Cricket

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Who is the Best Cricketer in the History of Cricket?

The debate about the world’s best cricketer is divisive and hotly debated, with numerous legends viable to be called the greatest cricket player of all-time.

Bruce Douglas

Sports Writer

Last updated: 2025-01-27

Fact checked by:

Chad Nagel

Sports & Betting Editor

15 minutes read

Sachin Tendulkar of India celebrates his 50th Test century//Getty Images

Table of Contents

Could it be Sir Donald Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, or one of the newer stars?

As expected from a sport with millions of fans, opinions on the best-ever cricketer would be influenced by nationality, favoured teams, and personal preference.

One aspect that cannot be denied is the statistics - the numbers do not lie.

SportsBoom has looked at the data of cricket’s 16 most iconic players to try and determine who truly stands at the top of the list.

16 best world cricket players of all-time

All-time greatest batsmen

Sir Donald Bradman: Australia

Tests	Runs	Average	Top score	100s	50s	Wickets
52	6,996	99.94	334	29	13	2

Widely regarded as the best cricketer of all-time, the late Sir Donald achieved legendary status in Australia with his ‘century of centuries’ and a near-perfect Test batting average of 99.94.

In more than 70 years since his retirement, no other batsman has come close.

In Tests, Sir Don still holds the record for the highest career batting average (99.94%), the highest ratio of innings to centuries (36.25%) and the most double 100s (12).

He was also rated the Cricketer of the Year by Wisden in 1931.

To put Sir Donald Bradman’s performances into context, the next-highest career Test batting average is retired Australian batsman Adam Voges with 61.87.

Holds the best rate for converting 50s to 100s (29 centuries from 42 innings of 50-plus)
Took the fewest Test innings to reach 2,000 runs (22 innings), 3,000 runs (33 innings), 4,000 runs (48 innings), 5,000 runs (56 innings) and 6,000 runs (68 innings).

Sachin Tendulkar: India

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s/50s	Wickets
Tests	200	15,291	53.78	248*	51/68	46
ODIs	452	18,426	44.83	200*	49/96	154

Former Indian international cricketer, Sachin Tendulkar was nicknamed the Little Master and his statistics are proof of his mastery with a bat in his hands.

His records and accolades are also a testament to his legacy and influence in cricket.

In addition to national honours, Tendulkar was part of India’s 2011 Cricket World Cup victory and was listed in the ICC’s World Test XI for three years running (2009, 2010 and 2011).

The Indian icon earned his place in the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame in 2019.

Tendulkar was also the first batter to surpass 15,000 Test cricket runs, the first player to reach 10,000 runs in ODIs, and top-scored in the 1996 and 2003 Cricket World Cups.

Has received the most Player of the Match awards in international cricket
Is the only batsman to have scored 100 international centuries.

Ricky Ponting: Australia

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	168	13,378	51.85	257	41	62
ODIs	375	13,704	42.03	164	30	82

Ricky Ponting established himself as one of cricket’s premier batsmen, with the third-highest number of international centuries and the most runs in Tests and ODIs for his country.

The Australian legend is also the most successful skipper with a winning rate of 67.91%.

Ponting holds the record for the most ICC tournaments won as captain: the 2003 and 2007 ODI World Cup and the 2006 and 2009 Champions Trophy.

The Aussie icon was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2018.

Ponting was also the Player of the Decade for the 2000s ahead of other legends like South Africa’s Jacques Kallis and his Aussie teammate Adam Gilchrist.

Is the only cricketer to be part of 100 international Test wins
Also involved in the most international ODI victories (262 wins).

Legendary all-rounders

Sir Garfield Sobers: West Indies

Tests	Runs	Average	Top score	100s	50s	Wickets
93	8,032	57.78	365*	26	30	235

Skilled with the bat and the ball, Sir Garfield Sobers played 93 Test matches for the West Indies, scoring 8,032 runs at a fifth-highest all-time average of 57.78.

The left-handed all-rounder also claimed 235 wickets in the format.

