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.

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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 Punjab Kings have received a huge boost at the moment of need in IPL 2025 with the arrival of dynamic overseas players Marcus Stoinis, Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, and Kyle Jamieson. With the playoffs on the horizon, the addition of the four quality players has provided much-needed depth and balance in all departments. It is expected to bring some confidence and performance to the Kings as they look to secure their first IPL title.

The Kings have created history by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. A recent nail-biting victory over the Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs confirmed a place in the top four, resulting in one of the franchise's highest placements in over 10 years. The core team has performed well, and now with high-quality international players, the Kings are looking the best they have looked for a long time.

Head coach Ricky Ponting preached that this season the team should use natural instincts and attack fearlessly, and it has worked well for the Kings this Season. With the inclusion of Stoinis, who can bowl handy medium pace in addition to being an explosive batter, and Jamieson, who is a reliable fast bowler, the addition brings balance to the playing XI. Inglis and Hardie also have the ability to fit into the batting order, bringing more strategic depth to PBKS's batting lineup.

On the Road to the Playoffs: Punjab Kings are Looking Complete to Finish Strong

The timing of these additions couldn't have been better for Punjab, as they are set to play Delhi Capitals on May 24 for their last league match. If they can seal the game and win it, it would allow them to position themselves further up the points table and potentially allow them to get matched up against a lower-ranked team in the playoffs. With their full-strength lineup, PBKS could better their prospects in comparison to other teams facing injuries and fatigue. 

🚨 GOOD NEWS FOR PUNJAB KINGS 🚨

Stoinis, Inglis, Hardie & Jamieson joined Punjab Kings squad for IPL 2025. [Gaurav Gupta from TOI] pic.twitter.com/TFnVSkm2Kv

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 22, 2025

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With playoffs coming up, the Punjab Kings are looking more motivated than ever to end their titleless run. With a balanced composition of youth and experience backed with international firepower, Punjab is well positioned to contend for the IPL 2025 trophy.

New Zealand player Kyle Jamieson has suffered another massive setback after scans revealed a new stress fracture on his back that will keep him out of action at least another year as well. It is also noteworthy that, the new injury is on the same part of the back where he had surgery last year. However, he isn’t likely to go under the knife this time around also.

“I am hopeful I still have many more playing days ahead of me” – Kyle Jamieson

“The last few days have been some of my most challenging but I am hugely grateful for the support I’ve received from my partner, family, teammates, support staff and medical professionals,” Kyle Jamieson said in a statement. “I know injuries are part of life as a cricketer and at my age I am hopeful I still have many more playing days ahead of me.”

The veteran has been mostly on the sidelines over the last couple of years because of a result of back issues. After getting injured in June 2022, he came back last February against England at home.

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“We will be fully behind him on the rehabilitation road ahead” – Gary Stead

However, there was a recurrence of the injury just ahead of his anticipated return and he was forced to have surgery that also ruled him out for a few months as well. Even though he returned with a bang in all three formats post the recovery, the latest injury setback will not see him in action again in 2024 as well.

“We’ve all seen how much work Kyle has put into returning to international cricket and for him to have a setback like this is tough news to get,” New Zealand head coach Gary Stead said. “On the positive side we know how determined he is to keep playing cricket for New Zealand and we will be fully behind him on the rehabilitation road ahead. His resolve is undiminished.”

New Zealand fast bowler Kyle Jamieson will undergo surgery to correct a suspected stress fracture in his back, which could keep him out of action for up to four months. He will presently be down and out for the impending time of the Indian Premier League, where he was set to play for the Chennai Super Rulers, who had gotten him for INR 1 crore in the 2023 auction. He was included in the New Zealand team that will play England in the ongoing home series.

“Kyle has seen a back surgeon and is getting surgery later in the week. It’s been a challenging and difficult time for Kyle and a big loss for us. He has been fantastic when he has been around all of our sides when he has been part of them.”

New Zealand head coach Gary Stead confirmed.

The tall pacer’s setback is a recurrence of a back injury he suffered last year on the England tour. He made a full recovery in the domestic circuit and even participated in a warm-up game against England in Hamilton in preparation for the current Test series. 

