Dale Steyn Names Marco Jansen World's Best Cricketer

The former South African fast bowler identifies Jansen as the top cricketer due to his all-round contributions.

Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Baseball

Expressive sports illustration of a cricketer mid-bowling motion, using thick, gestural brush strokes and vibrant green and gold colors. — Former South African pacer Dale Steyn has named all-rounder Marco Jansen the world's best cricketer, citing his impact with both bat and ball. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Dale Steyn has declared South African all-rounder Marco Jansen the best cricketer in the world. The assessment follows a recent dominant performance by Jansen against Australia at St George's Park.

Why it matters

Steyn believes Jansen's ability to contribute significantly with both the bat and ball distinguishes him from other players who excel in only one discipline. This assessment contrasts with a recent claim by Nasser Hussain, who previously named Harry Brook as the world's best cricketer.

Jansen has recorded 98 total career Test wickets across five five-wicket hauls. During the second Test, he posted figures of 5/33 and scored 85 runs in the first innings.

The players

Dale Steyn

He is a former South African professional cricketer and fast bowler who is widely considered one of the greatest of his generation.

Marco Jansen

He is a South African bowling all-rounder who made his international Test debut in 2021.

Nasser Hussain

He is a former captain of the England cricket team and a current commentator for the sport.

Harry Brook

He is an English cricketer who plays as a middle-order batter for his national side.

The details

Steyn noted that his selection is based on comprehensive contributions, specifically pointing out that Harry Brook does not bowl. Jansen, a bowling all-rounder, provided a pivotal performance against Australia by helping limit the opposition to 99 runs in the first innings.

Marco Jansen was born on 1 May 2000.
Marco Jansen made his Test debut on 26 December 2021.
Nasser Hussain named Harry Brook the best cricketer on 21 October 2026.
Dale Steyn named Marco Jansen the best cricketer on 22 October 2026.

Season Trajectory

This public appraisal highlights the ongoing debate surrounding all-rounders versus specialist batters in Test cricket. It shifts focus onto Jansen's development as a potential leader in the ICC Men's Test All-Rounder Rankings standings.

Jansen's recent five-wicket haul and 85-run contribution confirm his status as a critical asset for South African rotation in future Tests. These stats solidify his high value in fantasy cricket formats requiring versatile multi-skilled players.

The takeaway

Evaluating the best cricketer often depends on whether one prioritises batting averages or total all-round utility. Fans can follow Jansen's continued progress to see if his performance metrics justify this high praise throughout the remainder of the season.