When we talk about Australian cricket, their elegance, aggression, and never say die attitude has always been the talking point.
Australia has dominated the sport for the last 70-80 years, and the kind of all-rounders they have produced after every passing generation always made them a dominating outfit. We take a look at the 10 best Australian all-rounders of all time.
The all-rounders we are about to mention in our piece had always stood firm for any Australian team they were part of when they needed them.
Australian cricket’s domestic system should be given due credit for the kind of all-rounders the team keeps producing.
The cricketers mentioned in our list possessed different skill sets, yet they were the biggest match winners. Some all-rounders were charismatic, and their aggressive game was their biggest strength, while some all-rounders were technically and temperamentally prudent for any given challenge. Some showcased tremendous calmness when it came to facing a challenging situation, yet they emerged as winners for their sides.
10) Shane Watson
The all-rounder had all the traits to be one of the best all-rounders in world cricket, but due to constant run-ins with injuries, Watson’s progress was halted.
The 41-year-old showcased some outstanding performances with his destructive hitting regarding his batting and ability to pick crucial wickets during critical situations.
Watson scored 3731 runs in 59 test matches, registering 4 centuries and 24 half-centuries with the highest score of 176. The Queenslander took 75 wickets with the best bowling figures of 6/33 in his test career.
In 190 ODIs, Watson scored 5757 runs with an average of 40.54, registering nine centuries and 333 half-centuries with a highest score of an unbeaten 185. Watson took 168 wickets with the best bowling figures of 4/36.
9) Shane Warne
The late legendary spinner left everyone shell-shocked after he passed away in March 2022. The 53-year-old was a magician with the ball. Whether it was his leg break, top spin, googly, or fast flipper, he had a lot of variety.
Warne was also a handy batter lower down the order as he played some vital knocks for Australia and his domestic side.
The all-rounder took 1319 runs in 301 first-class games scoring 6919 runs consisting of two centuries. In 145 tests, Warne took 708 wickets, including 37 fifers and 10 ten-wicket hauls, with the best bowling figures of 8/71. He also scored 3154 runs in his test career.
In 194 ODIs, Warne scored 1018 runs, with the highest score of 55. He took 293 wickets in his ODI career, with the best bowling figures of 5/33.
8) Steve Waugh
One of the most disciplined admired, and respected personalities in Australia, Steve Waugh won hearts on and off the field with his friendly, calm nature and, above all, his Charitable work for the poor.
The 57-year-old bowled deceptive right arm medium pace as his line was difficult to judge. When it came to his batting, it was pure class. His batting revolved around timing and elegant placement.
In 356 first-class games for New South Wales, Waugh took 249 wickets and scored 24052 runs. He scored 10927 runs in 168 tests, with the highest score of 200 and an average of 51.06. He scored thirty-two centuries and fifty half-centuries in his test career. The all-rounder took 92 wickets with the best bowling figures of 5/28.
Waugh scored 7569 runs in 325 ODIs with a highest score of an unbeaten 120. Waugh took 195 wickets in his ODI career with best bowling figures of 4/33. As a captain, Steve Waugh’s win percentage was 71.93 % in the 57 tests he captained for Australia. This record will sample his captaincy prowess.
7) Alan Davidson
Alan Davidson is among the best left-handed pacers who bowled with terrific pace and was penetrative with his late swing.
Davidson was a powerful striker of the cricket ball as he batted with a lot of flamboyance and courage. The all-rounder was also an outstanding fielder in all fielding positions.
In 193 first-class games, Davidson scored 6804 runs scoring nine centuries with an average of 32.86, and took 672 wickets. In 44 tests, Davidson scored 1328 runs taking 186 wickets. Davidson couldn’t play enough for Australia due to injury problems.
6) George Giffen
George Giffen showcased excellent technique when he batted and also showcased variety with his medium pace while bowling. He was also a part of the Australian Cricketers Hall of Fame.
Giffen took 1023 wickets in 251 first-class games for South Australia, taking sixteen wickets five times in his domestic career. The all-rounder registered 11758 runs in his domestic career, scoring eighteen centuries.
Giffen made his test debut against England in 1881, scoring 1238 runs and claiming 103 wickets in the 31 tests he played for Australia.
5) Richie Benaud
Richie Benaud was one of the most respected and highly admired figures in Australia and was an inspiration behind many great careers. Benaud was responsible for taking Australian cricket to the top.
Benaud’s classical leg breaks were often difficult to judge alongside his flighted ones. Benaud was a handy batsman lower down the order as he bailed the team out of danger on many occasions. The all-rounder had a successful commentating career after retiring from the sport.
In 259 first-class games for New South Wales, Benaud took 945 wickets, including nine ten-wicket hauls. He scored twenty-three centuries in his first-class career, scoring 11719 runs. Benaud made his test debut against West Indies in 1952. He claimed 248 wickets in his test career, scoring 2201 runs of three centuries.
4) Keith Miller
Keith Miller is another all-rounder who dominated with the bat and the ball. Miller was a complete match-winner on his day, as the burly all-rounder always stood up during demanding situations. Miller was a part of Don Bradman’s ‘Invincibles squad that dominated world cricket.
The charismatic all-rounder showcased attractive technique while batting. He was a pacer but also bowled leg breaks.
Miller played for Victoria in domestic cricket, scoring 14183 runs with an average of 48.90, including 41 centuries claiming 497 wickets. He made his test debut against New Zealand in 1946 in Wellington. In 55 test matches, he scored 2958 runs scoring seven centuries and claiming 170 wickets.
3) Ray Lindwall
Known for his pace and late swing, Lindwall possessed the speed to penetrate the defense of any well-set batsman. The pacer surprised the batters with his bouncers and yorkers. Lindwall’s temperament as a batsman was calm under pressure.
Lindwall took 794 wickets in 228 first-class games scoring 5042 runs. He scored 1502 runs in 61 tests he played, claiming 228 wickets with an average of 23.03. He was included in the Australian Hall of fame in 1996.
2) Monty Noble
Monty Noble would be considered among Australian cricket’s best all-rounders. Noble was known for his length, although he wasn’t a big turner of the ball. Noble was a right-handed batter and bowled off-break. Noble showcased extraordinary calmness while batting.
The all-rounder played for New South Wales, scoring 13975 runs with an average of 40.74, registering thirty-seven centuries and sixty-six half-centuries. He took 624 wickets in his first-class career, claiming seven 10-wicket hauls.
Noble represented Australia in 42 tests scoring 1997 runs with the highest score of 133 and claiming 121 wickets with the best bowling figures of 7/17. Noble was also the skipper of the national team for a short period.
1) Warwick Armstrong
Warwick Armstrong wasn’t technically attractive, but his stroke play was a delight to watch. The burly all-rounder was a right-handed batsman and bowled leg break. The partnership of 120 runs by Australia’s Reggie Doff and Warwick Armstrong against England in 1902 was the first occasion of a hundred-run partnership for the 10th wicket in Test Cricket.
Making his test debut in 1902, Armstrong played for Australia till 1921, playing 50 tests for the national team and leading the side to a 5-0 Ashes win in 1920.
In 269 first-class games, Armstrong scored 16158 runs with an average of 46.83. He took 832 wickets with an average of 19.71. Armstrong scored 2863 runs for Australia and took 87 wickets.