Starting out his career as a bowler, Sir Garry solidified his legendary status with an unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958, a record which stood for 36 years.

For his efforts, he was later named as one of the National Heroes of Barbados.

He captained the West Indies for seven years and led a Rest of the World XI against England in 1970 after South Africa’s tours were cancelled due to an apartheid ban.

In 2009, Sir Garry was inducted into the ICC’s Cricket Hall of Fame.

Has the fifth-highest Test batting average of players with more than 5,000 runs
Was knighted by England’s Queen Elizabeth in 1975 for his services to cricket.

Sir Garfield Sobers was the first player to hit six sixes in an over, scoring his perfect over for Nottinghamshire in a first-class match against Glamorgan.

Jacques Kallis: South Africa

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s/50s	Wickets
Tests	166	13,289	55.37	224	45/58	292
ODIs	329	11,579	44.36	139	17/86	273

The imposing South African entered a class of his own as the only cricketer to score more than 10,000 runs and also take more than 250 wickets in both Tests and ODIs.

Kallis, a right-handed all-rounder, was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2020.

Early in his career, he played a pivotal role in South Africa winning the 1998 ICC Champions Trophy win and was also declared the Player of the Tournament.

The ICC also declared Jacques Kallis as the 2005 Player of the Year.

The South African’s consistency as a middle order batsman and right-arm medium-fast bowler is reflected in his respectable averages and total wickets.

Has the most Player of the Match awards in Test cricket history (23)

Scored his 45th Test century in his retirement game against India in 2013.

Imran Khan: Pakistan

Format	Matches	Runs	Wickets	Batting avg	Best figures
Tests	88	3,807	362	22.81	8/58
ODIs	175	3,709	182	26.61	6/14

While Imran Khan’s political career has been marked by controversies, the Pakistani all-rounder gained legendary status with his country on the pitch.

He often captained the national team in the 1980s and 1990s.

Khan represented Pakistan for almost 20 years, utilising his lightning pace and also pioneering reverse swing, which he taught to Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

He achieved the all-rounder triple of 3,000 runs and 300 wickets in 75 Test matches.

In his final ODI, Khan played a captain’s knock of 72 runs from 110 balls as Pakistan claimed the 1992 World Cup title through a 22-run win over England.

Imran Khan was inducted into the ICC Hall of Fame in 2009.

Has the record for the most wickets, best strike rate, and best average as a Test captain
Also has the most five-wicket hauls in international wins.

Stylish shot-makers

Brian Lara: West Indies

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	131	11,953	52.88	400*	34	48
ODIs	299	10,405	40.48	169	19	63

West Indian legend Brian Lara is probably best known for his mammoth scoring records, scoring an unbeaten 400 against England in 2004 during a Test match.

He also set a record for first-class cricket with 501* for Warwickshire in 1994.

The Trinidadian boasted excellent hand control and timing, with a wide stance at the crease and his characteristic backlift creating more power for his shots.

At the crease, Lara was rated among the most fearsome batsmen to play against.

He was also part of the West Indies squad that claimed the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy and was inducted into the cricket body’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Has the highest runs in first-class cricket (501 for Warwickshire against Durham)
Held the record for the most runs in a single Test match over for 19 years after hitting South Africa’s Robin Peterson for 28.

AB de Villiers: South Africa

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	114	8,765	50.66	278*	22	46
ODIs	228	9,577	53.50	176	25	53
T20s	78	1,672	26.12	79*	0	10

While many recognise AB de Villiers from his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, his starring role for the Proteas made him a South African legend.

The right-hander is among his country’s most decorated cricketers.

De Villiers was the ICC ODI Player of the Year three times, was named in Wisden’s cricketers of the decade in 2019, and has topped the Test and ODI rankings.

His innovative and unorthodox style made ABD tricky to bowl and set fields to.

Notably able to play the ball in 360 degrees, de Villiers is among the elite list of players to have averaged above 50 in Tests and ODIs and holds multiple records.

Earned the nickname ‘Mr 360’ for his ability to score in any direction
Scored the fastest ODI 50 (16 balls), fastest ODI century (31 balls) and fastest ODI 150 (62 balls).

