Cricket is a game of strength and skill, but sometimes physical attributes can make a difference. A good height often plays a crucial role in the game. For bowlers, height adds extra bounce to the ball, making it harder for batters to handle deliveries they might have dealt with easily from a shorter bowler. Height can significantly impact a player's overall performance, especially for bowlers. Let’s take a look at the top 10 tallest cricketers of all time.

Height has always been an interesting part of cricket, especially for fast bowlers. Tall bowlers can use their height to get extra bounce and trouble the batters. The cricketers in this list are not just tall, but they have also made big contributions to the game with their skills and performances.

 Here is the Top 10 Tallest Cricketers in the World

1. Mohammad Irfan – 7'1" (216 cm)

Mohammad Irfan, a tall fast bowler from Pakistan, is the tallest cricketer in the world. He stands at a height of 7'1". His height helped him generate extra bounce, which made it hard for battersto face him, especially on bouncy pitches. However, being so tall also made it tough for him to keep balance and bowl with control. Still, Irfan had a good career in Pakistan and made strong contributions in limited-overs cricket. He is now retired from the game.

2. Marco Jansen – 6'10" (206 cm)

Marco Jansen is one of the tallest fast bowlers in international cricket today.  He is 6 feet 10 inches tall and is one of the top fast bowlers in international cricket. His height helps him bowl at high speed with extra bounce, making it tough for batters to play their shots easily. He is also one of the youngest cricketers on the list of the tallest players in the world. Even though Jansen is still young, he has already become an important player for the South African team. Fans are excited to see more of him in the future.

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3. Boyd Rankin - 6’8.5" (203 cm)

Boyd Rankin, who is 6 feet 8.5 inches tall, has had a unique career by playing international cricket for both England and Ireland. He is number three on the list of the top 10 tallest cricketers in the world. On the field, Rankin has been a valuable bowler, especially in bouncy and seaming conditions. His height gave him an extra edge in his bowling career for both teams.

4. Joel Garner – 6'8" (203 cm)

Known as the "Big Bird," Joel Garner was a powerful fast bowler for the West Indies during their golden era in the late 1970s and 1980s. Standing at 6'8", he was famous for bowling deadly yorkers and getting extra bounce from a good length. His height, accuracy, and speed made him one of the most feared bowlers of his time. Garner played a big role in the West Indies' success, especially in one-day matches.

5. Bruce Reid - 6’8” (203 cm)

Bruce Reid was a tall left-arm fast bowler who played for Australia. His height and bowling skills made him a tough bowler to face, especially on Australian pitches. During his career, Reid played an important role in helping Australia become strong in world cricket again. But he had many injuries, which stopped him from playing more matches. Still, in the games he did play—especially in Test cricket—his height and talent made him a very useful bowler.

6. Kyle Jamieson - 6’8″  (203 cm)

Kyle Jamieson is a young and rising fast bowler from New Zealand. He is known for his height and strong performances in all formats of cricket. Many believe he will become one of the most dangerous bowlers for New Zealand in the future. Jamieson played a big role in helping New Zealand win the ICC World Test Championship in 2021. In Test cricket, he has taken 72 wickets with an economy rate of 2.38. In ODI, he has taken 22 wickets with an economy rate of 4.28.

7. Blessing Muzarabani -6’8″ (203 cm)

Blessing Muzarabani, Zimbabwe’s tall fast bowler at 6 feet 8 inches, is an important part of their bowling attack. His height helps him generate extra bounce, making it difficult for batters to handle. Muzarabani combines speed with control and has been key in taking wickets for Zimbabwe in both limited-overs and Test cricket. His growth as a fast bowler has been a big boost for Zimbabwean cricket.

Also Read: IPL 2025: 3 Players Who Can Win Purple Cap In The Ongoing IPL Edition

8. Cameron Cuffy - 6’8″ (203 cm)

Cameron Cuffy is a former fast bowler for the West Indies. His height was an asset in his cricketing career. He played for the West Indies from 1994 to 2002. While his career was somewhat overshadowed by other great West Indian bowlers of his time, his contributions to the team were valuable, especially in controlling the flow of runs and putting pressure on batters.

