Ranking the Best: Top 10 Cricketers of 2023

 

Ranking the Best: Top 10 Cricketers of 2023

As the year comes to an end, you look back at the performances of some of the top cricketers around the world. 2023 has been an action-packed year in cricket with some stellar individual performances and tight contests between bat and ball. Several players have stood out and showcased their skills on the biggest stages, under immense pressure. After analyzing stats, impact, and achievements over the past 12 months, here is the ranking of the top 10 cricketers of 2023. These players have not only dominated the game with their talent but have also inspired fans around the world with their dedication and sportsmanship. The competition was intense but these masters of the game came out on top to cement their status as the best in the business.

The Best Bowlers Currently in Cricket

When analyzing the best bowlers in cricket today, a few names consistently rise to the top of the rankings.
Pat Cummins, the Australian fast bowler, continues to dominate. His raw pace and ability to generate movement both ways make him a formidable opponent on any surface. Cummins took 59 wickets in just 36 matches this year at an average of 20.15, cementing his status as the top-ranked bowler.
Kagiso Rabada, the South African fast bowler, pushes Cummins for the top spot. Rabada generates lethal pace and bounce, especially on spicy South African wickets. He claimed 50 wickets in 2022 at 22.86 and excels in partnerships with fellow Proteas quicks.
Jasprit Bumrah, India’s premier fast bowler, provides a lethal combination of pace, accuracy, and movement. Bumrah claimed 45 wickets in 2022 at an average of just 19.68. His ability to bowl yorkers and bouncers with pinpoint precision makes him a threat in all formats.
Nathan Lyon, the Australian off-spinner, leads the spin bowlers. Lyon claimed 48 wickets in 2022 at an average of 25.35. His consistent accuracy and ability to generate sharp turn and bounce on most surfaces resulted in several match-winning performances. Lyon forms a potent partnership with Cummins and Australia’s other quicks.
In summary, the diversity of world-class bowlers across pace, spin, and various countries points to an exciting era of cricket ahead. Fans can anticipate many thrilling contests as these bowlers compete on the global stage.

Fielding Greats: The Most Athletic Players Today

When ranking the best cricketers in the world, their fielding abilities are just as important as their batting and bowling. The most athletic players today demonstrate exceptional skill, speed, and hand-eye coordination on the field.

Quickness and Agility

The top fielders possess natural athleticism that allows them to chase down balls and cut off boundaries. Players like Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, and Steve Smith are renowned for their swiftness and agility, regularly making difficult catches and saving their teams extra runs. Their speed and ability to change direction quickly set them apart.

Safe Hands

Exceptional fielders are distinguished by their reliable and consistent catching. Players such as Ravindra Jadeja, Kieron Pollard, and David Warner are known for having “safe hands,” rarely dropping catches or fumbling balls. They make difficult catches, especially close to the boundary, look easy due to their composure and technical catching skill. Their teammates have confidence in their ability to take catches, which builds team morale and momentum.

Throwing Power and Accuracy

The top fielders have powerful and precise throwing arms, enabling them to run out batsmen from the boundary and restrict runs by achieving direct hits. Players like Glenn Maxwell, Jonty Rhodes, and Suresh Raina are renowned for their fast, flat throws that rarely miss the target. They can turn matches with their accurate throws, demonstrating the importance of a strong and precise throwing arm for a fielder.

The most athletic cricketers today combine multiple fielding attributes—speed, agility, safe hands, a strong arm, and pinpoint accuracy. They save their teams runs through their efforts in the field, which is why fielding ability is such an important factor when determining the best players in the world. Exceptional fielding can be a game-changer, and the top players recognize its significance in achieving victory.

All-Rounders Who Can Do It All

Ben Stokes (England)

The 2019 ICC Cricketer of the Year, Ben Stokes is considered by many to be one of the finest all-rounders of his generation. A left-handed batsman and right-arm fast bowler, Stokes provides much-needed balance to the English team with his ability to take wickets and score runs at crucial moments. Known for thriving under pressure, Stokes has played a key role in several of England’s victories in recent years, including the 2019 Cricket World Cup final and the third Ashes test match at Headingley in 2019.

Ravindra Jadeja (India)

A left-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox bowler, Ravindra Jadeja is a vital cog in the Indian cricket team. Renowned for his quick fielding, accurate bowling and lusty lower-order batting, Jadeja provides balance and depth to the Indian side across all three facets of the game. Particularly dangerous on spin-friendly Indian pitches, Jadeja uses his flat trajectory and natural variation to outfox opposition batsmen. With both bat and ball, he has the ability to change the course of a match in a matter of overs.

Shakib Al Hasan (Bangladesh)

The top-ranked all-rounder in ODI cricket, Shakib Al Hasan is a talismanic figure for Bangladesh. A left-handed batsman and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, Shakib has been instrumental to Bangladesh's success in recent years with his match-winning performances across formats. Renowned for his consistency, Shakib provides Bangladesh with solidarity in both batting and bowling through his all-round skills, level-headed temperament and wealth of experience. Often considered Bangladesh's greatest ever cricketer, Shakib continues to inspire generations of young Bangladeshi cricketers with his passion and skill.

To summarize, these world-class all-rounders utilize their dual skills with both bat and ball to provide crucial balance, game-changing performances and inspire their teams to greater heights. Their consistent all-round excellence and ability to thrive under pressure elevate them to the highest echelons of cricket.

Cricketing Legends: Players Who Will Go Down in History

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli, the captain of the Indian cricket team, is considered by many to be one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Known for his aggressive and passionate style of play, Kohli has already shattered numerous records in his illustrious career. With 70 international centuries to his name across all formats, Kohli seems destined to be an all-time great. His fitness, fielding, and captaincy have also drawn praise and helped elevate the Indian team to new heights.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith is an Australian cricketer widely regarded as one of the best batsmen in the modern era. His unconventional technique and ability to score runs in all conditions have earned him a reputation as a formidable opponent. Despite missing over a year of cricket due to suspension, Smith returned to the game in 2019 and picked up right where he left off, further cementing his status. With age still on his side, Smith should have many more records in his sights before retiring.

Jos Buttler

Jos Buttler is an English cricketer known for his aggressive batting style and wicketkeeping. Buttler has gained fame in particular for his skills in the shorter formats of cricket, especially the Indian Premier League. His hand-eye coordination and improvisation make him a dangerous player, capable of scoring runs all around the wicket. Buttler’s form in ODIs and T20s make him a key part of England’s future and a player who may ultimately go down among the all-time greats, especially if he can translate that success to Test cricket.

In conclusion, Kohli, Smith and Buttler have already demonstrated their world-class abilities and seem poised to cement their legacies as some of the greatest cricketers of all time. Of course, their continued performance and team success will ultimately determine their places in history. But one thing is for sure: these players have changed the game and inspired future generations.

Conclusion

As you've seen from this ranking, 2023 promises to be an exciting year for cricket with so many talented players at the top of their game. While Kohli and Smith continue to dominate, newcomers like Babar Azam and Rishabh Pant are poised to reach new heights. The sport is evolving, records will be broken, and history will be made. No matter which player or team you support, one thing is certain - cricket fans around the world will be treated to many memorable moments in the year ahead. The future of cricket looks bright.