Top 10 New Zealand cricketers of all time

When you think about the perennial under-achievers in world cricket, the first name that comes into your mind is New Zealand. The team has reached the semi-finals of the Cricket World Cup seven times, losing six which is the most number of losses faced by any team.

The only piece of ICC silverware that has been won by New Zealand is the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000. Despite not winning any World Cups in cricket, the fact stays that New Zealand is one of the most powerful cricketing nations in the world.

Over the years, a number of brilliant cricketers have been produced by this country, many of whom have been regarded amongst the all-time greats of the sport. Let’s take a look at the greatest New Zealand cricketers of all time.

Honorable Mentions: Martin Guptill, John Wright, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan

#10. Shane Bond

Had it not been for injuries, we would have seen this player much higher on this list. Shane Bond established himself as one of the most lethal fast bowlers of the early 2000s after impressing in his maiden ODI series where he took 21 wickets from 9 matches.

During the 2003 World Cup, Bond produced one of the finest spells in World Cup history by taking 6/23 in a Super Six game against Australia at Port Elizabeth. Bond missed more than two years of international cricket due to back injuries but he came back strongly with his career-best figures of 6/19 against India at Bulawayo in 2005.

Known for his pace and accuracy, Bond was someone for whom bowling at speeds of 145-150 kmph was just a routine thing. Despite his injury concerns, the pacer managed to play for the Kiwis until the 2010 World Twenty20 following which, he announced his retirement from cricket.

Shane Bond ended his Test career with 87 wickets from 18 matches at an average of 22.09 with 6/51 against Zimbabwe in 2005 being his best bowling figures. However, it is the ODI where Bond excelled more with 147 wickets from 82 matches at an impressive average of 20.88. He also played 20 T20s from which he took 25 wickets at an average of 21.72 and at an economy rate of 7. Bond is undoubtedly considered to be the greatest fast bowler from New Zealand after a certain player who we will be reading about later in this slideshow.

#9. Chris Cairns

Chris Cairns helped New Zealand lift the 2000 Champions Trophy

The son of former New Zealand cricketer Lance Cairns, Chris Cairns showed us one of the rare occasions when the son of a noted cricketer excelled his father. Cairns made his debut for New Zealand in 1989 and soon became a regular in the team.

Cairns established himself as one of the finest all-rounders during the 1990s with his destructive middle-order batting and clever fast bowling. In 2004, he became the then highest six-hitter in Test cricket with 87 sixes before being surpassed by Adam Gilchrist.

The all-rounder helped New Zealand to many important wins but his most remembered performance with the national team will always be his century against India in the final of the 2000 Champions Trophy at Nairobi which gave New Zealand their only ICC silverware till date. Cairns retired from Tests in 2004 with 3322 runs comprising 22 fifties and 5 hundreds with 158 from 172 balls against South Africa being his highest score in Test cricket.

Cairns took 218 wickets with the ball with 13 five-wicket hauls to his name, the third most by a New Zealand bowler.

In ODIs, Cairns retired in 2006 with 4950 runs that included 26 fifties and 4 hundreds, three of them against India. With the ball, he took 201 wickets with only one five-wicket haul to his name- 5/42 against Australia in 1998.

#8. Ross Taylor

Ross Taylor is the 3rd highest run-scorer for New Zealand in Tests and ODIs

In a career which has lasted 11 years and counting, Ross Taylor has established himself as one of New Zealand’s greatest players ever, and one of the finest batsmen in the world at present. Ever since his debut in 2006, Taylor has become one of New Zealand’s talismanic figures in the team.

One of the neatest hitters of the ball ever, Taylor is an extremely versatile batsman who can smash the big shots but at the same time, also takes calculated risk which helps him play long innings. Taylor is New Zealand’s 3rd highest run-getter in both Tests and ODIs with 6030 Test runs at an average of 47.10 and 6144 ODI runs at 43.57.

Taylor has the second most number of centuries for New Zealand in Tests with 16 to his name. His mammoth 290 against Australia last year is his highest score in the format. Taylor has scored the most number of centuries by a New Zealand batsman in ODIs- 17, which is also the 16th highest overall.

The former Kiwi skipper has also played 73 T20Is, scoring 1256 runs with 5 fifties to his name. He is also a pretty good fielder with 123 Test catches, 115 ODI catches, and 42 T20I catches, tying him with AB de Villiers for the most number of catches taken by a fielder in T20Is.

Provided Taylor can manage to play for another 2-3 years, we might see him top the batting charts for New Zealand in both Tests and ODIs for some time.

#7. Kane Williamson

The current Kiwi skipper is one of the best cricketers in the world right now

One of the best batsmen today, Kane Williamson has done more than enough so far to justify himself as one of New Zealand’s finest cricketers of all-time. Two years after leading New Zealand to the semi-finals of the 2008 U-19 World Cup in Malaysia, Kane Williamson was called up to the senior team and scored 0 in his first two ODIs against Sri Lanka and India.