9. Jason Holder – 6'7" (201 cm) 

Jason Holder, the former captain of the West Indies cricket team, stands at 6'7". As a talented all-rounder, his height has been a big advantage in his bowling, allowing him to generate bounce and trouble batters. Holder has been a consistent performer for the West Indies in all formats of the game. He is known for his leadership skills as well as his abilities on the field. His height has also made him a strong presence in the slip cordon.

10. Curtly Ambrose - 6’7″ (201 cm) 

Curtly Ambrose, a member of the Hall of Fame and West Indies fast bowler, is known as the 'gentle giant.' Standing at 6ft 7in, his height allowed him to generate pace and good bounce, and with his excellent accuracy, he made life difficult for batters.

In the 98 Test matches he played, Ambrose took 405 wickets at an impressive average of 20.99. He was at the top of the ICC Player Rankings for much of his career. In the 176 ODIS he played, he took 225 wickets at an average of 3.48. Ambrose's legacy is defined by his ability to bowl devastating spells, often winning matches single-handedly for the West Indies.

The Los Angeles Knight Riders have officially appointed Jason Holder as captain for the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. The franchise made the announcement on social media, looking forward to the veteran West Indian all-rounder leading the charge.

Holder, who has a history of captaining the West Indies across all three formats, brings with him a load of international experience and stoic leadership to LAKR. But he will not be available for the franchise's first two games of the season owing to international obligations. Meanwhile, fellow West Indies hero Sunil Narine will serve as stand-in captain during Holder's absence for the initial matches.

Narine, a seasoned T20 campaigner and a familiar face in the Knight Riders setup, will lead LAKR in their first two matches, ensuring continuity and leadership stability at the start of the campaign. Known for his tactical acumen and vast franchise cricket experience, Narine is expected to guide the team with confidence until Holder's arrival.

ALSO SEE: 'GOAT of Tests' - Fans react as Steve Smith scores half century in SA vs AUS WTC Final 2025

Leadership duties split between Caribbean stars as LAKR eye strong MLC 2025 start

Jason Holder is set to report to the LAKR team prior to their third match, which is on June 17th versus Washington Freedom. His timing is important, as LAKR will be hoping to gain early momentum in what is turning out to be a competitive MLC season.

The Knight Riders franchise, with teams in various leagues around the world, such as the IPL and CPL, is traditionally known for supporting veteran international captains. Holder, leading the team, will look to enhance previous performances and fight for a playoff position in MLC 2025. The fans of the franchise will be waiting with bated breath for Holder's captaincy debut next month, while hoping that Narine gets the side off to a good start.

Squad of LAKR: Sunil Narine, Alex Hales, Said Badar, Nitish Kumar, Rovman Powell, Unmukt Chand, Andre Fletcher, Sherfane Rutherford, Adithiya Ganesh, Jason Holder(C), Corne Dry, Anrich Nortje, Ali Khan, Tanveer Sangha, Andre Russell, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Karthik Gattepalli, Matthew Tromp

England crushed the West Indies and registered a thumping 3-0 series win on the back of a convincing 37-run victory at The Rose Bowl in Southampton on Tuesday. In a show of brute dominance, the batters on both sides went all guns blazing. It was certainly a painful outing for the bowlers as massive fireworks ensued and the ball travelled to all parts.  A blistering display from the English openers, Jamie Smith (60 off 26) and Ben Duckett (84 off 46), lifted England to 248—their second-highest total in T20I history. The West Indies, in response, displayed a spirited fightback. Rovman Powell (79 off 45) and Shimron Hetmyer  (26 off 8) showcased extraordinary brilliance, but the Windies fell comprehensively short of their desired target. 

