Top 5 All-rounders in the history of Cricket
What differentiates a world-class all-rounder from the rest? His ability to shift the balance of the game single-handedly with his diverse skill-set. There have been situations in cricket where the specialists have failed to deliver and in such situations, all-rounders stole the show.
The cricketing world has seen the rise of multiple great all-rounders who have played a key role in the success of their teams but a very few deserve the right to be called, the all-time best in the history of the game as they have managed to engrave their names with golden letters in the cricketing books.
In this article we shall talk about five great all-rounders who have served their nation over time and have carried the hopes of millions of people watching them from their motherland.
#5 Lance Klusener
Lance Klusener, the South African batting all-rounder makes it at the number five spot among the top five all-rounders of all time. Klusener played a very important role in taking South African cricket to new heights, he was one of the crucial elements in 1999 world cup squad for the South African national team.
Klusener made his Test debut for South Africa against India in Calcutta during the second Test in 1996/97. He was a middle-order batsman know for his aggressive approach and a medium fast bowler.
Klusener played 49 Tests in which he scored 1906 runs at an average of 32.86 and took 80 wickets at an average of 37.91. He scored four centuries and eight half-centuries.
When it comes to ODI, Klusener's stats get a major boost, in his 171 matches scored 3576 runs, averaging 41.10 and took 192 wickets at an average of 29.95. He managed six five-wicket hauls.
Klusener's career reached the pinnacle in the 1999 world cup as his performance for the South African team had earned him the Man of the Tournament award. Klusener is one of the greatest South African allrounders who is remembered for his excellence with both bat and ball.