Cricket, the second-most popular sport in the world, has a rich history of producing talented players who have made significant contributions to the game. However, despite their impressive achievements, some cricketers have flown under the radar, failing to receive the recognition they deserve. In this essay, we will explore the top 10 most underrated cricketers of all time, highlighting their achievements and contributions to the sport.
- Hedley Howarth (New Zealand)
Hedley Howarth, a left-arm spinner from New Zealand, is one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. With 31 Test wickets at an average of 36.93, Howarth’s statistics may not be impressive, but his impact on the game was significant. He was a key member of the New Zealand team that defeated England in 1978, and his left-arm spin was a major factor in the team’s success.
- Mohinder Amarnath (India)
Mohinder Amarnath, a right-handed batsman from India, is another underrated cricketer who deserves more recognition. With 4,378 Test runs at an average of 42.50, Amarnath’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the Indian team that won the 1983 World Cup, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Allan Border (Australia)
Allan Border, a left-handed batsman from Australia, is one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. With 11,174 Test runs at an average of 50.73, Border’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the Australian team that dominated world cricket in the 1980s and 1990s, and his leadership was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Lance Gibbs (West Indies)
Lance Gibbs, a right-arm off-spinner from the West Indies, is another underrated cricketer who deserves more recognition. With 309 Test wickets at an average of 29.09, Gibbs’ statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the West Indies team that dominated world cricket in the 1960s and 1970s, and his spin was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Ken Barrington (England)
Ken Barrington, a right-handed batsman from England, is one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. With 6,806 Test runs at an average of 58.67, Barrington’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the English team that dominated world cricket in the 1950s and 1960s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Graham Thorpe (England)
Graham Thorpe, a left-handed batsman from England, is another underrated cricketer who deserves more recognition. With 6,744 Test runs at an average of 44.66, Thorpe’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the English team that competed in the 1990s and 2000s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Dean Jones (Australia)
Dean Jones, a right-handed batsman from Australia, is one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. With 3,631 Test runs at an average of 46.55, Jones’ statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the Australian team that dominated world cricket in the 1980s and 1990s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Martin Crowe (New Zealand)
Martin Crowe, a right-handed batsman from New Zealand, is another underrated cricketer who deserves more recognition. With 5,444 Test runs at an average of 45.36, Crowe’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the New Zealand team that competed in the 1980s and 1990s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- Andy Flower (Zimbabwe)
Andy Flower, a left-handed batsman from Zimbabwe, is one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. With 4,794 Test runs at an average of 51.54, Flower’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the Zimbabwean team that competed in the 1990s and 2000s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
- V.V.S. Laxman (India)
V.V.S. Laxman, a right-handed batsman from India, is another underrated cricketer who deserves more recognition. With 8,781 Test runs at an average of 45.97, Laxman’s statistics are impressive, but his impact on the game goes beyond numbers. He was a key member of the Indian team that competed in the 1990s and 2000s, and his batting was instrumental in the team’s success.
Conclusion
The cricketers listed above are just a few examples of the many talented players who have flown under the radar despite their impressive achievements. These players have made significant contributions to the sport, and their legacies deserve to be recognized and celebrated. By acknowledging the achievements of these underrated cricketers, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the sport and its rich history.
References:
- ESPN Cricinfo. (2020). Player Profiles.
- ICC. (2020). Cricket Records.
- CricketArchive. (2020). Player Profiles.
- Wisden. (2020). Almanack.
- Cricket Australia. (2020). Player Profiles.