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JG
Cricket Biography

Joel Garner

Barbadian · Born 1952

West IndiesBig BirdYorker Master
Fast Bowler
58
tests
259
wickets
20.97
average

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Big Bird — the most destructive yorker bowler in cricket history, whose 6ft 8in frame allowed him to generate bounce and pace that terrified batsmen across two decades.

Joel Garner, known as "Big Bird" for his extraordinary 6ft 8in frame, was one of the most destructive fast bowlers of the late 1970s and 1980s. His ability to deliver a back-of-a-length delivery that reared at uncomfortable heights made him almost unplayable. His 58 Test wickets in 58 matches at 20.97 represent one of the finest averages among fast bowlers with significant match totals.

His combined World Cup Final performance — winning both 1975 and 1979 — made him arguably the most valuable bowler in limited-overs cricket history at that point.

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Career Honours

  • World Cup 1975 1979
  • 58 Tests, 259 wickets, average 20.97