Top 55 All-Rounders in Cricket History List (The Complete Guide) | Greatest All-Rounders of All Time (Updated 2023)

by Nitesh Mathur | Dec 2, 2023 | Article Index, World XIs - With Twists

Today, we rank the greatest all-rounders in cricket history across formats and generations.

The importance of all-rounders can never be underestimated. Just look at Australia—Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, and Marcus Stoinis helped them win the 2023 ODI World Cup…yet again.

Recently, Ben Stokes joined the illustrious duo of Garfield Sobers & Jacques Kallis with 6000+ Test runs, 100+ wickets, and 100+ catches.

With some of the modern-day all-rounders in the mix, who are the greatest all-rounders in cricket history?

Key Takeaways

• Jacques Kallis, Sir Garfield Sobers, Shakib Al Hasan, Kapil Dev, Sir Ian Botham, Imran Khan, Keith Miller, Richie Benaud, Mike Procter, Sir Richard Hadlee, Andrew Flintoff, Shaun Pollock, Daniel Vettori, Sanath Jayasuriya, Wilfred Rhodes, Frank Woolley, Aubrey Faulkner, Clive Rice, and George Hirst have been judged as the Top 20 greatest all-rounders in cricket history.
• India (10), England (9), South Africa (9), Pakistan (7), Australia (7), West Indies (4), New Zealand (3), Zimbabwe (2), Sri Lanka (2), Netherlands (1), and Bangladesh (1) make up our list of the Top 55 all-rounders of all-time.

Also Read:

• 155 Greatest Cricketers of All Time (Men’s)
• Top 17 Greatest Wicketkeepers in Cricket History (Men’s)
• 76 Greatest Women Cricketers of All Time
• Top 43 Pakistan Fast Bowlers List (The Complete Guide)
• Top 50 Greatest West Indies Cricketers of All Time
• Top 25 South African Fast Bowlers List

By the Numbers: Greatest All-Rounders in Cricket History Across Formats

Here is a list of cricketers with more than 5000 runs and 200 wickets across formats in Test, ODI, and T20I cricket combined.

The results are sorted by most wickets.

First-Class Cricket All-Round Records

We also consider first-class cricket records, especially for players who played before the 1960s and South African legends who were barred from playing international cricket for over two decades.

This list contains players who have scored over 20,000 first class runs and taken over 2000 wickets.

1. Wilfred Rhodes – 39969 runs, 4204 wickets
2. Fred Titmus – 21588 runs, 2830 wickets
3. WG Grace – 54211 runs, 2809 wickets
4. Maurice Tate – 21717 runs, 2784 wickets
5. George Hirst – 36356 runs, 2742 wickets
6. Ewart Astill – 22735 runs, 2432 wickets
7. Trevor Bailey – 28641 runs, 2082 wickets
8. Ray Illingworth – 24134 runs, 2072 wickets
9. Frank Woolley – 58959 runs, 2066 wickets

List of the Greatest Cricket All Rounders of All-Time (RANKED)

Over a 100 cricketers were considered for this list.

Impact in Tests, World Cups, quality of opposition & era, impact as a match-winner for a team, first-class statistics, anecdotes (especially for earlier eras), performance in different formats (if applicable), and achievements/awards were all used to determine these rankings. Some of these were very close (and hence, may have a tinge of subjectiveness).

Honorable Mentions: Carl Hooper, Mohammad Hafeez, Bart King, Chaminda Vaas, Trevor Bailey, Wally Hammond, Polly Umrigar, WG Grace, Aravinda de Silva, Sir Vivian Richards, Steve Waugh, Thomas Odoyo, Neil Johnson, Angelo Mathews, Chris Harris, Jacob Oram, Kieron Pollard, Glenn Maxwell, Hardik Pandya, Mudassar Nazar, Learie Constantine, Jack Gregory, Maurice Tate, Hugh Trumble, Jason Holder, Johnny Briggs, George Giffen, Billy Barnes, Billy Bates, Hansie Cronje, Andy Bichel, Greg Chappell, Chris Old, Mohammad Nabi, Chris Gayle, Frank Worrell, Sean Williams, Mike Watkinson, Vernon Philander, JP Duminy, Sachin Tendulkar, Roelof van der Merwe, Kevin O’Brien, David Hussey, Scott Styris, Elton Chigumbura, Shane Warne, Anil Kumble, Ajit Agarkar, Tim Southee

Let’s begin.

55. Sunil Narine (West Indies, 2011-)

A late bloomer as an all-rounder. Mainly a mystery spinner that reinvented the role of the pinch hitter later in his T20 cricket. One of the pioneers of T20 cricket.