Jamieson had been anticipated to participate in at least one of the subsequent Test matches, despite not having played in an international cricket match since June, when he first suffered the back injury in England. Jamieson will now travel back to Christchurch for additional evaluation after tests performed prior to the opening game in Mount Maunganui revealed a second fracture.

Jamieson will be out of the New Zealand home series against Sri Lanka in March and April, the Pakistani away tour in April and May, and the Indian Premier League 2023 season, where he was purchased by Chennai Super Kings for INR 1 crore. For a possible return, Jamieson could target New Zealand’s August tour of England.

“We just wish him well, and we will know more in about three to four months about what that end prognosis looks like for him. Surgery provides a quicker return to play and that’s the encouraging thing for him. We want to give him the best chance of recovery because we know what a star he has been for us,”

Stead further stated.

Matt Henry will return to the team for the second Test, which begins on February 24 at the Basin Reserve in Wellington. New Zealand, which lost badly in the first Test against England due to a lack of bowling resources, will welcome him back into the mix.

The 27-year-old’s recovery time is unknown, but his absence was felt during the first Test against England, where England defeated New Zealand by 267 runs

The four-time IPL champions focused on acquiring all-rounders during the mini-auction, and Jamieson’s injury forced CSK to address the succession issue. They will announce the replacement shortly, and potential candidates include Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, Nishant Sindhu, and others.

Bowling is crucial in Cricket, and it is fitting that the top sides in the World Test Championship had brilliant bowlers. New Zealand, India, and Australia boast of some significant attacks and have decent bench strength. New Zealand, the World Test Champions, did a brilliant job in the finals and had beautiful variety in their attack. The bowlers just kept coming in one after another, and each was just as threatening.

After a magnificent win, it is common for the winning side to stay in the limelight. Now, the limelight shift to New Zealand’s bowling and pace attack. New Zealand used five pacers in the finals, and each is unique to one another. The uniqueness makes them a strong side, like India and even Australia, who have three fast and aggressive pacers, but also provide some variety among each other.

Let us now look into the bowlers used for the finals, what they offer, and the backup options for New Zealand.

Trent Boult

Trent Boult is a star for New Zealand in all formats. He has been a part of the set-up for years, building a spectacular partnership with Tim Southee. He is known for his exploits with the new ball but has improved vastly with the old ball. His left-arm angle helps unsettle batters as Boult has Southee at the other end doing a similar role with the right arm. Boult can hit a decent pace as well and is closing in on 300 Test wickets.

Tim Southee

Sharing the new ball with Trent Boult is Tim Southee. Southee has been around for quite a while, making his debut back in 2008. Over the years, he added some new skills to his armory but is still a brilliant swing bowler. He can swing both ways and do what Boult does but with the right arm, providing various angles while also using the crease well. Tim Southee is known to take off from different parts of the crease, and that helps him move the ball around. He is in a spell of good form, having done well against England and making a good impact in the finals.

Kyle Jamieson

Kyle Jamieson is the newest member of the attack, and his Test career is off to a great start. While Boult and Southee unsettle batters with their swing and accuracy, Jamieson brings in the height and bounce. At 6ft 8, Jamieson is the tallest member of the attack and can also swing the ball both ways. He’s played three Tests against India and has the edge over Virat Kohli, which helped New Zealand dominate the Finals. He was brilliant with five wickets in the first innings and is a handy batter as well. He has 46 wickets in eight Tests and is likely to reach his first milestone of 50 wickets very soon.

With a high release point and a mean full-length delivery, Jamieson can unsettle batters in multiple ways. He hasn’t played in cold conditions yet, but the start shows that he can go far in Test Cricket.

Neil Wagner

Neil Wagner is the workhorse of the attack. He can bowl long spells, which allows the other three to operate in short bursts. Unlike the other three, Neil Wagner gets involved in the contest and is very tough, having bowled with broken toes and fingers in the past.

