7 Cricket Superstars and Their Legacies 

Around the world, 2.5 billion fans follow the sport through different cricket leagues. In fact, it is the second most popular sport, following football/soccer. Perhaps its long history has contributed to its global success in the present time. While the game is widely played in India, it has also gained traction in other parts of the globe. 

The sport’s enthusiastic fans celebrate many notable professional cricket players. They have contributed to the resounding success of sports globally and have drawn in more spectators to the sports. To know more about these cricket superstars and their legacies, here’s a list you can refer to. 

Sir Don Bradman

Sir Don Bradman is a renowned Australian cricketer who has had an illustrious career since his debut on November 30, 1928, until his last test on August 18, 1948. Bradman is also known as The Don, The White Headley, Braddles, and the Boy From Bowral. He is a prolific batsman with a batting average of 95.14 in first-class cricket. Bradman also has a runs record of 28,067 in his 234 first-class matches. 

He was dubbed the “first celebrity” in Australia since he set many records for scoring in Australia. Moreover, he was one of the most remarkable sports icons during the Great Depression until World War II. He was incomparable until Australians hailed Steve Smith as a Bradman incarnate in 2019. 

Avid cricket fans at Betway, among other betting sites and forums, can attest to how Smith came close to Bradman regarding batting average.

Sachin Tendulkar

Born on April 24, 1973, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar was nicknamed the Little Master and the Master Blaster of Indian cricket. He was an iconic batter who made his test debut on November 15, 1989. He took his last test on November 14, 2013. Tendulkar played for domestic teams Mumbai, Yorkshire, East Bengal, and Mumbai Indians. 

He’s been to 200 Test Cricket, 463 One Day International (ODI), 310 first-class cricket, and 551 List A Cricket. His runs record in first-class cricket is 25,396, with a batting average of 57.84. One of his notable contributions to the national team was the 2011 World Cup win. 

Sir Vivian Richards

Also known as Master Blaster, Sir Vivian Richards became one of the most intimidating batsmen in cricket history. The Antiguan cricketer made his test debut on November 22, 1974. His last test was on August 8, 1991. The domestic teams he has played with were Glamorgan, Queensland, Somerset, Leeward Islands, and Combines Islands. 

Richards has a runs record of 36, 212, and 49.50 batting average in first-class cricket. His biggest wins were the 1975 Cricket World Cup and the 1979 Cricket World Cup. He was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009.  

Sir Garfield Sobers

Sir Garfield Sobers was considered the best bowler of his generation. He spent most of his professional career playing for the West Indies from 1954 to 1974. He made his test debut on March 30, 1954, and played his last on April 5, 1974. The domestic teams he has played with were Nottinghamshire, South Australia, and Barbados

He has recorded an impressive batting average of 54.87 and 28,394 runs record in first-class cricket. He was named one of the 11 National Heroes of Barbados and was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in 2009. 

Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram was a former Pakistani cricketer who made his test debut on January 25, 1985, and played his last on January 9, 2002. He was named the “Sultan of Wing,” given his exceptional playing prowess as a bowling all-rounder. 

Akram was the only Pakistani cricketer named in an All-Time Test World XI. His most outstanding achievement as a team captain was when he led his team to the 1999 Cricket World Cup championship game, where they lost to Australia. 

Akram was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame, along with five other new members, on September 30, 2009. On March 23, 2019, he received the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, the second-highest civilian award conferred by the government of Pakistan. 

Muttiah Muralitharan

Also known as Murali, Muttiah Muralithran was a notable Sri Lankan bowler and is now a cricket coach and a member of the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. He made his test debut on August 28, 1992, and played his last on July 18, 2010. 

In his professional career, he recorded an 11.35 batting average and 2,192 runs record in first-class cricket. Murali also notably became part of the Melbourne Renegades and played in the 2012 Big Bash League. 

Ricky Ponting

Born in Tasmania, Australia, Ricky Thomas Ponting became one of the most incredible top-order batters of his time. He made his test debut on December 8, 1995, and played his last on December 3, 2012. He was the current assistant coach of the Delhi Capitals. He has also coached Australia and Mumbai Indians. 

Ponting has earned the title “Cricketer of the Decade 2000.” Additionally, he was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame in July 2018. 

Final Thoughts

The sportsmen we have included on our list are the best cricketers in history. They have proven their competence and authority on the cricket field regardless of the teams they’ve been part of. Their legacies on the game’s evolution and growth have endured as current and aspiring professional cricketers look up to them as the sport’s greatest superstars.