Joel Garner

Joel Garner is a former West Indian fast bowler who played international cricket from 1977 to 1987. Known as “Big Bird,” he used his exceptional height to generate steep bounce.

West Indies cricket team: The national cricket team representing the West Indies, a regional association of Caribbean cricket nations. Garner was a central fast bowler in the West Indies team’s dominant late-1970s and 1980s era.
Fast bowling: A cricket bowling discipline that uses high delivery speed to challenge batters. Garner’s steep-bouncing deliveries were a distinctive form of fast bowling.
1979 Cricket World Cup: The second Cricket World Cup, held in England and won by the West Indies. Garner took five wickets in the final as the West Indies retained the title.
ICC Cricket Hall of Fame: The International Cricket Council’s hall of fame, recognizing distinguished cricketers from across the history of the game. Garner’s induction recognized his achievements as a leading fast bowler.
Clive Lloyd: A Guyanese cricketer who captained the West Indies to major international success in the 1970s and 1980s. Lloyd captained Garner during the West Indies’ rise to dominance.
Bounce (cricket): The upward movement of a cricket ball after it strikes the pitch. Garner’s height produced bounce that reached batters higher than expected.
1983 Cricket World Cup: The third Cricket World Cup, held in England and won by India. Garner’s tournament performances helped the West Indies reach the final.
West Indies cricket team in the 1980s: The West Indies men’s team that dominated international cricket through much of the 1980s. Garner’s bowling contributed to the team’s long period of success.
Malcolm Marshall: A Barbadian fast bowler regarded as one of cricket’s greatest, who played for the West Indies from 1978 to 1991. Marshall was a fellow leader of the fast-bowling attack Garner helped make formidable.
Yorker: A cricket delivery that pitches near a batter’s feet, close to the popping crease. Garner’s accurate yorkers complemented his steep short-pitched bowling.

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Curtly AmbroseRelated: Garner’s height and bounce invite comparison with Ambrose’s own imposing style.