54. Yuvraj Singh (India, 2000-2017)

Yuvraj Singh, a pivotal figure in Indian cricket during the 2000s, significantly impacted the game as an all-rounder with his aggressive batting, useful slow left-arm orthodox bowling, and exceptional fielding skills. He was instrumental in India’s 2007 T20 and 2011 ODI World Cup victories and is celebrated for his ability to change the course of a match single-handedly, leaving a lasting legacy. Provided India the balance they needed.

53. Dattu Phadkar (India, 1947-1959)

Dattu Phadkar was an all-rounder that takes you back to the golden era of Indian cricket in the 1940s and 1950s.

52. Andre Russell (West Indies, 2010-2021)

Russell’s impact as an all-rounder is characterized by his explosive power-hitting, accurate yorkers at the death, and instrumental contributions to T20 franchises globally, establishing him as a dynamic force in limited-overs cricket.

51. Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe, 2013-)

The heart and soul of Zimbabwe. His purple patch after Zimbabwe’s snub in the 2019 ODI World Cup has been heartening to see. A true matchwinner for Zimbabwe.

50. Ryan Ten Doeschate (Netherlands, 2006-2021)

Ryan ten Doeschate’s impact as a Dutch all-rounder is distinguished by his rare achievement of 1,000 runs and 50 wickets in ODIs, coupled with his exemplary leadership, making him a key figure in the Netherlands’ cricketing success. Oh yeah, and don’t forget his ODI average of 67.00.

49. Mohinder Amarnath (India, 1969-1989)

Amarnath’s impact as an Indian all-rounder is immortalized by his crucial role in the historic 1983 World Cup triumph and his valuable contributions to Indian cricket.

48. Irfan Pathan (India, 2003-2012)

Even though it was only for a short period of time, India finally had an all-rounder worthy of creating Kapil Dev’s impact. Hat-trick, batting at #3, the yorker to Adam Gilchrist, the banana swing, and the ability to adapt—he had it all. Unfortunately, injuries, drop in pace, and change in action meant he was never the same again.

47. Tillakaratne Dilshan (Sri Lanka, 1999-2016)

Inventor of the Dilscoop, Dilshan was the spark that energized the golden generation of Sri Lanka between 2007 & 2015. Completely turned his career around when he was promoted as an opener. Handy off-spinner and the heart & soul of Sri Lanka’s fielding efforts.

46. Ravichandran Ashwin (India, 2010-)

Ravichandran Ashwin – what a game changer he has been! Not just any off-spinner, he’s hit a remarkable milestone – quickest Indian bowler to take 450 Test wickets. But there’s more to Ashwin than his lethal spin. He steps up with the bat too, scoring Test centuries when it matters most. And guess what? He’s taking us behind the scenes on his YouTube channel, offering a fresh, personal view of cricket.

45. Andrew Symonds (Australia, 1998-2009)

One of the most destructive all-round ODI players of all-time. The cog in the Australia machine that made them ruthless. Cricket has lost a great soul.

44. Shoaib Malik (Pakistan, 1999-2021)

An all-rounder that aged like fine wine. With the advent of T20 cricket, his value as an all-rounder increased. Could steady an ODI innings, slow down the runs as an off-spinners, and finish it off with a few big sixes.

43. Lala Amarnath (India, 1933-1952)

The senior Amarnath. A pioneer of Indian cricket, Lala Amarnath was the first Indian cricketer to score a Test century, and one of India’s early captains.

42. Trevor Goddard (South Africa, 1955-1970)

Goddard’s impact as a South African all-rounder is highlighted by his contributions to the team’s early successes and his legacy as a pioneering figure in South African cricket.

41. Heath Streak (Zimbabwe, 1993-2005)

One of the great icons of Zimbabwe’s golden generations. 455 international wickets and 4000 international runs, he provided fans with some great memories.

40. Bill Eldrich (England, 1939-1955)

36965 first class runs. 479 wickets. 527 catches. If that is not an all-rounder, I just don’t know what is.

39. Warwick Armstrong (Australia, 1902-1921)

An Australian cricketer and one of the greatest all-rounders of the early 20th century, Warwick Armstrong left an enduring legacy in the sport.

38. Ravi Shastri (India, 1981-1992)

A larger-than-life character. Shastri’s impact as an Indian all-rounder is characterized by his contributions to team victories, leadership roles, commentary spells, and his continued influence in Indian cricket as a coach and administrator.

