To have a prolonged career in a sport like cricket, one needs to maintain a high level of consistency, both in performance and fitness.
A plethora of cricketers have shown their resilience on the field, extending their careers for longer durations.
Here we’ll look at the 5 players with the longest careers in international cricket.
5. Sachin Tendulkar (India) | 24 Years and 1 Day
There’s not a single record that doesn’t involve Sachin Tendulkar’s name. You name it, and the great man is present there. (Read Tendulkar’s 5 unbreakable records here.)
The Master Blaster had a majestic career for India at the international level, playing for 24 years and a day. Tendulkar made his international debut in a Test match against Pakistan on November 15, 1989.
For the next 24 years, he ruled the world of cricket like a boss, accumulating 34357 runs in 664 matches. The Mumbai batter said goodbye to this beautiful sport on November 16, 2013, at his home ground.
4. George Headley (West Indies) | 24 Years and 10 Days
George Headley sits fourth on the list of players with the longest careers in international cricket.
The right-hand batter turned up for the West Indies in 22 Test matches over a period of 24 years and 10 days. The Jamaican batter earned the tag of black Bradman for his incredible batting knocks.
Headly made his debut on January 11, 1930, in a Test against England at Bridgetown. He played 19 Tests for the West Indies until the Second World War started in 1939.
Post the World War, Headly returned to play 3 fixtures for the Caribbean side between 1948 and 1954. He retired from international cricket on January 21, 1954, with 2190 runs in 22 Tests.
3. Frank Woolley (England) | 25 Years and 13 Days
Frank Woolley, the tall English all-rounder, had an incredible international cricket career spanning 25 years and 13 days. He was a graceful hitter of the ball and had a beautiful bowling action.
Woolley made his international debut for England in a Test match against Australia on August 9, 1909, at the Oval. On either side of the First World War, the Kent all-rounder represented England in 64 Tests, scoring 3283 runs and taking 83 wickets.
Woolley played his last Test match on August 22, 1934, against the same opposition and at the same venue as his debut. He continued playing First-Class cricket until 1938, amassing 58959 runs and scalping 2066 wickets in 978 matches.
2. Brian Close (England) | 26 Years and 356 Days
Brian Close is the only player to have 25+ years of international career among those who debuted post-World War 2. The left-arm batter’s international career stretched for 26 years and 356 days while playing for England.
Close made his international debut on July 23, 1949, in a Test against New Zealand at the age of 18 years and 149 days, making him the youngest male English player at the time — a record that stood for 73 years!
He rounded off his career on July 13, 1976, against the West Indies in Manchester. In almost 27 years, Close played 22 Tests and 3 ODIs for England.
1. Wilfred Rhodes (England) | 30 Years and 315 Days
Wilfred Rhodes sits at the top with a career spanning 30 years and 315 days, making it the longest career in international cricket.
The Yorkshire all-rounder made his Test debut on June 1, 1899, against Australia. Before the First World War, he played 47 Tests and featured in 10 between 1920 and 1930.
Rhodes capped off his career on April 12, 1930, in a Timeless Test against the West Indies. In all, Rhodes played 58 Tests for England, accumulating 2325 runs and taking 127 wickets.
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