As the landscape of modern cricket is one that is constantly evolving, the value of the utility player has never been more apparent. These cricketers who are able to bring more than just one key skill to the pitch provide their teams with some invaluable flexibility. Whether it is batting down the order and quickly delivering some runs, saving crucial runs out in the field or bowling a few tiger overs towards the end of a close match, utility players happen to be the heartbeat of many top teams.
They may not always grab the headlines like strike bowlers or pure batsmen, however, their all-around abilities often tip the balance in favour of their sides, especially in close contests.
It is for this reason that we have picked out some of the best utility players in world cricket at the moment and highlighted what it means to have this role out on the field.
What Is A Utility Player?
Before we get into some of the best utility players out there today, understanding what this role is on a fundamental level is just as important. A utility player in cricket is someone who excels in multiple facets of the sport typically having a top tier combination of batting, bowling and fielding abilities. While all rounds form the core of this group, utility players aren’t necessarily specialise in one discipline, instead providing strategic versatility which allows teams to balance their sides more effectively.
There are a number of key things a utility player might bring to the game as they can contribute crucial runs at different batting positions, save boundaries and take difficult catches, pick up key wickets or bowl economically as a secondary option, allowing them to be deployed in different formats with equal effectiveness. More often than not, these utility players tend to thrive in pressure situations, often tasked with difficult jobs like breaking batting partnerships or finishing an inning, something which makes them popular all-rounders for cricket betting markets.
Ravindra Jadeja
Now that you have an understanding of what these players are, Ravindra Jadeja is perhaps the ultimate example of a utility cricketer in the modern game. An extremely rare three-dimensional player Jadeja has grown from being a simple support act, all the way to one of India’s most dependable match winners across all formats.
With the bat in particular, he has transformed into a reliable, lower order presence, capable of rescuing inning switch explosive finishing flair and smart strokeplay. When it comes to being with the ball though, Jadeja boasts an accurate left-arm orthodox spin that consistently is able to tie down opposition batters. He often bowls long, economical spells that set up wickets for others due to the pressure he builds on the opposition.
Then there is fielding, with this arguably being Jadeja’s most underrated asset. Few players in the world are able to affect more run-outs or take sharper catches than the Indian star, being able to cover ground rapidly and having a rocket of an arm to back it up. When taking all of these components into consideration, it is clear to see why Jadeja is a captain’s dream.
Ben Stokes
Another perfect example of the ultimate modern utility cricket is Ben Stokes, a powerhouse in every aspect of the game that combines raw talent with grit and a next level understanding of the game. With the bat, he’s capable of anchoring an inning or playing the aggressor, often putting up impressive performances that carry his sides in Test matches, specifically. In white ball cricket, Stokes plays a similar role, being destructive and versatile when needed, calmly being able to guide teams to victory.
However, Stokes’ bowling is equally as vital, being able to hit the deck hard and bowl aggressive short spells while not being a frontline paces. Especially when the game is in the balance, the former England captain is able to take crucial wickets when his side most needs them. In regards to his fielding, Stokes is always in the action. Whether it is a diving catch, a direct hit or a boundary save, his presence is able to lift any of the teams he takes to the field for, solidifying his place as one of the most valuable all-format utility cricketers in the world.
Glenn Maxwell
Nicknamed as the ‘Big Show,’ one of the most dynamic and unpredictable utility cricketers on the planet is Glenn Maxwell. Especially in shorter formats, the Australian all rounder is able to bring innovation and unmatched improvisation to the game and with the bat, he can take to the field anywhere in the order. His range of unorthodox shots, scoops, and reverse sweeps, enables him to manipulate field placements and break any bowling rhythm the opposition may have established.
However, as he is considered one of the best utility cricketers, it is evident that Maxwell is not just a one trick pony. Thanks to his off-spin bowling, his technique has proved more than useful as captains utilise him as a partnership breaker or to simply sneak in some economical overs. In the field, he is just as electric, often taking stinging catches no matter where he is positioned. Especially in T20, the Australian ‘Big Show’ is the embodiment of a flexible, yet entertaining, utility cricketer.
Marco Jansen
Standing at a towering 6 foot, 9 inches, South Africa’s most exciting multi-format utility player is the young Marco Jansen. Over the years, he has risen to become one of the most exciting left arm bowlers, using his height and angles to extract steep bounces and troubling movement of the ball. His main role is unsurprisingly as a bowler, taking crucial wickets across ODIs, Tests and the T20 format.
However, what elevates Jansen to a top utility player status is his growing confidence with the bat. Regularly chipping in with key runs in the lower batting order, he is more than capable of playing crucial innings under pressure, showing the temperament of a top order batter. In addition to all this, the South African is also a more than competent fielder, being surprisingly agile for his size and sharp in the outfield. Although it is still early days compared to some of the other utility players we have already mentioned, it is clear to see that Jansen may well become one of the best players in this role over the next decade.