37. Wasim Raja (Pakistan, 1973-1985)

Raja’s impact as a Pakistani cricketer is remembered for his stylish batting, contributions to team successes, and his influence on the field during an era of competitive cricket.

36. Lance Klusener (South Africa, 1996-2004)

Lance Klusener, that South African cricket dynamo of the late 90s and early 2000s, was an absolute game-changer. His left-handed batting? Ferocious. His right-arm fast-medium bowling? Terrifyingly accurate. And his game sense? Ice cool under pressure. Remember the ’99 World Cup? Klusener owned it, bagging the Player of the Tournament with a jaw-dropping average of 140.50 runs and snagging 17 wickets to boot. Not to mention his one-day magic: over 3500 runs at a solid average of 41.10, and 192 wickets. Now that’s what I call redefining the all-rounder role!

35. Abdul Razzaq (Pakistan, 1996-2013)

Despite never quite reaching the heights of the great Imran Khan, Razzaq remains etched in Pakistan fans’ memories as one of the most effective and versatile players. A pioneer in lower-order power hitting, Razzaq & Afridi provided the balance and flexibility to the great Pakistan generation of the 90s.

34. Chris Cairns (New Zealand, 1989-2006)

With over 8000 international runs and 400 wickets, Chris Cairns is undoubtedly one of New Zealand’s greatest all-rounders. Among a team of dibbly dobblers, Cairns actually had some pace in him. A big hitter down the order as well.

33. Mushtaq Mohammad (Pakistan, 1959-1979)

In the illustrious line of the Mohammad brothers (think Hanif), Mushtaq boasted the most first-class centuries (72) and most wickets (936).

32. Ravindra Jadeja (India, 2009-)

Ravindra Jadeja, a versatile all-rounder who rose to prominence during the 2010s, significantly influenced Indian cricket with his exceptional left-arm spin bowling, reliable lower-order batting, and electric fielding; he has consistently delivered match-winning performances. Also has three first-class triple hundreds. A true modern-day all-rounder.

31. Vinoo Mankad (India, 1946-1959)

Before the Ravindra Jadejas & Axar Patels, there was another left arm spin Indian all-rounder. You may have heard of his name for the infamous dismissal, but Vinoo Makad was much more. He would open the batting and bowling in the same innings, would score two double hundreds in the same series, took up captaincy duties, and would take eight wickets in a Test innings twice in his career!

30. Monty Noble (Australia, 1898-1909)

At the turn of the 20th century, Monty Noble was an Australian legend who commanded the pitch with his right-hand batting and medium pace bowling, earned him recognition as one of the most complete players of his era. His exceptional ability was evident in every aspect of the game – not to mention his distinguished captaincy, which solidified his status as one of the greatest all-round cricketers ever produced by Australia.

29. Dwayne Bravo (West Indies, 2004-)

Dwayne Bravo, a charismatic all-rounder who dominated the 2010s, revolutionized cricket with his powerful hitting, agile fielding, and captivating leadership. He made significant contributions to T20 cricket with the most wickets of all-time, over 2000 Test runs, 2900 ODI runs – thereby cementing his legacy as one of the game’s early T20 legends and a “trailblazer” of his era.

28. Wasim Akram (Pakistan, 1984-2003)

In the cricket-packed era of the 90s and early 2000s, Wasim Akram was a game-changer from Pakistan who not only stunned opponents with his incredible left-hand bowling, but also made history by taking 500 wickets in the one-day format. He has four hat-tricks in international cricket to his name and set standards that redefined the role of a left arm fast bowler in the sport. Also scored a 257* in Tests!

27. Brian McMillan (South Africa, 1991-1998)

Among the most prominent allrounders after South Africa’s readmission. According to ESPNCricinfo, McMillan was “rated by many as the best allrounder in the world in the mid-1990s.”

26. Alan Davidson (Australia, 1953-1963)

First person to score a hundred and take a 10-fer in a Test.

25. Eddie Barlow (South Africa, 1961-1970)

Known for his aggressive batting, medium-fast bowling, and exceptional fielding, Barlow played a key role in South Africa’s cricketing endeavors.

24. Tony Greig (England, 1965-1978)

Apart from being known as one of the voices of cricket, Tony Greig also had an illustrious career as an all-rounder for England. 3599 Test & 16,660 FC runs, 141 Test & 856 FC wickets, and captaincy to top it off.