England Innings

After being inserted to bat, openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith launched a ferocious assault on the Windies bowlers, registering a dominant 120-run stand inside just nine overs. Smith blazed his way to 60 before falling, while Duckett continued the onslaught with a scintillating 84 off 46 balls. By the halfway stage of the innings, England had reached the score of 135-1 which became their highest score in T20I cricket after 10 overs. Contributions from Jos Buttler, Harry Brook, and Jacob Bethell kept the momentum going, propelling England to the brink of the 250-run mark.

England’s batters came out all guns blazing, leaving the West Indies with few answers in the early exchanges. However, to their credit, the visitors pulled things back nicely after the halfway mark, stringing together some quiet overs and picking up key wickets to stem the flow. Akeal Hosein, Gudakesh Motie, and Sherfane Rutherford chipped in with a wicket each, while Jason Holder impressed with a tidy spell at the death.

West Indies Innings

Chasing a record 249 for a consolation win was always going to be a tough ask for the visitors. The West Indies stumbled early, losing both openers within the first five overs. While Shimron Hetmyer and Jason Holder offered brief resistance, it was Shai Hope (45) and Rovman Powell (unbeaten 79) who provided the only substantial fight. Despite their efforts, the Men in Maroon fell well short, outplayed by a disciplined and clinical English side. The English bowlers did go for a few runs but picked up timely wickets along the way, which kept them alive in the game. 

Besides, some helpful contributions from Hetmyer (26 off 8) and Holder (25 off 12) did help West Indies get close to their target but the constant fall of wickets kept pegging them back. Luke Wood led the way for England with an impressive three-wicket haul (3-41), while Rashid, Carse, Dawson, and Bethell each contributed with key breakthroughs. 

See also: IRE vs WI, 2025: Ireland vs West Indies, 1st T20I Match Preview

England vs West Indies: Match Scorecard

England – 248/3 (20 Overs)

West Indies – 211/8 (20 Overs)

The anticipation is brewing as the tenth installment of the Pakistan Super League (PSL 10) approaches, as fans prepare themselves for another dramatic season of high-octane cricket. Having completed the PSL 2025 Draft, team lineups have been completed and everyone looks towards Islamabad United (IU), the most decorated franchise in the history of PSL and reigning champions.

Islamabad United have long been synonymous with shrewd squad management, combining international match-winners with the best Pakistani talent. Their strategy has worked time and again, with two PSL titles already to their name and a third added in the last season. With PSL 10 just around the corner, United are once again loaded with firepower in all departments.

Also Read: PSL 2025: Islamabad United Schedule for PSL 10

This article features the Islamabad United complete roster for PSL 2025. Whether you are a long-time fan or have recently been introduced to the team, below is an overview of the players who will be donning the Red Storm colors in their bid to defend the title. 

Islamabad United Squad 2025

The following is a list of all the confirmed players picked in the PSL 2025 Draft. United has held on to some of its biggest match-winners while supplementing with fresh faces to uphold its championship advantage. With explosive hitters to death-over specialists, this team will be a winner.

There are six categories of players in PSL:

• Platinum 
• Diamond
• Gold
• Silver
• Emerging
• Supplementary

Islamabad United enter PSL 10 with a well-rounded and star-laden squad. Captain Shadab Khan continues leading his team with enthusiasm and good tactical awareness, along with the contributions of players that helped in their various championship drives. The addition of overseas talent, including Alex Hales, Tom Curran, and Reece Topley, makes them even more likely to make a deep run in the tournament.

Islamabad United: Key Players to watch out for

These are the highlight players who are expected to hold key positions in Islamabad United's tour:

• Shadab Khan
• Naseem Shah
• Jason Holder
• Matthew Short
• Imad Wasim
• Azam Khan
• Rassie van der Dussen
• Colin Munro

Islamabad United have never been known to compromise their style of playing dashing cricket and grooming future legends. Having won the trophy in PSL 1, 3, and now PSL 9, they're confident of adding a fourth trophy in 2025. With their strong team and winning vibes surrounding them, they're strong favorites to conquer PSL 10.