However, he redeemed himself by scoring a century in his fourth ODI innings against Bangladesh thus becoming the youngest centurion from New Zealand. He then cemented his place in the national team after scoring 131 on his Test debut against India.

In the years that followed, Williamson established himself as one of the leading batsmen of the sport and New Zealand’s talisman.

Currently the skipper of New Zealand, Williamson has 5116 Test runs (6th highest for New Zealand) at an average of 51.16 with 25 half-centuries and 17 centuries (joint highest for New Zealand) with 242 against Sri Lanka at Wellington being his highest Test score. In ODIs, Williamson has 4605 runs 9th highest for New Zealand) at an average of 46.98 with 31 fifties and 9 hundreds.

In T20Is, Williamson has 1125 runs to his name (4th highest for New Zealand) at an average of 36.29 with 7 fifties.

Williamson has occasionally proven himself as a pretty handy part-time bowler on many occasions with 29 Test wickets and 33 ODI wickets. With a good 8-10 years still left, if Williamson continues his present form and maintains his fitness, then he can easily be New Zealand’s all-time highest run scorer across all formats.

#6. Glenn Turner

Glenn Turner was the highest run-scorer at the inaugural Cricket World Cup

One of New Zealand’s most prolific batsmen of all-time, Glenn Turner was one of the finest and most reliable batsmen during his playing days. The former Kiwi skipper had a fruitful first-class career with 34,346 runs comprising 148 fifties and 103 centuries.

Turner also had a pretty impressive international career with 2991 Test runs from 41 Tests at an average of 44.64 with 14 fifties and 7 hundreds to his name, 259 being his highest score. Turner played only 41 ODIs, scoring 1598 runs at an impressive average of 47 with 9 fifties and 3 centuries to his name.

Turner’s highest ODI score of 171 not out is the longest innings in ODI history in terms of number of balls faced (201). This innings came against East Africa at the 1975 World Cup where he was the highest run-scorer with 333 runs as New Zealand reached the semi-finals.

#5. Brendon McCullum

Brendon McCullum holds the record for the fastest Test century

It will come as a shock to many that one of the most destructive and prolific batsmen of all-time Brendn McCullum is only 5th on the list but that’s just how good the top four are. A highly aggressive batsman with a knack to his sixes, McCullum made his debut in 2002 before establishing himself as a regular for the team and one of the best keeper-batsmen of his generation.

McCullum went on to play for the Kiwis for 14 years, helping them to their maiden World Cup final in 2015 where he played several crucial quick innings for them. McCullum retired like a true lion in the best possible manner by scoring the fastest Test century off 54 balls, thus bettering the previous record of 55 balls held by Viv Richards and Adam Gilchrist.

McCullum ended his Test career with 6453 runs, the second most for New Zealand. McCullum smashed 31 fifties and 12 hundreds at an average of 38.64 with a mammoth 302 against India at Wellington being his highest Test score. McCullum is New Zealand’s fourth highest run-scorer in ODIs with 6083 runs at an average of 30.41 and an impressive strike rate of 96.37, 166 being his highest score.

Baz is currently the highest run-scorer in T20Is with 2140 runs at an average of 35.66 and a strike rate of 136.21 with 13 fifties and two hundreds to his name. A knock of 123 against Bangladesh at the 2012 ICC World T20 is his highest T20I score.

McCullum has taken the second most number of dismissals for the Kiwis in Test cricket at 179 (168 catches, 11 stumpings) behind Adam Parore’s 201 dismissals. The all-rounder is 6th amongst most dismissals by a keeper in ODIs with 242 dismissals (227 catches, 15 stumpings). He also has 32 dismissals to his name in T20Is (24 catches, 8 stumpings)

#4. Martin Crowe

Martin Crowe is one of the greatest batsmen New Zealand ever had

From his elegant batting to his captaincy, Martin Crowe is one of the most innovative people to have ever played cricket. Crowe was one of the most lethal batsmen during his playing days and was well-known for his immaculate footwork which more than often made even the most difficult of shots look incredibly easy.

By the time Crowe retired from international cricket in 1995, he was the highest run scorer for New Zealand in both Tests and ODIs. In Tests, Crowe notched up 5444 runs (4th highest for the Black Caps) at an average of 45.36 that comprised of 18 fifties and 17 hundreds (joint highest for New Zealand) with his incredible match-saving knock of 299 against Sri Lanka at Wellington being his highest score in the format.

In ODIs, Crowe nearly led New Zealand to a World Cup win in 1992 where the Kiwis reached the semi-finals only to be surprisingly beaten by eventual winners Pakistan. Crowe ended the tournament as the top run-getter and its best player.