23. Ben Stokes (England, 2011-)

Ben Stokes, the explosive all-rounder from England, is more than just stats and records. With his audacious batting style, airborne catches, dynamite bowling arm, and a mind of steel, he has redefined cricket – his mental strength shone when he led England to triumph in the Ashes Headingly heist, the 2019 World Cup final, and again in the 2022 T20 World Cup, proving that when the pressure is on, Stokes is the man you want at the crease. Unfortunately, it was not meant to be after he un-retired from ODI cricket for the final hurrah in what turned to be a disappointing 2023 ODI World Cup in India.

22. Shane Watson (Australia, 2002-2016)

In the dynamic era of 2000s and early 2010s cricket, Shane Watson was a tour de force for Australia, combining his explosive right-handed batting. Add to that, his reliable medium pace bowling that helped him take over 150 wickets, earning him the distinction of being one of the most successful all-rounders in international cricket, particularly in limited overs. His key achievements include winning the ‘Most Valuable Player’ in several crucial tournaments like the 2007 & 2015 ODI World Cup, 2009 Champions Trophy, the IPL, and 2012 World T20. A template for an ideal modern-day T20 all-rounder.

21. Ray Illingworth (England, 1958-1973)

24134 first class runs. 2072 wickets. Now those are some numbers.

20. George Hirst (England, 1897-1909)

An English all-rounder, George Hirst was one of the leading cricketers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

19. Aubrey Faulkner (South Africa, 1906-1924)

Generally regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders of all-time and certainly the greatest international all-rounder during his era. Also fought in a couple of wars, started a school, and wrote a book.

18. Clive Rice (South Africa, 1969-1993)

Yet another great South African cricketer that missed out on international cricket stardom. His first-class numbers speak volumes with over 26,000 first class runs & 930 wickets.

17. Frank Woolley (England, 1909-1934)

In the golden age of cricket, from the early 1900s to the late 1930s, Frank Woolley was a titan on the pitch for England, dazzling spectators with his graceful left-handed batting that amassed a staggering 58,959 runs in his career, while his formidable left-arm spin bowling claimed 2,503 first-class wickets and a 100 in Test matches; achieving the rare double feat of 2000 runs and 100 wickets in multiple seasons, his immense contributions helped shape the very essence of the all-rounder role in cricket.

16. Wilfred Rhodes (England, 1899-1930)

Longest FC career of all-time (30 years), 39,969 FC runs, 58 hundreds, 4204 wickets, 287 5-wicket hauls, and 765 catches. The numbers say it all. One of the early pioneers of the game, dominating from 1899 to 1930.

15. Sanath Jayasuriya (Sri Lanka, 1989-2011)

Sanath Jayasuriya, a cricketing powerhouse of the 1990s, revolutionized the concept of an all-rounder. His cunning bowling skills and explosive batting style made him only cricketer in history to achieve an all-rounder double of scoring 10,000 runs and taking 300 wickets in a single format, thus leaving an unforgettable legacy on the sport.

14. Daniel Vettori (New Zealand, 1997-2015)

Vettori was a mainstay in the New Zealand cricket team for nearly two decades. Although he was the premier left arm spinner in the world for more than a decade, one of his lasting memories was squeezing Dale Steyn for four to take New Zealand to their first World Cup final. Could be trusted with both bat and ball.

13. Shaun Pollock (South Africa, 1995-2008)

Shaun Pollock, a South African cricket legend who made his debut in 1995, redefined the role of an all-rounder with his potent bowling and handy batting, playing a crucial part in 423 international matches, leading as a captain, and leaving an indelible mark on the sport with his strategic thinking and consistent performances, before transitioning to a respected commentator and coach post-retirement. An all-rounder in every aspect of his life.

12. Shahid Afridi (Pakistan, 1996-2018)

Shahid Afridi, a cricketing dynamo during the 2000s, redefined the role of an all-rounder with his aggressive right-handed batting, versatile leg-spin bowling, and charismatic leadership. He not only led Pakistan to several memorable victories, but also left a lasting impression on the sport with his record-breaking 37-ball ODI century and a unique distinction as the best power-hitter across three decades, thereby solidifying his status as one of cricket’s most influential figures.

11. Andrew Flintoff (England, 1998-2009)

The overs to Ricky Ponting & Jacques Kallis probably summed his career up. Energy and intensity like no other. In the 2000s, a time of fierce competition and fast-paced cricket, Andrew Flintoff was a force to be reckoned with. His powerful batting and aggressive bowling made him one of England’s most formidable all-rounders, taking 169 wickets in ODIs and 226 in Test cricket, ranking him among the greatest English bowlers, while his unforgettable ‘Player of the Series’ performance in the 2005 Ashes cemented his legacy as a game-changer for English cricket.

