The definition of all rounder is someone who has the ability to simultaneously deliver performances with both bat and ball.
Very few in the game have got the ability to win matches and series with their secondary discipline but those are widely regarded as among the best ever. Here is my list for the top 10 test all rounders of all-time.
1. Garfield Sobers - Regarded as absolute genius of the game, one of the greatest batsman of all-time and a game changer with bowl also, can bowl pace and spin both and a great captain. Undoubtedly, a GOAT of the game.
2. Imran Khan - One of the best ever fast bowlers who revolutionized reverse swing and was a technically proficient batsman with a match winning knock in World Cup Final 1992 in winning cause as well. With an average of 22 with bowl and 37 with bat, he has a strong case to be regarded as GOAT all rounder. Alongwith that, one of the all time great captains of the game.
3. Jacques Kallis - The greatest South African cricketer of all-time and also their greatest test batsman who mastered runs-scoring in all conditions, be it pace or spin. His numbers with bat or bowl speaks for himself but alongwith that, he was also the player of tournament in the only ICC tournament that South Africa have won.
4. Ian Botham - Arguably the best ever genuine all rounder for a substantial period(1978-1983). Match winner with both bat and bowl and probably good enough to get into most sides on either of the two suits.
5. Keith Miller - Much like Sobers, a genius in true sense with amazing ability with both bat and bowl. Another player who would get into most sides with both bat and bowl.
Apart from these 5, some of the other names who have a genuinely strong case are:-
Kapil Dev
Tony Greig
Chris Cairns
Ben Stokes
Shakib/ Jadeja
Very few in the game have got the ability to win matches and series with their secondary discipline but those are widely regarded as among the best ever. Here is my list for the top 10 test all rounders of all-time.
1. Garfield Sobers - Regarded as absolute genius of the game, one of the greatest batsman of all-time and a game changer with bowl also, can bowl pace and spin both and a great captain. Undoubtedly, a GOAT of the game.
2. Imran Khan - One of the best ever fast bowlers who revolutionized reverse swing and was a technically proficient batsman with a match winning knock in World Cup Final 1992 in winning cause as well. With an average of 22 with bowl and 37 with bat, he has a strong case to be regarded as GOAT all rounder. Alongwith that, one of the all time great captains of the game.
3. Jacques Kallis - The greatest South African cricketer of all-time and also their greatest test batsman who mastered runs-scoring in all conditions, be it pace or spin. His numbers with bat or bowl speaks for himself but alongwith that, he was also the player of tournament in the only ICC tournament that South Africa have won.
4. Ian Botham - Arguably the best ever genuine all rounder for a substantial period(1978-1983). Match winner with both bat and bowl and probably good enough to get into most sides on either of the two suits.
5. Keith Miller - Much like Sobers, a genius in true sense with amazing ability with both bat and bowl. Another player who would get into most sides with both bat and bowl.
Apart from these 5, some of the other names who have a genuinely strong case are:-
Kapil Dev
Tony Greig
Chris Cairns
Ben Stokes
Shakib/ Jadeja
