England, known as the birthplace of cricket, has created many outstanding cricketers throughout history.
From pioneers such as Jack Hobbs and W.C. Grace to present-day stars like James Anderson and Stuart Broad, England continues to produce top cricket talent. Choosing the greatest players ever is difficult, but we’ve taken on the challenge.
We highlight the top 10 English cricketers of all time after careful consideration.
10. Joe Root (2012 – Present)
James Anderson has been a strong part of English cricket for more than 20 years. He has taken 460 wickets in 179 test matches, making him the most successful fast bowler ever. His skill and experience still make a big difference in matches today.
8. Sir Alastair Cook (2006-2018)
Sir Alastair Cook, a great figure in English cricket, set many records. He played the most test matches (161) for England, scored the most centuries (33), and made the most runs (12,472). When he retired in 2018, it marked the end of a significant cricketing era, confirming his place as one of the best batsmen ever.
7. Kevin Pietersen (2005-2014)
Kevin Pietersen became very famous in England, not just for cricket. He played a big role in the 2005 Ashes series and scored 8,181 runs in Test matches with an average of 47.28. He made a lasting impact on English cricket during his career that lasted for about ten years.
6. Sir Ian Botham (1977-1992)
Sir Ian Botham transformed English cricket with his amazing performances, especially during the 1981 Ashes series, which is now famous as ‘Botham’s Ashes’. His influence went beyond that series. He scored 5,200 runs and took 383 wickets in 102 test matches, shaping a significant period in English cricket history.
5. Peter May (1951-1961)
Peter May, who is in the ICC Hall of Fame, showed how well English batsmen could play after World War II. He scored 4,537 runs in 66 test matches, averaging 46.77 runs per match. Known for his polite behavior and fair play, he became a role model for English cricket during the 1950s and early 1960s.
ALSO READ: Sir Leonard Hutton, a famous English cricketer, scored 6,971 runs in 79 test matches. Even though World War II caused breaks in his career, his talent and determination made him one of England’s greatest cricketers. Wally Hammond’s cricket career, despite being affected by World War II, showed his talent as one of England’s best batsmen. He scored 7,492 runs in Test matches, averaging 58.45. His famous triple-century against New Zealand in 1933 made him a highly respected player in cricket history. Jack Hobbs, a top English batsman, scored 61,760 runs and 199 centuries in first-class cricket. He’s celebrated as a Surrey legend and one of cricket’s best ever. At 46, he became cricket’s oldest centurion, showing his lasting talent and strength. W.G. Grace played cricket in England for 44 seasons. He scored 54,211 runs and took 2,809 wickets in first-class matches. He also hit 124 centuries. Although there was some debate about the types of matches he played, his influence on English cricket is unmatched, making him a true cricketing legend. Here’s an updated table of the top 10 English cricketers of all time: READ MORE: 
3. Wally Hammond (1927-1947)
2. Jack Hobbs (1908-1930)
1. W.G. Grace (1865-1908)
Rank Player Matches Innings Runs Average Strike Rate 50s 100s Highest Score Wickets Bowling Average Best Bowling Catches Stumpings 10 Joe Root 134 247 11,129 50.08 55.17 55 29 254 – – – 164 – 9 James Anderson 179 104 1,282 9.23 39.11 – – 81 690 26.42 7/42 99 – 8 Sir Alastair Cook 161 291 12,472 45.35 46.95 57 33 294 – – – 175 – 7 Kevin Pietersen 104 181 8,181 47.28 61.72 35 23 227 – – – 84 – 6 Sir Ian Botham 102 161 5,200 33.54 60.71 18 14 208 383 28.40 8/34 120 – 5 Peter May 66 97 4,537 46.77 42.53 22 13 285 – – – 35 – 4 Sir Leonard Hutton 79 138 6,971 56.67 40.53 23 19 364 – – – 42 – 3 Wally Hammond 85 140 7,249 58.45 37.81 22 22 336* 83 37.80 5/36 110 – 2 Jack Hobbs 61 102 5,410 56.95 33.20 15 12 211 – – – 48 – 1 W.G. Grace – – 54,211 – – 124 – – 2,809 – – – –