Kumar Sangakkara: Sri Lanka

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	134	12,400	57.40	319	28	52
ODIs	404	14,234	41.98	169	25	93
T20s	56	1,382	31.40	78	0	8

Kumar Sangakkara was the picture of grace and elegance, excelling off the front foot with his masterful cover drives and his control of the pull and cut shots.

There’s a reason the Sri Lankan stands among the greatest batter-wicket-keepers.

In combined international Tests, ODIs and T20s, Sangakkara achieved 28,016 runs - the second-highest total of all cricketers in history.

He also reached the highest number of Test and ODI centuries for a keeper.

With Sangakkara in the squad, Sri Lanka won the 2002 Champions Trophy and the 2014 T20 World Cup, as well as three editions of the Asia Cup.

Holds the outright record for the quickest 8,000, 9,000, 11,000 and 12,000 runs in Tests
Was voted ICC’s ODI Player of the Year in 2011 and 2013 and Cricketer of the Year in 2012

Iconic wicket-takers

Shane Warne: Australia

Format	Matches	Wickets	Average	5WI	10WI	Best
Tests	145	708	25.41	37	10	8/71
ODIs	194	293	32.73	1	0	5/33

The late Australian legend is often hailed as reigniting the art of leg spin, able to turn the ball like he did for the ‘Ball of the Century’ which pitched outside leg but cut back almost impossibly to hit Mike Gatting’s off stump.

It has been claimed that Shane Warne’s strong wrists were the secret to his success.

Whichever way, The King of Spin recorded some vital performances in the 1999 Cricket World Cup, including figures of 4/33 in the final victory over Pakistan.

Up until 2007, Warne also held the record for the most Test wickets (708).

Following his death in 2022 at 52 years old, the Australian icon was mourned by his former teammates and his former opposition alike.

In addition to his bowling, Warne also scored over 3,000 Test runs
Made 125 catches as a slip fielder - among the most in Test cricket history.

James Anderson: England

Format	Matches	Wickets	Average	5WI	10WI	Best
Tests	188	704	26.45	32	3	7/42
ODIs	194	269	29.22	2	0	5/23

While some might consider James Anderson’s inclusion on the list as controversial, his success for England puts him on hallowed ground in the sport.

He claimed the most Test wickets as a fast bowler - an impressive 704 scalps.

Anderson is also the oldest player to top the ICC’s men’s Test bowling rankings and one of a few iconic players to feature in international Tests in their 40s.

The England and Wales Cricket Board have named Jimmy in their greatest all-time Test XI.

Anderson proved himself difficult to face due to an ability to swing the ball in both directions, but also possessed great seam movement and a knack for utilising bounce.

Is the first fast bowler to surpass 600 and 700 Test wickets
Played in the second-most Test matches in history, behind Sachin Tendulkar

Aggressive scorers

Chris Gayle: West Indies

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	103	7,214	42.18	333	15	37
ODIs	301	10,480	37.83	215	25	54
T20s	79	1,899	27.92	117	2	14

There is a reason Chris Gayle is among the most fearsome batsmen - when the West Indies icon strikes the ball, it stays struck and goes a long, long way.

His ability to hit boundaries helped coin the fan term ‘Gayle Storm’.

As the most capped player in West Indies cricket, Gayle is the only player to achieve a triple hundred in Tests, a double hundred in ODIs, and a hundred in T20s.

As his reputation suggests, the big man has also hit more than 1,000 T20 sixes.

Gayle was also pivotal for the West Indies in claiming the 2004 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2012 and 2016 editions of the T20 World Cup.

He played his last international match in 2021 but is yet to formally retire from cricket.

Is the leading run scorer for West Indies in ODIs and T20s
Scored 215 in an ODI against Zimbabwe, the highest by a left-handed batsman.

Virender Sehwag: India

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	104	8,586	49.34	319	23	32
ODIs	251	8,273	35.05	219	15	38

The Indian top-order batsman was once described by Wisden as the most exciting opener in the world, with iconic coach Bob Woolmer hailing him as a ‘sophisticated slugger’.

