One of the best tools for a fast bowler is the yorker. A bowler delivers a yorker right at the batsman’s toes. The goal is to make it hard for the batsman to hit the ball well. This is especially useful in the final overs of a match when batsmen are trying to score big runs with every ball.
In this article, we will look at the 10 Best Yorkers in Cricket History.
1. Lasith Malinga
Lasith Malinga, known for his distinctive round-arm bowling style, gained fame for his ability to bowl yorkers with deadly precision. His yorker bowling, especially in crucial moments, often helped Sri Lanka win matches.
One of his most memorable feats was taking four wickets with four balls against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup. Malinga’s skill with yorkers made him one of the best at this technique in cricket history, leaving a lasting legacy throughout his impressive career.
| Name | Lasith Malinga |
| Date of Birth | 28 August 1983 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Cricketing Career (National Team) | 2004-2020 |
| Nationality | Sri Lanka |
| Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20I) | 30/226/84 |
| Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20I) | 101/338/107 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/50 (Test Cricket)6/38 (ODI Cricket)⅚ (T20I Cricket) |
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2. Waqar Younis
The Pakistani fast bowler was famous for his amazing skills and became well-known for his strong performances. He impressed opponents with his fast bowling and excellent control over out-swinging yorkers.
His precise yorkers made it hard for the other team to play, as they had to work hard to defend their wickets. With his dangerous yorkers, Waqar was crucial in many of Pakistan’s victories and deservedly earned a spot in the Hall of Fame.
| Name | Waqar Younis |
| Date of Birth | 16 November 1971 |
| Age | 50 years |
| Cricketing Career (National Team) | 1989-2003 |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Matches Played (Test/ODI) | 87/262 |
| Wickets Taken (Test/ODI) | 373/416 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 7/76 (Test Cricket)7/36 (ODI Cricket) |
3. Shoaib Akhtar
Shoaib Akhtar, a former fast bowler from Pakistan, earned high admiration in cricket. His incredible speed earned him the nickname “Rawalpindi Express,” making batsmen around the world nervous.
Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket, at 161.3 km/h. This shows how dangerous his yorkers were.
He learned from Waqar Younis and became a great yorker specialist. His best bowling figures in Test matches were 6/11 and in ODIs, they were 6/16. Shoaib Akhtar is considered one of the best yorker bowlers ever because of this.
| Name | Shoaib Akhtar |
| Date of Birth | 13 August 1975 |
| Age | 46 years |
| Cricketing Career (National Team) | 1997-2011 |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Matches Played (Test/ODI/T20I) | 46/163/15 |
| Wickets Taken (Test/ODI/T20I) | 178/247/19 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 6/11 (Test Cricket)6/16 (ODI Cricket)3/38 (T20I Cricket) |
4. Dale Steyn
He’s from South Africa and was a top cricketer for the South African team. The bowler took 439 Test wickets in just 93 matches, showing his skill.
A key moment in Steyn’s career was an ODI game where he kept bowling yorkers to dismiss the great Sachin Tendulkar. This highlighted Steyn’s excellent skills and his ability to bowl yorkers accurately under pressure.
Dale Steyn swung the ball both ways, making his yorkers even more dangerous. However, injuries eventually took their toll, and he hasn’t played international cricket since 2020.
| Name | Dale Steyn |
| Date of Birth | 27 June 1983 |
| Age | 38 years |
| Cricketing Career (National Team) | 2004-2020 |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| Matches Played (Test/ODI) | 93/125/47 |
| Wickets Taken (Test/ODI) | 439/196/64 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 7/51 (Test Cricket)6/39 (ODI Cricket)4/9 (T20I Cricket) |
5. Wasim Akram
Famous Pakistani cricketer Wasim Akram is known for his exceptional fast bowling and excellent use of the Yorker delivery. His Yorkers were impressive, combining speed, spin, and pinpoint accuracy.
Akram’s ability to swing the ball in different directions made it very difficult for batsmen to predict where his deliveries would go.
| Name | Wasim Akram |
| Date of Birth | 3 June 1966 |
| Age | 55 years |
| Cricketing Career (National Team) | 1984-2003 |
| Nationality | Pakistan |
| Matches Played (Test/ODI) | 104/356 |
| Wickets Taken (Test/ODI) | 414/502 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 7/119 (Test Cricket)5/15 (ODI Cricket) |
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