England made a stunning comeback in the second Test at Trent Bridge against the West Indies. For the first time in Test cricket history, England scored over 400 runs in both innings of a match.

West Indies won the toss and chose to bowl first. England scored 416 in their first innings, led by a century from Ollie Pope and other solid contributions. The West Indies then fought back, scoring 457 in their first innings to take a lead.

In response, England scored over 400 runs again in their second innings, reducing the deficit. Centuries from Harry Brook (109) and Joe Root (122) gave England a lead of over 350 runs.

Joe Root’s record-breaking performance at Trent Bridge

Joe Root hit his 32nd Test century, including his sixth against the West Indies and his fifth at Trent Bridge. He reached this milestone in just 260 innings, with only Alastair Cook ahead of him among English players.

Historically, teams have scored over 400 runs in a Test innings 12 times. England has been on the receiving end five times. Australia has done it six times, India three times, and South Africa, Pakistan, and England once each.

Australia achieved this six times between 1924 and 2008. South Africa did it against England in Durban in 1939. India scored over 400 against Pakistan in 2005, Sri Lanka in Ahmedabad in 2009, and England in 2024. Pakistan did it against India in Faisalabad in 2006. Recently, England achieved this against the West Indies in the second Test.

Historic achievement for England in Test cricket

England has set a target of 385 runs for the West Indies at Trent Bridge. After being bowled out for 425, England made a remarkable comeback after initially being overtaken by the West Indies’ first innings score. The West Indies need 385 runs to win with one and a half days left.

England sets a challenging target for West Indies

It’s a tough challenge for the West Indies batters. Despite their first Test win, England is still at the bottom of the WTC points table, while the West Indies are sixth. England’s win could move them above South Africa in the standings.

Jayden Seals took 4-97, while Alzarri Joseph claimed 2-103. Shamar Joseph, Jason Holder, and Kevin Sinclair each took a wicket.

Star West Indies fast bowler Shamar Joseph caused a big scene at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Day 3 of the second Test against England. During the 107th over, Joseph took on England’s young fast bowler Gus Atkinson and hit two powerful shots that were crucial for his team.

Joseph first pulled a delivery from Atkinson over deep mid wicket for a six, then smashed another ball over deep backward square leg for another huge six. The second shot was so well timed that it sailed into the stands and hit the roof of one of the boxes, causing tiles to fall on the crowd below. Fortunately, no fans were injured.

Watch Shamar Joseph’s incredible six

Joseph scored a quick 33 off 27 balls, including five fours and two sixes. He partnered with Joshua Da Silva for the tenth wicket adding 71 runs off 78 balls. Their stand frustrated England as they easily scored against a tired bowling attack.

Their partnership ended just before lunch when Joseph hit a delivery from Mark Wood straight to Gus Atkinson at mid on. Da Silva was left not out on 82, missing a well deserved century as he walked back to the pavilion.

England claims early breakthroughs on day 3

West Indies started their innings at 351/5 with Jason Holder and Joshua Da Silva. England struck early when Chris Woakes caught Holder’s edge and Jamie Smith took the catch. Kevin Sinclair followed but was out after scoring 4, caught by Harry Brook.

Woakes continued his good work by dismissing Alzarri Joseph and Jayden Seales with back-to-back deliveries. West Indies was all out for 457, taking a narrow lead of 41 runs.

The West Indies cricket team has faced a significant setback as veteran all-rounder Jason Holder has been ruled out of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 due to an injury. This unexpected development has led to the inclusion of left-arm fast bowler Obed McCoy as his replacement.

Jason Holder’s Injury

Jason Holder, the experienced stalwart of the West Indies team, sustained an injury during the County Championship 2024. The injury was severe enough to require a substantial recovery period, effectively ruling him out of participating in the T20 World Cup. Holder’s absence is a considerable loss for the West Indies, given his experience and influence on the field.