10. Sir Richard Hadlee (New Zealand, 1973-1990)

Sir Richard Hadlee, a true game-changer and Kiwi legend, wasn’t just an all-rounder but a record-breaker too, retiring with the most Test wickets in 1990. Knighted for his unmatched contributions, Hadlee’s 431 Test wickets have made an indelible mark on the cricketing world. Arguably the best bowler of the lot among Botham, Imran, and Kapil.

9. Mike Procter (South Africa, 1965-1989)

Another talent lost to international cricket due to the Apartheid ban. Only played seven Tests, but 21,936 first-class runs as well as 1,417 Test wickets are a testament to his abilities.

8. Richie Benaud (Australia, 1952-1964)

Apart from being one of the greatest commentators of all-time, Richie Benaud had an illustrious career as a leg-spinner, all-rounder, and Australian captain as well.

7. Keith Miller (Australia, 1946-1956)

Keith Miller, a dominant force in Australian cricket during the post-war era, is celebrated as Australia’s greatest all-rounder. His irreverent manner, good looks, and swashbuckling style made him a crowd favorite, and his extraordinary all-round skills etched his name in Australian cricket folklore forever.

6. Imran Khan (Pakistan, 1971-1992)

Imran Khan, a cricketing maestro and one of the finest all-rounders the game has ever seen, etched his name in global cricket history by leading Pakistan to its first and only World Cup victory in 1992. His leadership, unwavering belief in his team, and personal performance—which included over 3,800 runs and 362 wickets in Test cricket—propelled Pakistan cricket to new heights, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire.

5. Kapil Dev (India, 1978-1994)

Kapil Dev, the trailblazer of Indian cricket, was a formidable all-rounder who notched up over 5,000 runs and took more than 400 wickets in Test cricket, a feat unmatched by any other cricketer. His leadership guided India to its first ever World Cup victory in 1983, reshaping the landscape of cricket in the country while his fast-bowling prowess earned him respect from batsmen globally, leaving an indelible mark on world cricket.

4. Sir Ian Botham (England, 1976-1992)

Ian Botham, a charismatic force in the 1980s, revolutionized cricket with his aggressive stroke play, natural flair, and dynamic batting style, becoming one of the greatest all-rounders in history and significantly influencing English cricket. His unique ability to dominate bowlers and score centuries while capturing 5 wickets in a test match on 5 occasions, along with his fastest double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets, makes him an unforgettable phenomenon in the cricket world.

3. Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh, 2006-)

Shakib Al Hasan, the dynamic all-rounder from Bangladesh, has been a game-changer in cricket since his debut in 2006. With his consistent and canny bowling, aggressive batting style, and leadership skills (kind of), he has become a cornerstone of the Bangladesh national team. His impressive career stats include over 10,000 runs and 500 wickets across all formats, making him a true cricketing icon for the modern era.

2. Sir Garfield Sobers (West Indies, 1954-1974)

Sir Garfield Sobers, the West Indian all-rounder, was a game-changer in every sense, amassing 8,032 Test runs and securing 235 wickets with his versatile bowling. His impact goes beyond statistics, as his passion and resilience continue to inspire generations, making him an enduring icon in cricket.

1. Jacques Kallis (South Africa, 1995-2014)

Jacques Kallis, the unstoppable South African all-rounder who not only scored a whopping 13,289 Test runs and took 292 Test wickets but also changed the game as we know it. His monumental contributions go beyond stats; they challenge how we view cricket, reminding us that passion, versatility, and sheer skill can indeed redefine a sport.

Also Read: Top 51 Greatest South African Cricketers of All-Time (Updated 2024)

Final Thoughts

All-rounders are some of the most sought-after cricketers in each team, regardless of the formats.

India still has not replaced Kapil Dev, every Hardik Pandya injury shakes the entire line up, and two players were needed to replace the great Jacques Kallis.

In ICC tournaments, players like Yuvraj Singh & Lance Klusener become extremely valuable to World Cup victories. The memories of the original Fab 4—Ian Botham, Kapil Dev, Imran Khan, and Sir Richard Hadlee—is still deeply ingrained in every 80s cricket fan’s heart.

From Shahid Afridi to Sir Garfield Sobers, all of these cricketers have made an impact like no other.

Who was your favorite?

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Frequently Asked Questions – Greatest All-Rounders in Cricket History

Sources: Inspired by Cricinfo’s Greatest All-Rounder Series

© Copyright @Nitesh Mathur and Broken Cricket Dreams, 2023. Originally published on 12/02/2023. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Broken Cricket Dreams with appropriate and specific direction to the original content (i.e. linked to the exact post/article).