Joel Garner, Cricket Legend
Former West Indies cricketer Joel Garner (born: December 16, 1952 in Barbados), was nicknamed “Big Joel” or “Big Bird”, and was well known for his tall stature. He was one of the game’s dominant bowlers in the later 1970s and early 80s. He made his Test debut in 1977 for the West Indies. He is one of the tallest bowlers to ever play Test cricket and appeared in 58 Tests from 1977 to 1987, taking 259 wickets at an average of nearly above 20 making him one of the most effective bowlers of all time. Garner played for Barbados (1975-1987), Somerset (1977-1986) and South Australia (1982-1983).
Greatest Sporting Achievements
Garner averaged just less than five wickets per Test throughout his career. During the 1979 World Cup Final, he fired in unplayable deliveries relentlessly and took 5 wickets in just 11 overs as England collapsed from 183 runs for 2, to 194 runs all out.
In 1980, he was selected as the Wisden Cricketer of the Year. In 2010, he was named interim manager of the West Indies for the tour of Sri Lanka and became one of the new faces in the team including Darren Sammy.
Why Was He So Good?
Standing 6 feet and 8 inches tall, he was an exceptionally tall fast bowler. He was capable of ripping through the other team’s batting line-ups. He had the ability to unleash a deadly yorker, as well as having the knack to produce more bounce than most other bowlers. He was one of the stingiest bowlers in one-day cricket and his Test record was extraordinary.
What You May Not Know
- During an interview with The Hindu, he mentioned that Wes Hall, his first captain after he finished school, was his inspiration and role model.
- Before Mohammad Irfan in 2010, a Pakistani fast bowler standing 7 feet and 1 inch tall, Garner and Bruce Reid (Australian pace bowler) were the tallest players to play international cricket.
- Joel Garner was nicknamed “Big Bird” after the “Doctor Bird”, the national bird of Jamaica. The bird is Caribbean specie with stilt-like legs.
Related Pages
- More cricket players
- List of Tallest Cricket Players Ever
- Cricket Bowling Tips For Fast Bowlers
- About Cricket
- Athlete Database home
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