See Also: Watch: “Jeetne Ke Baad Cake Khayenge”, Rohit Sharma’s heart-touching chat with Pant ahead of T20 World Cup departure

Obed McCoy: The Replacement

Obed McCoy, who steps in to replace Holder, is a promising left-arm fast bowler. McCoy’s cricketing journey has been impressive, marked by his ability to deliver under pressure. Recently, he was the leading wicket-taker during the West Indies A’s tour to Nepal, where he grabbed eight wickets in five matches. His selection is a testament to his growing prowess and potential to shine internationally.

Desmond Haynes’ Statement

Desmond Haynes, the Lead Selector for West Indies, expressed his thoughts on Holder’s injury and McCoy’s selection. “Jason is an experienced player in our set-up. His absence will undoubtedly be felt both on and off the field. We look forward to having a fully fit Jason with us again soon,” Haynes said. He also expressed confidence in McCoy’s abilities, highlighting his remarkable skill and promise.

Reserve Players

In preparation for further contingencies, West Indies has named five reserve players: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher. Each player brings unique skills and has proven their capabilities in various game formats. Their readiness to step in if needed adds depth to the squad.

Coach Daren Sammy’s Views

Daren Sammy, the head coach and two-time T20 World Cup winner, expressed his confidence in the team and the reserves. “We are fortunate to have such depth and quality in our ranks. Our reserve players are all A-class talents who have proven their abilities in various game formats, but certainly T20. Each of them is fully capable of slotting into the team seamlessly should the situation arise,” Sammy stated.

West Indies Updated Squad: Rovman Powell (c), Alzarri Joseph (vc), Johnson Charles, Roston Chase, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Akeal Hosein, Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Obed McCoy, Gudakesh Motie, Nicholas Pooran, Andre Russell, Sherfane Rutherford, Romario Shepherd. Reserves: Kyle Mayers, Matthew Forde, Fabian Allen, Hayden Walsh, and Andre Fletcher

After wreaking havoc on retention day, the Mumbai Indians have recently emerged as the most talked-about franchise. They have got their beloved all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, from the Gujarat Titans to complete one of the most significant trades in league history. Later, the five-time champions sent Cameron Green to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in yet another unexpected move.

MI still has a few seats vacant in their blue arsenal, so it will be interesting to see who they will sign during the IPL 2024 auction. They only have 17.75 crores to play with in the auction. Here are the top four likely purchases by the five-time IPL winners in the coming mini-auction. 

• Wanindu Hasaranga

Royal Challengers Bangalore unexpectedly released Wanindu Hasaranga, which might be a blessing in disguise for Mumbai Indians. The Mumbai Indians should try to sign him since he is a spinner and a decent pinch-hitter in the lower order.

The Mumbai Indians could use someone like Hasaranga, a foreign spinner who would be an excellent addition to the club. However, considering the fact that multiple teams will be fighting for him, he may be expensive.

• Jason Holder

With a robust need for an all-rounder that can support the top Indian all-rounder, Hardik Pandya, the MI management can give their hands on acquiring the Caribbean all-rounder, Jason Holder, with an ability to hit big shots at the very crucial moments and scalping some vital wickets for the team.

His addition to the team would strengthen the lower middle-order batting lineup, and he is a potential candidate to substitute the role and impact what Kieron Pollard has created for the five-time champions. 

• Kartik Tyagi 

The Mumbai Indians are one of the franchises keeping an eye on Kartik Tyagi. Kartik may serve as a backup for either Jasprit Bumrah or Akash Madhwal on the team.

He’s an excellent pick since he can hit the deck quickly. MI benefited from being a domestic speedster as well, as they had released a considerable number of pacers before the auction. 

West Indies are sliding badly in white-ball cricket and are probably at their lowest point at the moment. Based on recent form they may not seem like a match for India, but their Test record has been pretty decent in fact. In their last five series, West Indies have only lost one and to make sure the West Indies rise again, they will look at who can turn the tables on the Indian Team from the following.

