 1991, leading them to 27 wins, 8 losses and 21 draws. He was the first batsman to score over 1,000 runs in a calendar year three times (1976, 1980, 1984). He holds the record for the fastest Test century, scored off just 56 balls against England in 1986.
Richards was known for his aggressive and dominating batting style, as well as his exemplary leadership as captain of the formidable West Indies team during their peak years in the 1980s.
Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar is widely regarded as one of cricket's all-time greats, having played for the Indian national team for over 24 years from 1989 to 2013. Tendulkar holds numerous records, including being the first player to score 100 international centuries and the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He played a pivotal role in India's 2011 Cricket World Cup triumph, the only time India has won the tournament on home soil. Tendulkar's longevity, consistency, and sheer dominance at the highest level led to him being awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour, in 2013 - a first for a sportsperson. He was also inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest.
Muttiah Muralitharan
The legendary Sri Lankan spin wizard played Test cricket for over 18 years, from 1992 to 2010, and finished his career as the highest wicket-taker in both Test and ODI cricket. Muralitharan holds the world record for the most wickets taken in Test cricket, with an astounding tally of 800 scalps - a mark that is likely to stand the test of time. He was the fastest bowler to reach milestones such as 400, 500, 600 and 700 Test wickets, achieving these remarkable feats in remarkably few matches. Excelling in both Test and ODI cricket, Muralitharan is the leading wicket-taker in ODIs as well, with 521 wickets. He was instrumental in helping Sri Lanka win the 1996 Cricket World Cup, their first and only world title in the 50-over format. Muralitharan's accolades include being named the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 1999 and 2002, and the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year in 2000. He finished his Test career with the best bowling average (22.72) and best strike rate (54.8) among bowlers with 300+ wickets.
Malcolm Marshall
Malcolm Marshall was one of the quickest fast bowlers of his era and is considered among the finest pacers in the history of cricket. Hailing from Barbados, Marshall played 81 Test matches for the West Indies between 1978 and 1991, taking 376 wickets at an exceptional average of 20.94. He was the leader of the fearsome West Indian pace attack during their dominant period in the 1980s, forming a formidable bowling partnership with the likes of Joel Garner, Michael Holding, and Colin Croft. Marshall's ability to generate searing pace, consistently accurate line and length, and his mastery of swing and seam movement made him a nightmare for opposing batsmen. He played a crucial role in the West Indies winning three consecutive World Cups in 1975, 1979 and 1983. Marshall was also a useful lower-order batsman, scoring over 1,700 Test runs. After his playing career, he served as a respected coach and commentator, passing on his cricketing wisdom to the next generation.
Imran Khan
The 1980s was a remarkable era for versatile cricketers, with prominent all-rounders like Dev, Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Imran Khan all performing at the peak of their abilities. Among this esteemed group, Imran Khan stood out, not only for his exceptional skills as a player but also for the profound impact he had on Pakistan's passion for the sport.
Imran excelled in multiple facets of the game - as a revolutionary fast bowler, a talented batsman, and an influential captain. His career reached a crowning achievement in 1992 when he led Pakistan to victory in the World Cup, a fitting culmination for a player who seemed to improve with age. In the final decade of his Test cricket career, Imran averaged a remarkable 50 runs with the bat and an equally impressive 19 runs with the ball.
Jack Hobbs
During his illustrious career from 1905 to 1934, Hobbs scored 61,237 first-class runs, the most by any player. He holds the record for the most centuries in first-class cricket with 199. Hobbs played 61 Test matches for England, scoring 5,410 runs at an average of 56.94, which was the highest Test batting average at the time of his retirement. He was the first player to score 100 first-class centuries and was the first cricketer to be knighted. Hobbs was renowned for his elegance, timing, and ability to adapt to different pitch conditions.
Kapil Dev
He played for the Indian national team from 1978 to 1994, and is best known for captaining India to victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup - the first time a non-Test playing nation had won the tournament. During his illustrious career, Kapil Dev set numerous records, including becoming the first cricketer to take 400 Test wickets. He was also a formidable batsman, holding the record for the highest individual score by an Indian in Test cricket for over 20 years. Kapil Dev held the record for the most Test wickets until Courtney Walsh surpassed his tally in the year 2000. While Dev's wicket record was eventually broken, some of his other accomplishments in Test cricket have stood the test of time. Dev remains the only player in the history of Test cricket to have scored 5,000 runs. Furthermore, he is still the youngest player to have captained his national team to a World Cup title.
Kapil Dev's immense all-around skills, fierce competitiveness, and inspirational leadership made him a true icon of Indian cricket.