Joel Garner - Definition and Overview

Joel Garner (born December 16, 1952) also known as "Big Joel" or "Big Bird", was a fearsome sight in the highly regarded late 70's and early 80's West Indies cricket sides. He was a popular 6'8" (2.03 m) fast bowler capable of ripping through the heart of opposing batting line-ups. In conjunction with fellow fast bowlers Michael Holding, Andy Roberts, Colin Croft and later Malcolm Marshall, the West Indies reached unprecedented heights in the test and one-day cricket arenas, not losing a test series for over ten years.

In Test cricket he took over 200 wickets at an average of barely above 20, making him one of the most effective bowlers of all time.

However, it was in limited overs cricket that Garner put his height to use with devastating effect. His economy rate of just over 3 runs per over and strike rate of less than 20 runs per wicket are the best ever for anyone who took more than 100 wickets.

His height is almost the same as that of his successor Curtly Ambrose, hence the same "Big" prefix.