Cricket is a sport where skills, mindset, and strategy matter the most. Yet, physical attributes like height have often played a big role—especially for bowlers. Tall cricketers use their long strides and higher release point to generate steep bounce and awkward angles, making life difficult for batters. From the legendary Joel Garner to Pakistan’s towering Mohammad Irfan, and now rising stars like Marco Jansen and Kyle Jamieson, tall players have left a unique impact on cricket’s history.
This article covers the tallest cricketers of all time and the tallest players currently active in 2025-26, along with their achievements and contributions.
Tallest Cricketer in the World (All Time)
The record for the tallest cricketer in cricket history belongs to Mohammad Irfan of Pakistan, who stands at 7 feet 1 inch (216 cm). Nicknamed Pakistan’s Burj Khalifa, Irfan’s normal-length deliveries rose chest-high for most batters, making him one of the most intimidating fast bowlers.
Key Career Highlights – Mohammad Irfan
- Country: Pakistan
- Height: 7’1” (216 cm)
- Role: Left-arm fast bowler
- Career Span: 2010–2019
- Achievements:
- 83 wickets in ODIs (Economy 4.87)
- 16 wickets in T20Is (Economy 6.90)
- Played 60 ODIs, 22 T20Is, 4 Tests
Top 10 Tallest Cricketers in History
| Rank | Player | Height (Feet/Inch) | Height (CM) | Country | Career Span |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohammad Irfan | 7’1″ | 216 | Pakistan | 2010–2019 |
| 2 | Marco Jansen | 6’10″ | 206 | South Africa | 2021–Present |
| 3 | Boyd Rankin | 6’8.5″ | 204 | Ireland/England | 2007–2020 |
| 4 | Billy Stanlake | 6’8″ | 203 | Australia | 2017–2019 |
| 5 | Joel Garner | 6’8″ | 203 | West Indies | 1977–1987 |
| 6 | Bruce Reid | 6’8″ | 203 | Australia | 1985–1992 |
| 7 | Kyle Jamieson | 6’8″ | 203 | New Zealand | 2020–Present |
| 8 | Blessing Muzarabani | 6’8″ | 203 | Zimbabwe | 2017–Present |
| 9 | Cameron Cuffy | 6’8″ | 203 | West Indies | 1994–2002 |
| 10 | Peter George | 6’8″ | 203 | Australia | 2010 |
Tallest Cricketers Currently Active (2025-26)
| Rank | Player | Height (Feet/Inch) | Height (CM) | Country | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marco Jansen | 6’10″ | 206 | South Africa | Fast Bowler / All-rounder |
| 2 | Kyle Jamieson | 6’8″ | 203 | New Zealand | Fast Bowler |
| 3 | Shaheen Afridi | 6’8″ | 203 | Pakistan | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
| 4 | Jason Holder | 6’7″ | 204 | West Indies | All-rounder |
| 5 | Reece Topley | 6’7″ | 204 | England | Left-arm Fast Bowler |
| 6 | Blessing Muzarabani | 6’8″ | 203 | Zimbabwe | Fast Bowler |
| 7 | Cameron Green | 6’6″ | 198 | Australia | All-rounder |
| 8 | Ishant Sharma* | 6’5″ | 196 | India | Fast Bowler |
| 9 | Morne Morkel* | 6’5″ | 196 | South Africa | Fast Bowler (Retired recently) |
| 10 | Stuart Broad* | 6’5″ | 196 | England | Fast Bowler (Retired 2023) |
(*Semi-active/retired recently but remain notable tall figures in modern cricket.)
While Irfan remains the tallest ever, many tall cricketers are still active today, continuing the legacy.
Read: Top 10 Tallest Indian Cricketers
Why Height Matters in Cricket
- Extra Bounce: A taller release point troubles batters.
- Awkward Angles: Steep deliveries create unique challenges.
- Intimidation Factor: Facing a 6’8”+ pacer is psychologically demanding.
- All-round Advantage: Tall batters have longer reach and can clear boundaries more easily.
Read Also:- New God of Cricket in 2025
Conclusion
From Mohammad Irfan (7’1”) to modern-day giants like Marco Jansen and Kyle Jamieson, tall cricketers have left a remarkable mark on the game. While height alone does not guarantee success, when combined with skill and temperament, it becomes a match-winning weapon.
As cricket evolves, these towering figures continue to dominate headlines, proving that in cricket, being tall can truly be an extra edge.
