The “Worst International Cricketers of All Time” highlights players whose international performances fell short of expectations despite domestic success. Examples include Hamish Rutherford, James Franklin, Nasir Jamshed, Aakash Chopra, and Chamu Chibhabha, who struggled with consistency, low batting averages, or limited impact in matches, making their careers notably underwhelming.

Hamish Rutherford

Worst: Rutherford’s international career spanned 16 Tests, 4 ODIs, and 8 T20s, with an average below 25 across all formats. Despite amassing 7,461 runs in 119 first-class matches, his performances at the international level failed to meet expectations for the New Zealand opener.

Aakash Chopra

Aakash Chopra debuted for India in a Test match against New Zealand in 2003. Known as a traditional opener, he earned his spot through stellar first-class performances. However, his international career didn’t meet expectations. Playing 10 Tests with an average of 23, his limitations were swiftly exposed by bowlers. Inconsistent performances led selectors to overlook him, bringing his brief international journey to an early close.

James Franklin

Worst: James Franklin, a New Zealand bowling all-rounder, featured in over 150 international matches but averaged below 20 with the bat across all formats. Despite excelling domestically with 9780 runs in 206 first-class games, he struggled to replicate this form at the international level, earning a place among cricket’s least impactful players.

Nasir Jamshed

Nasir Jamshed, a Pakistani opening batsman, often garnered significant hype but failed to meet expectations. His Test batting average fell below 15, while his averages in ODIs and T20Is remained under 32. These underwhelming stats place him among the least impactful players in international cricket.

Chamu Chibhabha

Worst: Chamu Chibhabha, an all-rounder from Zimbabwe, tops the list of least impactful international cricketers. Making his ODI debut against New Zealand in 2005, his career statistics remain underwhelming. Despite playing nearly 150 international matches, he managed only 3,209 runs, highlighting his struggles at the highest level of the game.

Labeling a cricketer as the “worst” is not only subjective but also unfair, given the immense pressure and challenges players face at the highest level. Cricket is a team sport, and even the most talented cricketers can have poor runs of form or face difficult conditions. It’s important to acknowledge that most players who represent their countries have extraordinary skills to make it to the international stage, and even those who might have struggled at the top level often have great records in domestic cricket.

However, there are players who have had relatively poor records or brief careers at the international level, for various reasons such as inconsistency, failure to adapt to international standards, or simply being out of their depth in high-pressure situations.

Here are a few players who, based on their performance at the international level, have been criticized or are remembered for underperforming:

1. Tino Best (West Indies):

Career: 2003–2014 (Test and ODI)
Tino Best, a fast bowler from the West Indies, had a relatively brief international career. Despite a few memorable moments (including a remarkable 95 runs in a Test match), Best struggled with consistency and lacked the pace and accuracy needed to succeed at the highest level. He was often seen as a bowler with raw pace but lacking in control.

2. Greg Thomas (England):

Career: 1988–1990 (Test and ODI)
Greg Thomas was a left-arm orthodox spinner who represented England in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Despite playing for a few years, Thomas failed to make an impact on the international scene and had a very modest record. His international career was short-lived, and he was often overshadowed by more established spin bowlers.

3. Nantie Hayward (South Africa):

Career: 1997–2004 (Test and ODI)
Worst: Nantie Hayward was a fast bowler who showed promise early in his career. However, his performances were inconsistent, and he never truly made a mark in international cricket. His career was plagued by injuries, and his bowling action, though capable of generating pace, lacked the necessary consistency and control at the top level.

4. Iqbal Siddique (India):

Career: 2000–2001 (Test)
Iqbal Siddique was a left-arm spinner who played only one Test match for India. His performance in that match, however, was far from impressive. He failed to make a significant impact and was quickly forgotten after his brief appearance on the international stage.

5. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies) (not the worst but underrated by some for his unorthodox technique):

Career: 1994–2015 (Test, ODI, T20I)
While Shivnarine Chanderpaul is a legendary cricketer with remarkable statistics, his unorthodox batting technique was often criticized and not widely appreciated by some. His “awkward” stance led some critics to label him as “ugly” or “unattractive” to watch. However, Chanderpaul managed to score over 11,000 runs in Tests and nearly 9,000 in ODIs, proving that unconventional methods can lead to success.

6. Eddie Hemmings (England):

Career: 1981–1992 (Test)
Eddie Hemmings had an ordinary Test career for England, with limited success. Despite being a part of the national team for several years, his performances did not stand out. A right-arm leg-spinner, Hemmings never quite cemented his place in the side, and his figures are often overshadowed by other, more successful English bowlers from his era.

7. Chris Tavaré (England):

Career: 1975–1983 (Test and ODI)
Chris Tavaré was a batsman known for his slow and defensive approach. In an era dominated by attacking cricket, Tavaré’s ultra-defensive style led to criticism, and his poor conversion rate of starts into big scores contributed to his limited success at the highest level. He was often seen as a player who struggled to adapt to the evolving demands of modern cricket.

8. Chris Gayle (for his inconsistency at certain stages in his career):

Career: 1999–2019 (Test, ODI, T20I)
Although Chris Gayle is undoubtedly one of the most destructive T20 batsmen ever and has a fantastic record in ODIs and T20Is, he has often been criticized for being inconsistent in Tests and for his lazy approach in certain matches. At times, Gayle’s focus on power hitting over technique has led to him being labeled as a “hit or miss” player in longer formats.

9. Darryn Randall (South Africa):

Career: 2010–2013 (Test and ODI)
Darryn Randall was a South African cricketer who struggled at the international level. Despite a solid domestic career, his time with the South African team was short-lived, as he failed to make significant contributions and was dropped after a few seasons.

10. Jonathan Trott (England) (For his struggles against short-pitched deliveries):

Career: 2009–2015 (Test, ODI)
Though Trott is remembered for his strong batting average and solid technique, he struggled significantly in later years, especially against short-pitched deliveries. He had to leave the 2013/14 Ashes tour midway due to mental health issues, and his career suffered as a result of his declining form.

It’s crucial to remember that even players who are perceived as underperformers at the international level have proven themselves at the domestic level and worked incredibly hard to reach the heights of international cricket. Their poor performances often stem from a range of factors, such as the pressure of international cricket, injuries, and not adapting to specific playing conditions. Every cricketer, no matter their record, has faced enormous challenges to reach that level of the game.

Player	Team	Format	Matches Played	Runs Scored	Batting Average
Chamu Chibhabha	Zimbabwe	ODI, T20	150+	3,209	–
Nasir Jamshed	Pakistan	Test, ODI, T20	50+	–	Test: <15, ODI/T20: <32
James Franklin	New Zealand	All Formats	150+	3,209 (Intl)	<20
Aakash Chopra	India	Test	10	–	23
Hamish Rutherford	New Zealand	Test, ODI, T20	16 Tests, 4 ODIs, 8 T20s	7461 (FC)	<25

Worst International Cricketers Of All Time