Top 10 greatest all-rounders in cricket history

8. Tony Greig (England)

Tony Greig

Tony Greig was a legendary English cricketer who gained greater recognition during his prolonged commentary stint post-retirement. Born in Queenstown in South Africa, Greig was a giant of a player; towering to a staggering 6 feet 6 inches in height.

Greig notched up 8 centuries while representing England in Test Cricket, scoring them at a wonderful 40.43. He also boasted an uncanny ability of bowling both medium-pacers as well as right-arm off breaks that assisted him in securing 141 scalps in his career.

---

7. Shaun Pollock (South Africa)

Shaun Pollock

Shaun Pollock is a South African veteran acknowledged as one of the finest bowling all-rounders ever materialized. The fact that he's still the joint leading wicket-taker for South Africa in Tests and their highest wicket-taker in ODIs, speaks volumes of the guy's expertise with the two cherries.

Pollock was extremely useful with the bat, too, chipping in with crucial runs. His career average of 32.31 in Tests and 26.45 in ODIs is terrific for a bowling all-rounder and is, in fact, right up there with the likes of Freddie Flintoff.

---

6. Ian Botham (England)

Ian Botham

More popularly known as "Beefy" in the cricketing fraternity, Ian Botham is undoubtedly one of the stalwarts of the game. He is best known for his Ashes 1981's heroism that salvaged England. Through individual brilliance, he single-handedly took England to a 3-1 series victory; a series that was later nicknamed as "Botham's Ashes".

At that speck of time, Botham was the fastest cricketer to both 1,000 Test runs as well 100 Test wickets. He averaged just a shade over 33.5 in Test Cricket, coupled with the 383 wickets he took at 28.40, in the format.