10 tallest cricketers of all time

5) Curtly Ambrose (6 feet 7 inches)

“Curtly talk to no man.”

That line summed up arguably West Indies’ most effective bowler of his generation, a man who despite his fame refused to be drawn into interviews and stardom. Along with long-time friend Courtney Walsh, the languid pacer wreaked havoc on batting orders around the world, finishing a sterling career with over 600 international wickets to his name.

Among his many achievements, one that stands out is a spell against Australia in 1993 where he took 7 wickets for the loss of just one run.

High, rearing bounce, good pace and immaculate lines and lengths made him almost unplayable in the 80s, all the way to the end of the 90s, with Ambrose getting inducted to the ICC Hall of Fame in 2011.

What does he do now? Coach? Commentator? Administrator? No. Ambrose is a bass guitarist in a reggae band. Sounds like a perfect fit!

4) Peter George (6 feet 8 inches)

26 years of age, 6’8″ tall and not many injuries of note during his career, Peter George has all the ingredients to be a premier fast bowler.

However, despite being likened to Glenn McGrath, George only just made it to this list by virtue of the one Test match he played against India in Bangalore in 2010. He didn’t exactly shine in that encounter either, managing just two wickets in both innings put together. Additionally, much like the other tall bowlers on this list who seem clueless with the bat in hand, George scored a grand total of two runs in his two innings put together as India cruised to a win in that match.

However, one of his two dismissals was one rather special, as George claimed the scalp of Sachin Tendulkar when the great man was on 214, knocking down his stumps.

George currently plays for South Australia, and with age on his side, could still be in line for a recall in the coming years.

3) Bruce Reid (6 feet 8 inches)

Bruce Reid talking to a short Indian man called Sachin

Bruce Reid was an Australian pacer who played 27 Tests in the late 80s and early 90s, but endured a struggle with injuries throughout his career.

But injuries were not the only struggle for Reid, as his batting wasn’t of much note either, the player spurning six chances to score the two runs required to win a match against rivals New Zealand on one occasion.

Following his playing career, he turned to coaching, and was India’s bowling coach on their 2003-04 tour of Australia.

2) Joel Garner (6 feet 8 inches)

Guess which one he is!

Big Bird, as he was called, was easily one of the most fearsome West Indies bowlers of all-time. And going by the stature of West Indies’ quicks of the past, that is saying quite a bit.

The lanky fast bowler was successful even on wickets that were conducive to batting, and troubled batsmen with the steep bounce that he produced with balls that were pitched short of a length.

And then there were his consistent, toe-crushing yorkers. Garner ended his career with an average of 20 in Tests and 18 in ODIs, and was the epitome of the powers of height for a fast bowler.

1) Mohammad Irfan (7 feet 1 inch)

High-fiving Irfan is an effort in itself

This mammoth man from Pakistan is the tallest cricketer in the world. He gained attention after being snapped up by the Kolkata franchise of the Indian Premier League in 2011, and in recent times has become a mainstay in the Pakistan side.

It took coaches a lot of time to realise Irfan’s talent, as he worked at a plastic pipe factory, and started playing professional cricket only at the age of 27. Maybe it was going over their heads (pun intended!).

Injuries however have plagued Irfan, and Pakistan will have to manage his games well in order to keep him fit and in form for the World Cup in 2015.