Kemar Roach

Kemar Roach, at 35 years, continues to get better. He knows how to control the new-ball well, and while he has dropped down on pace the control he provides is incredible. His numbers at home, on the dry and dead West Indies tracks are even better making him a pretty effective leader of the attack.

Jason Holder

Jason Holder is one of the superstars in the line-up, although he often flies under the radar. He will be coming in a little devastated given his performances in the Qualifiers, particularly in the super over against Netherlands where he gave 30 runs. With the Test side though, Jason Holder provides control with the old ball, something most pacers do not like to bowl with. Despite not having much pace, his height to allows him to get awkward bounce making him all the more effective with the older ball.

Alzarri Joseph

Alzarri Joseph has been the enforcer and trump card of this attack. He was their go to bowler on a tough tour of Australia and his pace can be discomforting for batters. With the ability to touch the 150kph mark with ease, Alzarri Joseph has the raw pace to rattle batters and a mean bouncer which has helped him pick more than half of his wickets in the last four years.

Jermaine Blackwood

Jermaine Blackwood isn’t a very known name yet in Test Cricket but he has silently been doing a fine job for West Indies. Known for his quick rate of scoring, Blackwood loves to keep the scoreboard ticking and can shift the momentum with ease in quick time.

Kraigg Brathwaite

Kraigg Brathwaite, like Dean Elgar and Dimuth Karunaratne, falls under the category of underrated and silent openers. He is one of the most stubborn openers going around and spends a really valuable amount of time out in the middle making life easier for the batters around him. Looking at his batting though leads to a contrast with the batter getting beaten and into the most awkward positions. His style though proves to be very effective which is why he is one of the best openers going around in Test Cricket today.

A total of close to 25 or more cricketers are found to have pursued the T20 association being drifted by Cricket South Africa (CSA) and planned to start off in January next year.

Around 10 cricketers from the Caribbean islands, 10 from Sri Lanka and close to twelve names from England have come ready. Meanwhile, TOI has discovered that Cricket Australia (CA) is inside the procedure of giving Huge Bash contracts to their leading white-ball cricketers including David Warner, Steven Smith, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Cameron Green among others.

This suggests, top Australian cricketers won’t be out there to play in these new T20 leagues until a couple of them resolve to resign from the format altogether post the T20 World Cup this year and turn ‘free-agents’.

Cricketers from New Zealand as well, barring a few who are learnt to be contemplating a move, will avoid the spic and span T20 league. New Zealand Cricket (NZC) is in the process of drafting fresh contracts for their cricketers to remain devoted to local First-Class cricket back home.

Here are some of the big names who have signed up for the league in South Africa as of now while some others are yet to.

Jos Buttler, Liam Livingstone, Eoin Morgan, Jason Roy, Sam Curran, Adil Rashid, Tymal Mills from England; Jason Holder, Alzari Joseph, Obed McCoy, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Harry Tector are among the few names currently ready.

That is alongside all the top South African T20 cricketers who are now ready for their own special ‘domestic’ league. The list is still a work in progress as of now.

Mumbai Indians have Kieron Pollard on board although it’s muddled whether the Trinidadian will make himself available for the league in South Africa or the UAE. The Kolkata Knight Riders have signed Sunil Narine and Andre Russell while GMR – the half owner of Delhi Capitals who has contributed to the UAE association has joined Shimron Hetmeyer and Rovman Powell.

The strategy for those signings stays to be in progress and can continue till the end of the World Cup.

ALSO READ: Rahul Dravid all praises for India’s win vs WI

The cricket fraternity is waiting for the World Cup to end because it expects quite a few cricketers will walk around the dusk of their T20 career post the match and will probably be allowed to make their choices.

Meanwhile, the franchise owners in South Africa are furthermore bustling signing support staff. The Lucknow SuperGiants have signed up with Lance Klusener as coach while Chennai Super Kings have hired Eric Simmons to work with Stephen Fleming.