No matter the situation, Virender Sehwag always brought the fight to bowlers.

He represented India in their wins in the 2002 Champions Trophy, 2007 T20 World Cup, 2011 Cricket World Cup and 2010 Asia Cup.

Sehwag is also one of four batsmen to surpass 300 in Test cricket twice.

He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2023 but has continued to serve the sport as a member of India’s National Anti Doping Agency.

Was the first Indian recognised by Wisden as the Leading Cricketer in the World
One of only four batsmen in the world to have scored above 300 in Tests twice.

Sir Richard Hadlee: New Zealand

Format	Matches	Runs	Wickets	Batting avg	Best figures
Tests	86	3,125	431	22.29	9/52
ODIs	115	1,751	158	21.61	5/25

Sir Richard Hadlee is among New Zealand’s most iconic players and is also in the argument for the greatest all-rounders in cricket history.

His right-arm fast bowling was notorious for its accuracy and outswing.

Despite being more relied upon for taking wickets, Sir Richard was an aggressive batsman who had the innate ability to clear the boundary with ease.

Beyond cricket, he previously served New Zealand on its board of selectors.

Sir Richard Hadlee is among his country’s best all-round cricketers and was rated as the second-greatest Test bowler of all-time by Wisden.

Was the first bowler to exceed 400 Test wickets
His 9/52 is the best for a single Test innings of any fast bowler in the 20th century.

Most popular cricketers

Virat Kohli: India

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	123	9,230	46.85	254*	30	31
ODIs	295	13,906	58.18	183	50	72
T20s	125	4,188	48.69	122*	1	38

Boasting 270-million followers on Instagram and legions of fans watching him at stadiums, Virat Kohli is ranked as the most popular cricketer in the world.

However, his social media presence does not eclipse his batting pedigree.

Among stats validating Kohli’s presence among cricket’s greatest players, he has the most centuries in ODIs and was named as the ICC men’s player of the decade.

The Indian legend announced his retirement from T20Is in 2024.

He would look back with pride at being part of the squads that won the 2011 ODI World Cup, 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy.

Holds third place for the top run-scorer in T20 and ODI internationals
Has the most ODI centuries and the second-most international centuries in history.

Virat Kohli of India celebrates with the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup

Mahendra Singh Dhoni: India

Format	Matches	Runs	Average	Best	100s	50s
Tests	90	4,876	38.09	224	6	33
ODIs	350	10,773	50.57	183*	10	73
T20s	98	1,617	37.60	56	0	2

One of India’s most beloved players and leaders, Mahendra Singh Dhoni has a social media following of tens of millions even after his retirement.

A batsman-wicket-keeper, he is rated as his country’s most prolific captain.

Under the leadership of Dhoni, India won the 2007 T20 World Cup, the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the 2013 Champions Trophy, and two editions of the Asia Cup.

MSD thrilled fans with his unorthodox style, including the famed ‘helicopter’ shot.

In addition to his contributions to India’s tournament successes, Dhoni has also gained plaudits for his scoring, keeping, and captaincy for Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.

Is the only captain to win three different limited-over ICC tournaments
Has the most stumpings (195) and the third-most wicket-keeper dismissals (829).

Conclusion

Answering the question about the greatest cricketer of all-time remains a difficult one, considering the varied metrics and eras of the legends featured on this list.

Debate often centre around how the older legends would fare in the modern game.

However, this argument is fundamentally flawed since it is true that cricket has undergone major changes over the years, the objectives of the game remain the same.

At the end of the day, cricket is a game where runs and wickets are equally important.

However, in our opinion, the honour of the greatest cricketer of all-time must go to Sir Donald Bradman considering that he still tops certain metrics decades after retiring from the game.

Those records that were surpassed took far longer, even from iconics like Sachin Tendulkar.

Sir Donald’s enduring legacy on the sport is reflected with his entries into the record books although every legend on this list has earned their place among the greats.