The “Yorker Kings” of cricket include Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Mitchell Starc, Jasprit Bumrah, and Lasith Malinga. Known for their precision and lethal toe-crushers, these bowlers mastered the yorker, making it their signature weapon. Their skill and accuracy made them feared bowlers, securing numerous wickets with this powerful delivery.
5. Waqar Younis (Pakistan)
Younis was renowned for his lethal swing and pinpoint yorkers, making him one of the most intimidating bowlers to face. Known for rattling the stumps, he claimed 786 international wickets, with 20 percent of those dismissals coming from bowled deliveries, thanks to his precise, swinging yorkers. His powerful run-up and ability to swing the ball both ways contributed significantly to his success in mastering the yorker.
4. Shoaib Akhtar (Pakistan)
Another Pakistani pacer on this list is the “Rawalpindi Express” Shoaib Akhtar. Imagine facing a yorker at 98–100 mph—an almost impossible delivery to defend. Today’s batters have developed ways to counter yorkers, but in earlier eras, it was a near-guaranteed wicket ball, and Akhtar used it with precision. With 444 international wickets, 150 of them bowled, Akhtar’s lethal yorkers were a nightmare for batters and a key to his success.
3. Mitchell Starc (Australia)
Mitchell Starc stands out as one of the best bowlers in modern-day cricket. Known for his swing with the new ball, Starc unleashes deadly yorkers as it ages. His left-arm angle adds a challenging dimension, and combined with pace, his toe-crushing yorkers are tough to counter. Starc’s accuracy is evident, with 206 bowled dismissals in international cricket—the fourth-highest in history—solidifying his reputation as a master of the yorker.
2. Jasprit Bumrah (India)
Jasprit Bumrah is often hailed as the new “Yorker King” of cricket for his remarkable ability to deliver yorkers on demand. He can bowl six yorkers in an over, showcasing an impressive range—whether it’s a wide yorker, a traditional yorker, or a swinging yorker. Even when batters anticipate it, Bumrah’s precision and skill make it nearly impossible to counter his yorkers, cementing his reputation as one of the best in this craft.
1. Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka)
Lasith Malinga is widely regarded as the true “Yorker King” of cricket. The former Sri Lankan bowler left a lasting impact on the game, particularly in white-ball cricket, where his deadly yorkers made him one of the world’s most formidable bowlers. Malinga’s mastery of the yorker led him to achieve five international hat-tricks—two of which were double hat-tricks, where he dismissed batters bowled or LBW—showcasing his precision and unmatched skill.
