Fast bowlers command respect on the cricket field as they have the ability to cause harm with the ball in hand. And if they have height to go with their pace, then it’s impossible to keep your eyes off them.
Cricket has had its fair share of genuinely tall fast bowlers over the years. Their ability to extract extra bounce from any wicket makes them a captain’s delight and are therefore given a preference over other pacers.
This week, Australian quick Billy Stanlake produced a stunning spell of pace bowling against New Zealand, finishing with figures of 3-15 in Sydney.
With Stanlake’s height and pace the talk of the cricketing world, here we look at other tall fast bowlers still in operation international cricket.
MOHAMMAD IRFAN (216 cms, 7’1”)
The Pakistan left-arm fast bowler is the tallest cricketer in the world. He recently returned to domestic cricket after serving a six-month ban for failing to report offers from bookies to fix games during last year’s PSL.
He is one of the few tall quicks who can consistently bowl at 90mph even in Test matches. But he is approaching 36 and is unlikely to sustain his pace for long.
BILLY STANLAKE (204 cms, 6’8”)
Australia’s new wonderkid. He made his T20 and ODI debut last year but it’s against New Zealand in the ongoing T20 tri-series that Stanlake made an impact, beating opening batsmen Martin Guptill and Colin Munro through sheer pace. His speeds were up throughout the Big Bash League and it looks like Australia have found a long-term prospect in limited overs cricket.
BOYD RANKIN (204 cms, 6’8”)
The Northern Ireland seam bowler made his debut in 2007 and was part of the side that famously defeated Pakistan in the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies. He switched to England to further his Test prospects and even played the 2014 Sydney Ashes match. He is now back in Ireland colours.
STEVEN FINN (201 cms, 6’7”)
A supremely talented fast bowler who hasn’t quite lived up to his potential. When the England pacer started his career, he was seriously quick but a spate of injuries – including stress fracture to his foot – and issues with his run-up have curtailed a once promising career. His height became a disadvantage for him in 2015 when he banged his head on a sign-post while walking down the street, resulting in a gash on his head.
JASON HOLDER (201 cms, 6’7”)
The West Indies seamer was made captain of the side at the age of 23. He uses his height to compensate for the lack of pace and is one of the more consistent performers in the squad.
