Top 10 Players Who Played the Most Tests
Having a long career takes more than just skill — it requires extreme fitness, selectors who have faith, and a whole lot of luck. There have been many highly-skilled players over the years who have played far fewer matches than they could have because they were sidelined by freak injuries or recurring niggles.
On the other hand, many players simply get tired of the grueling exercise that is Test cricket and retire early, while still others prefer the excitement of the shorter formats. Only a select few make it to the upper echelons of Test experience, and here are the 10 greatest of them.
Top 10 players who have played the most Test matches
| Player | Span | Mat | Runs | HS | Ave | 100 | Wkts | BBI | Ave | 5 | Ct | St |
| SR Tendulkar (INDIA) | 1989-2013 | 200 | 15921 | 248* | 53.78 | 51 | 46 | 3/10 | 54.17 | 0 | 115 | 0 |
| JM Anderson (ENG) | 2003-2022 | 169 | 1262 | 81 | 9.27 | 0 | 640 | 7/42 | 26.58 | 31 | 99 | 0 |
| RT Ponting (AUS) | 1995-2012 | 168 | 13378 | 257 | 51.85 | 41 | 5 | 1/0 | 55.20 | 0 | 196 | 0 |
| SR Waugh (AUS) | 1985-2004 | 168 | 10927 | 200 | 51.06 | 32 | 92 | 5/28 | 37.44 | 3 | 112 | 0 |
| JH Kallis (ICC/SA) | 1995-2013 | 166 | 13289 | 224 | 55.37 | 45 | 292 | 6/54 | 32.65 | 5 | 200 | 0 |
| S Chanderpaul (WI) | 1994-2015 | 164 | 11867 | 203* | 51.37 | 30 | 9 | 1/2 | 98.11 | 0 | 66 | 0 |
| R Dravid (ICC/INDIA) | 1996-2012 | 164 | 13288 | 270 | 52.31 | 36 | 1 | 1/18 | 39.00 | 0 | 210 | 0 |
| AN Cook (ENG) | 2006-2018 | 161 | 12472 | 294 | 45.35 | 33 | 1 | 1/6 | 7.00 | 0 | 175 | 0 |
| AR Border (AUS) | 1978-1994 | 156 | 11174 | 205 | 50.56 | 27 | 39 | 7/46 | 39.10 | 2 | 156 | 0 |
| SCJ Broad (ENG) | 2007-2022 | 152 | 3412 | 169 | 18.44 | 1 | 537 | 8/15 | 27.80 | 19 | 51 | 0 |
1. SachiContents
1. Sachin Tendulkar (India)
The most popular cricketer in the history of the game tops this list with a ridiculous 200 matches under his belt. Tendulkar reached many a milestone in a career spanning 24 long years, scoring a ridiculous 15,921 runs in his career. But while some of his other records run the risk of being broken in the near future, the sheer number of matches he has played will likely remain the record for years to come, especially with his closest competitor very close to retirement age.
2. James2. James Anderson (England)
of whom, Anderson may be very close to hanging up his white kits, but he is still as effective as ever with the red ball. Inarguably one of the greatest Test speedsters to ever grace the field, the English quick may not have been the fastest or achieve the most lateral deviation, but he more than made up for it with his line, length, and ability to move the ball just enough to bamboozle even the best of batters. Anderson has played 169 matches at the time of writing, and will likely continue playing for at least another year. In this time, he has taken a whopping 640 wickets, which is the highest for a fast bowler by far.
3. Ricky3. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
he most successful Test captains of all time, Ponting was more than just a big cricketing brain. With a whopping 13,378 Test runs under his belt, he was also one of the greatest batters to play the game. He guided Australia through what was the greatest patch of Test domination the team has seen in its 145-year history, playing 168 matches over his 17-year career.