He ended his ODI career with 4704 runs (8th highest for New Zealand) at an average of 38.55 with 34 fifties and four hundreds. As a captain, Martin Crowe was well known for deploying some out-of-the-box tactics which are commonly used today including opening the bowling with a spinner (Dipak Patel during the 1992 World Cup). He often used to rotate his bowling and field settings which on many occasions, pressurized the opposition batting.

New Zealand cricket lost this loyal and wonderful servant last March due to cancer.

#3. Stephen Fleming

Stephen Fleming is New Zealand's highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs

New Zealand’s greatest batsman ever takes up the third spot on this list. After impressing on his Test debut (where he won the Man of the Match award), Fleming became one of New Zealand’s most key cogs. He became New Zealand’s youngest skipper ever at 23 years and 321 days, replacing Lee Germon in 1997.

Fleming led New Zealand to their only ICC silverware at the ICC Champions Trophy in 2000 and captained the Kiwis until his retirement from ODI cricket following the 2007 World Cup. He is New Zealand’s most successful captain and is widely regarded to be one of the greatest captains of all-time.

The RPS coach’s timing and footwork enabled him to play every shot elegantly but the shots of his which will be most remembered will definitely be his straight drive and cover drive. The left-hander is New Zealand’s highest run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, with 7172 Test runs (46 fifties and 9 hundreds) at 40.06 and 8037 ODI runs (49 fifties and 8 hundreds) at 32.40.

He also played 5 T20Is, leading the Black Caps to victory in the first ever T20I. Fleming was also a brilliant slip fielder with 171 Test catches (6th highest for a fielder) and 133 ODI catches (5th highest for a fielder).

#2. Daniel Vettori

Daniel Vettori is the greatest spinner New Zealand ever had

One of the greatest all-rounders this sport has ever seen, Daniel Vettori has sure established himself amongst the sport’s all-time greats during his 18-year long international career which he began in 1997. Known for his slow left-arm spin, Vettori was a nightmare for even the mightiest of batsmen.

Dan took 362 Test wickets from 112 Tests including 20 five-wicket hauls which is the second most for a New Zealand bowler and a left-arm spinner. In ODIs, Vettori is New Zealand’s leading wicket-taker and has more wickets than any left-arm spinner with 305 wickets from 295 matches that includes two five-wicket hauls with a spell of 5/7 against Bangladesh being his best bowling figures.

Vettori was a pretty useful batsman as well who could come up with crucial runs in the middle and lower order. The former RCB and DD player is the 8th highest run-scorer for New Zealand in Test cricket with 4523 runs at an average of 30.15, scoring 23 fifties and 6 hundreds. Vettori is amongst only eight players who have attained the feat of scoring more than 3000 runs and taking more than 300 wickets in Test cricket.

He is also amongst only three players who have scored more than 4000 runs and have taken more than 300 wickets in Tests, the other two being Kapil Dev and Sir Ian Botham.

In ODIs, Vettori scored 2253 runs that included just four fifties with 83 against Australia at Christchurch being his highest ODI score. The left-armer led New Zealand from 2007-2011 where he helped them to the semi-finals of the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 World Cup (which was totally unexpected). Vettori will always be remembered as one of the best New Zealand cricketers ever.

#1. Sir Richard Hadlee

Sir Richard Hadlee is undoubtedly the greatest cricketer New Zealand ever produced

One of the greatest bowlers and all-rounders to have ever graced a cricket pitch, Richard Hadlee accomplished a lot throughout his glittering 17-year old career. Hadlee’s bowling was initially known for its extreme pace which made him one of the most lethal fast bowlers of his time. However, he later focused on maintaining accurate line and length rather than immense speed and he was still a batsman’s nightmare.

In 86 Tests, Hadlee took 431 wickets, the highest at the time with 36 five-wicket hauls, the most by any fast-bowler and the third most overall. A monumental spell of 9/52 against Australia at Brisbane in 1985 is Hadlee’s best bowling figures in Tests which is also 6th amongst best spells in Test cricket history.

In ODIs, Paddles took 158 wickets including 5 five-fors with 5/25 against Sri Lanka at the 1983 World Cup being his best spell in ODIs. Hadlee ended his cricketing career on a massive high by taking a five-wicket haul in his final match, a Test against England at Edgbaston where he also took a wicket off his final delivery.

Sir Richard was a pretty aggressive lower middle-order batsmen who more than often took New Zealand to competitive totals with his brilliant batting. In Tests, Hadlee scored 3124 runs that comprises of 15 fifties and two centuries with an unbeaten 151 against Sri Lanka at Colombo in 1987 being his highest Test score.

In ODIs, Hadlee scored 1751 runs that included four fifties with a 64-ball 79 against England at Adelaide in 1983 being his best score in ODIs. Hadlee had a pretty impressive strike-rate of 75.50 which at that time was the same as having a strike rate of 110-120 at present.

Truly, one of the greatest cricketers of all-time and New Zealand’s greatest cricketer ever.