With him, there is a lot of banter in the middle. Initially, Wagner has been known for his long spells of short-pitched bowling. After the ball stops swinging, Wagner uses the lifeless surface to bowl at the batter’s chest continuously. Being a little short, Wagner manages to generate a skiddy bounce and is accurate.

Neil Wagner bought in the full-length delivery in the recent England series and used swing to dismiss batters, displaying his variety in skill. He is the bowler who gets at the batters and unsettles them, which allows the other three to stick to their skills. Although he is 35, Wagner has a few years in him as he plays in only one format and is likely to continue as an integral member of the attack.

Colin De Grandhomme

The fifth pacer on the side is the slowest of the lot. His pace allows New Zealand to go in without a spinner on most occasions, and his accuracy can annoy the batters. His speed doesn’t go beyond 125, but his accuracy allows him to move the old ball around effectively. He is known for his discipline with the ball and is very aggressive with the bat. He didn’t bowl in the second innings of the finals but was influential in the first. Though he is slower, De Grandhomme makes sure he doesn’t offer the batters any respite after facing the other bowlers. His line and length are persistent and can frustrate the batters.

Along with the five bowlers used, New Zealand has developed a nice bench for Test Cricket. Matt Henry had a good role in the WTC cycle and is an excellent limited-overs bowler. For express pace, they have Lockie Ferguson, who still hasn’t established himself in Test Cricket, and they have a decent spinner in Ajaz Patel.

The side has good bowling depth and five outstanding pacers, which helped win the World Test Championship. It will be interesting to see what the pacers do in the next cycle with challenging assignments ahead.

New Zealand young cricketer Kyle Jamieson may have gotten it done on the most prestigious phase of Test cricket; nonetheless, many probably won’t have the foggiest idea about the anxiety he felt during the last moments of the ICC World Test Championship final. New Zealand beat India exhaustively in Southampton to turn into the debut heroes of Test cricket. Kyle Jamieson uncovered he felt so unsteady during the withering final moments of the match that he locked himself in the restroom. 

Jamieson, who decreed Player of the Match for getting 7 wickets – 5 in the first and 2 in the subsequent innings – didn’t straightforwardly determine the second he was discussing however his words had enough signs to propose that it was when Indian spin master, Ravichandran Ashwin had sent back New Zealand openers Tom Latham and Devon Conway with hardly a pause in between. Jamieson’s accomplishments were more magnificent as he dismissed the backbone of the team, skipper Virat Kohli twice in the decider to give New Zealand the higher ground. He additionally contributed a fast fire of 21 in 15 with the bat in New Zealand’s first innings, which was actually not his real potential.

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“It was really difficult to watch. I really tried to go to the restroom where there was no noise to simply move away from it for a while because it was quite nerve-racking. In any case, it was a pleasure to have Kane and Ross out there, two of our most prominent batsmen, to quiet the nerves and complete the task the manner in which they did,” Jamieson added. 

“We were sitting inside and actually watching TV. There was somewhat of a deley yet it seemed like each ball the Indian supporters was physically up for and I resembled ‘jeez it’s a wicket’ or something to that same, yet it turned out it’s anything but a dot or a single,” Jamieson said. 

“It was acceptable. Nothing too insane,” Jamieson said about the post-game ceremony. “We just invested energy in the changing room and back in the team room. Clearly with the entire Covid circumstance, there was definitely not a ton of getting making the rounds. 

“It was just pleasant, to be fair, to get to know each other and partake in the time together after a couple of years of hard work and a long tour before that too. Just to pause for a minute or two and appreciate each other’s company was very pleasant,” he added. 

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The 26-year-old further added that despite the fact that he is excited to head towards home, he was very grateful to play a sport he adores all throughout the country of any format, even in the midst of the pandemic. 

Kyle Jamieson admitted that it was hard to bid farewell to his colleagues within 48 hours of their memorable WTC win. The bowler was, indeed, back on the cricket field for Surrey on Friday, playing in the T20 Blast. Jamieson got back with figures of 0-26 in his three overs in the T20 game in the wake of winning the Man of the Match grant in the WTC final.