Heaviest Cricketers: Today, the game of cricket and fitness go hand in hand with each other. Maintaining fitness has become of the most important parts in a cricketer’s career. With the advent of T20 cricket, the importance of fitness has indeed reached a notch higher than ever before.
However, there were times when fitness wasn’t the topmost priority in selecting someone in the team, and when only one-dimensional skill would be enough to make it to the squad. In fact, there have been some of the chubbiest cricketers in the game who went on to become world-class cricketers with their one-dimensional skill.
Here’s a look at 10 top such heaviest cricketers who have played the game and entertained the crowd with their top-notch acts on the fields:
1. Inzamam Ul-Haq
We bet the first name that would be coming in your mind would be Pakistan’s former captain Inzamam ul-Haq. Inzamam ul-Haq has a history of funniest run-outs in cricket, but despite his chubby built, the Pakistan former player holds a list of records to his name and was right up there at the top along with the best of cricketers.
Inzamam ul Haq has played 120 Test Matches and 378 One-day Internationals in his career, scoring 8830 and 11739 runs respectively.
2. Jesse Ryder
Jesse Ryder made headlines ever since he was drafted in the squad, displaying spectacular performances both with bat and ball.
However, the New Zealand all-rounder sat outside the pitch for the most part of his career, given the history of injuries he has had in his career. No doubt, the New Zealand player had a lot of potential however couldn’t make it big owing to his heavy built physique which lead to a list of injuries.
Ryder has scored 1362 runs in 48 One-Day Internationals in his career.
3. Ramesh Powar
Boasting of a 10kg extra fat, Ramesh Powar never looked a good sight to watch on a cricket field. But given his ability to fox the greatest of players, the former Indian spinner played as many 31 One-Day Internationals for the team, picking 34 wickets for the team. He has also played two Test Matches for the team.
The 41-year old has recently been made the bowling coach of India’s A team.
4. Darren Gough
Once a spearhead of England’s bowling attack, Darren Gough was a pleasantly looking chubby guy. Despite being one of the heaviest cricketers on the field, Gough was amongst the best fast bowlers in the team and was widely known for his accuracy and swing.
Gough had played 159 ODIs and 58 Tests for the team, picking 235 and 229wickets respectively.
5. Shane Warne
When came into the International scene, Shane Warne wasn’t among the fittest cricketers in the world. The Australian cricketer never shied away in revealing his interest for Beers and fast-food items. Though, later, he realised the importance of a healthy lifestyle in an athlete’s life and followed a fit regime which helped him attaining a massive success in International cricket.
Shane Warne played 194 One-Day Internationals for the team, picking 293 wickets at an economy of just 4.25, while he picked 708 wickets in 145 Test Matches at an average of 25.4.
6. Samit Patel
Former England cricketer Samit Patel made his ODI debut for England in 2008, but was later dropped from the team after failing to meet the fitness levels. Having still gotten that fat on his body, Patel is actively playing in England’s domestic matches.
Patel has scored 422 runs in 22 one-day Internationals at an average of 32.1.
7. Arjuna Ranatunga
Former Sri Lankan captain, Arjuna Ranatunga might be one of the best leaders the nation has ever produced but was amongst the heaviest players in the sport. Arjuna Ranatunga was widely applauded for his leadership but has had a lot of concern when it comes to his fitness.
Arjuna Ranatunga has played 93 Test matches for his nation, scoring 5105 runs at a healthy average of 35.7. While in One-day Internationals, he has played 269 matches and has scored 7456 runs.
8. Dwayne Leverock
One of the biggest cricketers to have ever played the game, Dwayne Leverock made headlines when he took one hell of a catch in 2007 World Cup, diving his right to catch the ball only to send Uthappa packing.
9. Colin Milburn
Former English player, Colin Milburn weight 121kg at one point in his career. Though, he couldn’t play a lot of matches for the team, having met with an accident at an early stage of his career. The English cricketer has scored 654 runs in nine test matches, including two hundreds.
10. Merv Hughes
Known for his on-field antics and classic sledges, Merv Hughes knew how to intimate batsmen. The chubby Australian cricketer played 53 test matches for Australia, picking 212 wickets for the team.
