Maintaining a high level of fitness is quite important for any sportsperson, more so if they play a field sport like cricket. A cricketer needs to be quick and agile in the field to run between the wickets, chase the ball, or take diving catches.
With the increase in T20 cricket, a player needs to be as fit as ever to contribute in back-to-back games. We have often seen younger players showing their great reflexes, but they have also been challenged by veteran cricketers who defied their age.
The Big Bash League (BBL) has seen several experienced players make their mark in their 40s. From Brad Hogg to Shane Warne, many seasoned campaigners delivered remarkable performances at an old age.
On that note, we’ll look at the five oldest players to feature in Big Bash League (BBL) history.
5. Dan Christian | 41 Years and 247 Days
On January 6, 2025, Dan Christian became the fifth 41-plus-aged player to play in the BBL. The T20 specialist returned to action in the BBL after a gap of two years.
Christian had retired after the 2022/23 season with Sydney Sixers and joined Sydney Thunder as an assistant coach.
But the all-rounder turned up for Thunder against Brisbane Heat at the age of 41 years and 247 days. The franchise roped him in as an injury replacement following a horrific collision between Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft.
On his return, Christian put up a late cameo with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 23 off 15, including two sixes, and took a wicket in four overs, though Thunder lost the game.
4. Muthiah Muralidaran | 41 Years and 280 Days
Muthiah Muralidaran, the highest wicket-taker in international cricket, appeared in the BBL after retiring from international level. The Sri Lankan great turned up for Melbourne Renegades for two seasons in 2012/13 and 2013/14.
Murali’s ability to spin the ball on almost any surface was visible during his short BBL stint. He grabbed 19 scalps in 16 games at an economy of 5.70.
Murali played his last BBL match for the Renegades against Adelaide Strikers on January 22, 2014. Even in the last game, the off-spinner picked up two crucial wickets while conceding 16 runs in four overs to help the Renegades win the match by a run.
3. Brad Hodge | 43 Years and 24 Days
Brad Hodge hung up his boots from professional cricket on January 22, 2018. On that day, he appeared for the last time in the BBL for Melbourne Renegades at the age of 43 years and 24 days.
In his final game, Hodge gave a glimpse of his aggressive batting by hitting 3 sixes and a four in his 30 off 18 knock. That was the style of play he lived by in T20 cricket, accumulating significant runs lower down the order.
Despite his remarkable domestic record, Hodge couldn’t make it big for Australia on the global stage. But he filled that void with his crucial performances in the BBL, playing 50 matches and scoring 1412 runs at a strike rate of 134.34.
2. Shane Warne | 43 Years and 125 Days
The legendary Shane Warne is second on the list. He was 43 years and 125 days old when he last played his BBL match for Melbourne Stars on January 16, 2013.
Warne’s leg-spin bowling skills are well known, as he deceived batters with his leg breaks and wrong’uns. The leggie only played for two seasons in the BBL, appearing in 15 matches for the Stars. He took 11 wickets combined in the 2011/12 and 2012/13 seasons.
1. Brad Hogg | 46 Years and 350 Days
Brad Hogg is the oldest player to feature in a BBL match. Coincidentally, Hogg also played in the same game as Hodge for Renegades against Strikers on January 22, 2018. It was his last BBL match at the age of 46 years and 350 days.
His always smiling face and running in to bowl with the tongue out will forever be in the minds of cricket fans. Hogg used to bowl left-arm wrist spin, also known as chinaman bowling, which is a rare bowling style in cricket.
He had deceiving flippers and googlies up his sleeves that often caught batters off guard. In his 60-match BBL career, Hogg picked up 61 wickets at an economy of 6.63.
Hogg also holds the record of being the oldest to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He represented Kolkata Knight Riders at the age of 45 years and 92 days on May 8, 2016.
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