25 Cricket Greats Who Would Thrive in the Current Generation
Looking back into cricket’s past, the game is filled with legends from all over the world, who wowed crowds with their prowess on the field.
It is no different now, as players continue to impress with bat, ball or both, and ensure that international cricket remains as competitive as it always was.
However, what if players from the past played today? How would they fare?
The game has changed in some ways, but it remains the same in so many other ways, so perhaps a good number of them would still flourish if they played today.
Let’s take a look at 25 great players, who would certainly enjoy playing in the modern era.
Definitions
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Before we get into the meat of the list, let us first set out some boundaries, in particular our definition of the word “past.”
In this context, to be a past great means to have retired in 2004 or before, therefore meaning players are at the very least a decade removed from international cricket.
Those who retired after that date—Shane Warne and Muttiah Muralitharan, for example—can be said to have been part of this current cricketing generation, when they thrived.
With that in mind, let’s move into our list.
1. Don Bradman
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It would be impossible to compile a list of greats who would surely thrive today without talking about the incomparable Australian Don Bradman.
His average of 99.94 on his retirement from Tests is one that will surely never be exceeded by anyone, and it speaks of a simply brilliant batsman.
In his prime, Bradman would surely be able to cope with whatever the bowlers of today could throw at him.
2. Denis Compton
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The first cricketer to make use of himself as a marketing tool, Denis Compton would surely thrive in today's environment, where players have so many responsibilities off the field.
On the field, he was also a very elegant batsman who could destroy any bowling attack and show there was more to him than simply good looks and charm.
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3. Kapil Dev
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India’s greatest all-rounder Kapil Dev would definitely have found a role for himself if he were playing in the modern era.
His aggressive batting, accurate bowling and leadership skills would have been invaluable in Twenty20 cricket, especially the IPL in his home country.
4. Ian Botham
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Another all-rounder who would surely have been superb in T20 is Ian Botham, who was an explosive performer for England in all forms of the game.
He could be relied upon for quick runs and superb bowling and would surely be a superstar if he played today.
5. Richard Hadlee
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The ultimate accurate fast bowler, Richard Hadlee’s mastery of the ball and its movement would definitely be in demand today in international cricket.
An unerring ability to hit the top of off stump translates well to any era—and any format—of the game.
6. Courtney Walsh
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Another accurate and consistent fast bowler, Courtney Walsh showed toward the end of his career that he was still capable of causing batsmen problems.
In his pomp, he would surely dominate if he were to be playing today.
7. Curtly Ambrose
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Walsh’s partner in crime, Curtly Ambrose, would also find himself in demand in the modern era.
His mastery of the “corridor of uncertainty” was almost unparalleled and would definitely be relevant in the modern game.
8. Malcolm Marshall
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Able to take wickets on any surface, Malcolm Marshall would surely be just as effective on the dead surfaces of the Asian subcontinent as he was in the 1980s.
A clever bowler, Marshall would surely have fancied his chances against any batsman.
9. Walter Hammond
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The great English batsman Walter Hammond is another who may well have flourished in the modern era, with an array of shots that were almost unrivalled anywhere in the world.
Coupled with a ferocious desire to win at all costs, Hammond would surely be a prized member of any team if he were to be playing today.
10. Imran Khan
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The man who helped make Pakistan a world superpower, Imran Khan’s abilities with bat, ball and leadership during his career were key.
They would certainly be enhanced by the addition of Khan at his peak.
11. Barry Richards
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A man denied a Test career by South Africa’s sporting exile, Barry Richards showed in his brief time that he could have been a great player.
In the modern game, he would surely have been just as effective.
12. Graeme Pollock
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Another South African, Graeme Pollock, was equally as destructive and talented with the bat and could very well flourish in the modern game.
One of the Proteas’ greatest ever, the left-hander would almost certainly be a valuable asset both for club teams and his country.
13. Mike Proctor
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Mike Proctor was one of the finest seam bowlers on the circuit until his international career was cut short by South Africa’s ban from the game.
If he were to be playing today, his accuracy and pace would both be valuable assets for any team.
14. Dennis Lillee
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Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee would definitely have fit in to the modern game, with his intelligence with the ball and uncompromising attitude.
Even when injuries took their toll, he showed the ability to change his approach as a bowler, and that would serve him well in the modern game.
15. Jeff Thomson
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His strike partner, Jeff Thomson, would also be especially effective in the modern game, particularly in Twenty20.
In his pomp, with his thunderbolts touching 100 mph, Thomson would be a very tough prospect in the shortest form.
16. Gordon Greenidge
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Flamboyant opener Gordon Greenidge destroyed Test and ODI attacks and surely would do the same in Twenty20.
Never one to shy away from taking the attack to bowlers, he would be a brilliant spearhead with which to open a side’s innings today.
17. Viv Richards
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Another flamboyant West Indian batsman, Viv Richards at No. 3 was a demoralising player to bowl to and could demolish any bowling attack.
Imagine the destruction he could wreak in Twenty20 cricket, with even more license to take an aggressive approach.
18. Steve Waugh
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Right on the cusp of our boundary is former Australia captain Steve Waugh, a gritty and determined individual who loved nothing more than grinding sides into the ground.
That determination coupled with an uncompromising batting technique would still translate well in the present day.
19. Sunil Gavaskar
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Indian opener Sunil Gavaskar was a superstar for his country, and he would surely be just as popular as a player if he were on the field now.
Perhaps his style might not translate to the shortest form, but certainly in Tests, the stability he provided would be critical.
20. Garry Sobers
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West Indies all-rounder Garry Sobers was perhaps the greatest cricketer of his generation and would surely flourish in the modern game.
Worth his place as a batsman or bowler alone, Sobers also placed a high importance on his fielding, showing how forward-thinking he was as a cricketer.
21. Lance Gibbs
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With West Indian pitches now very conducive to spin bowlers, their greatest spinner Lance Gibbs would surely profit like Sunil Narine does now.
He helped make the West Indies great during his career, and he would be capable of causing problems to any of the top players against spin in the modern game.
22. Clive Lloyd
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A strong leader and superb batsman, Clive Lloyd would be the ideal man to lead a side in the modern game.
With a brilliant appreciation of how strategies must be altered, depending on the match situation, he would be perfect to lead in Twenty20.
23. Michael Holding
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One of the most terrifying fast bowlers of all time, Michael Holding was silent in his approach to the crease but explosive in his delivery stride.
That incredible ability to intimidate without physical force would be highly effective in the modern game.
24. David Gower
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An elegant batsman who always looked at ease at the crease, England left-hander David Gower would certainly find a place for himself in the modern game.
He may have been infuriating at times with his laid-back nature, but Gower was a batsman capable of snatching the momentum for his side.
25. Joel Garner
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With his steepling bouncers and toe-crushing yorkers, Joel Garner was seemingly tailor-made for Twenty20 cricket.
The 6’8” fast bowler found plenty of joy in Tests and ODIs and would surely be just as effective today, especially because of his tremendous height and pace.
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