A yorker is one of the most powerful weapons in a fast bowler’s arsenal. It’s a toe-crushing delivery that lands right at the batsman’s feet, making it almost impossible to hit. Only a few elite bowlers have truly mastered this art. In this article, we celebrate the Top Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket world, who terrified batters and won matches with their deadly precision.
Let’s count down the greatest yorker specialists in cricket history.
List of Top 10 Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket
10. Shaun Tait
Shaun Tait’s explosive pace was both his greatest strength and challenge. Known for delivering balls at 150-155 km/h, Tait had the ability to bowl some of the fiercest yorkers in cricket. Though his career was limited by injuries, he left a lasting impression with his raw pace and accuracy.
He often bowled at the death in limited-overs cricket and stunned batters with toe-crushing yorkers that were nearly impossible to play. Despite a short international stint, his high-speed yorkers earned him a spot among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Shaun Tait | 3 / 35 / 21 | 5 / 62 / 28 |
9. Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc has become one of the most feared fast bowlers in the modern era. His tall frame, left-arm angle, and ability to swing the ball make his yorkers even more dangerous. Starc often bowls with fiery pace, making his deliveries unplayable at the death.
He has consistently delivered in ICC tournaments, especially in the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. His sharp, swinging yorkers have dismantled top batting orders, solidifying his place among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | 100 / 127 / 65 | 402 / 244 / 79 |
8. Andrew Flintoff
Andrew Flintoff was known for his big-match temperament, strong physique, and ability to deliver when it mattered most. While his all-round abilities made headlines, his skill with yorkers, especially under pressure, was underrated.
He often bowled tight spells, and his pinpoint yorkers helped England win key battles in the early 2000s. Flintoff’s versatility and reliability earn him a place among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Flintoff | 79 / 141 / 7 | 226 / 169 / 5 |
7. Brett Lee
Brett Lee, known for his blistering speed and aggressive bowling, regularly delivered thunderous yorkers. His deliveries not only rattled stumps but also intimidated batters. Lee’s ability to bowl fast yorkers with late movement made him a dangerous option in the death overs.
He consistently delivered match-winning spells for Australia and is remembered as one of the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket, especially during the 2003 and 2007 World Cups.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Brett Lee | 76 / 221 / 25 | 310 / 380 / 28 |
6. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar was not just the fastest bowler ever but also one of the deadliest when it came to yorkers. Bowling at speeds over 160 km/h, his toe-crushing yorkers were lethal, especially in the death overs.
He developed his yorker skills under the guidance of Waqar Younis and delivered memorable spells like 6/11 in Tests and 6/16 in ODIs. His ferocious pace and ability to hit the blockhole place him firmly among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Shoaib Akhtar | 46 / 163 / 15 | 178 / 247 / 19 |
5. Wasim Akram
Wasim Akram is widely regarded as one of the greatest left-arm pacers in cricket. What made his yorkers special was his ability to swing the ball both ways. His control, accuracy, and deceptive pace helped him deliver inch-perfect yorkers under any condition.
Akram’s toe-crushing yorkers in the 1992 World Cup and throughout his career defined his legacy. He set the benchmark for future generations and is rightly considered one of the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | 104 / 356 / 0 | 414 / 502 / 0 |
4. Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah’s rise to stardom is defined by his deadly yorkers. With an unconventional action, laser accuracy, and exceptional calmness, Bumrah has become India’s premier death-over specialist.
Whether it’s ODIs, T20s, or Tests, Bumrah delivers toe-crushers with stunning consistency. His game awareness and adaptability make him one of the most trusted bowlers in pressure situations. Bumrah is easily one of the most admired Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket of the modern generation.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Jasprit Bumrah | 47 / 89 / 70 | 217 / 149 / 89 |
3. Dale Steyn
Dale Steyn’s sharp pace, aggression, and swing made him a force in world cricket. His yorkers, especially late in the innings, were devastating. He could combine speed with seam movement, making life tough for even the best batters.
Steyn used yorkers to clean up top-order and tail-enders alike. One of his iconic moments was dismissing Sachin Tendulkar with a classic yorker. He truly deserves his spot among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Dale Steyn | 93 / 125 / 47 | 439 / 196 / 64 |
2. Waqar Younis
Waqar Younis mastered the art of reverse swing, and with it came some of the deadliest yorkers ever seen in cricket. His low, fast action helped him deliver powerful toe-crushers that shattered stumps regularly.
His dominance in ODIs was unmatched during the 1990s. Even as he aged, Waqar kept delivering consistent yorkers that won games for Pakistan. He is undoubtedly one of the all-time Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Waqar Younis | 87 / 262 / 0 | 373 / 416 / 0 |
1. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga stands alone at the top when it comes to yorker mastery. With his unique round-arm action and pinpoint precision, he delivered unplayable yorkers in all formats. His most unforgettable feat came in the 2007 World Cup 4 wickets in 4 balls.
Malinga’s yorkers were not just about pace but also precision and timing. He was the go-to bowler for Sri Lanka in crunch situations. A true game-changer and a deserving No. 1 among the Legendary Yorker Bowlers in Cricket.
| Player | Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20) | Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20) |
|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 30 / 226 / 84 | 101 / 338 / 107 |
READ MORE:
- Top 10 Most Dangerous Batsmen in Cricket History
- Top 10 Highest Individual Scores in the 2nd Innings of Test Cricket: Unforgettable Records
FAQ
1. Who is the best yorker bowler of all time?
Lasith Malinga is widely regarded as the best yorker bowler due to his accuracy, consistency, and match-winning spells.
2. Why is the yorker considered so effective in cricket?
A yorker is tough to play because it gives the batsman no room to swing the bat, especially during death overs.
3. Can fast bowlers bowl yorkers at will?
Only skilled bowlers with consistent practice and strong control over their line and length can bowl yorkers at will.
4. Which Indian bowler is known for yorkers?
Jasprit Bumrah is India’s top yorker bowler in modern cricket.
5. Are yorkers only used in T20 matches?
No. While popular in T20s, yorkers are used in Tests and ODIs as well to take wickets or control the run rate.