4. Steve4. Steve Waugh (Australia)
ng was the most successful Aussie captain, Waugh was the captain who set him up with the foundation for that success. Himself a fantastic batter who could also bowl in a pinch, Waugh played the same number of matches as Ponting and was arguably Australia’s best batter until his heir apparent took over, overshadowing him statistically in the batting department.
5. Jacques5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
stionably the single greatest Test cricketer, Kallis was incredible in every single department of the game. He played 166 Tests, scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, picked up 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, and took 200 catches while fielding mostly in the slips. Overall, he was an absolute beast of a cricketer who took no prisoners and had an immense passion for the game.
6. Shivnar6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
pid West Indian, known in his later years for his unique face tattoo and batting stance, was a force of nature with the bat. Playing 164 matches and scoring 11,867 runs at 51.37, Chanderpaul remains the most experienced West Indian batter of all time. He was the hero of many of their campaigns at a time when Lara was nearing retirement and the team was short on reliable batting talent.
7. Rahul D7. Rahul Dravid (India)
olid Rahul Dravid, bestowed with nicknames such as ‘The Wall’ and ‘Mr. Dependable,’ lived up to his name. Playing 164 Tests, he scored 13,288 runs at 52.31, and faced more deliveries than any other batter in cricket history — including Sachin Tendulkar who played 36 more Tests. This was down to not just one of the most accurately textbook batting techniques ever witnessed on a cricket pitch, but also an icy, unshakeable temperament that was borderline Zen.
8. Alistair Cook (En8. Alistair Cook (England)
rved batter may not have been the most statistically accomplished player, but then, English batters aren’t exactly known for their sky-high averages, unlike their Aussie counterparts. Cook played 161 matches, scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and led England for a long spell in the noughties and early 2010s. The southpaw opener, much like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was a beacon of hope for English cricket at a time when they lacked batting talents with longevity.
9. Allan Border (Austr9. Allan Border (Australia)
Australian was the first to breach 11,000 runs in Test cricket, averaging 50.56 across 156 matches. The predecessor to Steve Waugh, Border had to make do with a far less potent Aussie lineup, and he led them by example. Although quite a potent bowler, he never quite shined up those skills in the longest format of the game, despite having once bagged 7 wickets in an innings.
10. Stuart Broad (Engl10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
Contents
2. James Anderson (England)
of whom, Anderson may be very close to hanging up his white kits, but he is still as effective as ever with the red ball. Inarguably one of the greatest Test speedsters to ever grace the field, the English quick may not have been the fastest or achieve the most lateral deviation, but he more than made up for it with his line, length, and ability to move the ball just enough to bamboozle even the best of batters. Anderson has played 169 matches at the time of writing, and will likely continue playing for at least another year. In this time, he has taken a whopping 640 wickets, which is the highest for a fast bowler by far.3. Ricky3. Ricky Ponting (Australia)
he most successful Test captains of all time, Ponting was more than just a big cricketing brain. With a whopping 13,378 Test runs under his belt, he was also one of the greatest batters to play the game. He guided Australia through what was the greatest patch of Test domination the team has seen in its 145-year history, playing 168 matches over his 17-year career.
4. Steve4. Steve Waugh (Australia)
ng was the most successful Aussie captain, Waugh was the captain who set him up with the foundation for that success. Himself a fantastic batter who could also bowl in a pinch, Waugh played the same number of matches as Ponting and was arguably Australia’s best batter until his heir apparent took over, overshadowing him statistically in the batting department.
5. Jacques5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
stionably the single greatest Test cricketer, Kallis was incredible in every single department of the game. He played 166 Tests, scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, picked up 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, and took 200 catches while fielding mostly in the slips. Overall, he was an absolute beast of a cricketer who took no prisoners and had an immense passion for the game.
6. Shivnar6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
pid West Indian, known in his later years for his unique face tattoo and batting stance, was a force of nature with the bat. Playing 164 matches and scoring 11,867 runs at 51.37, Chanderpaul remains the most experienced West Indian batter of all time. He was the hero of many of their campaigns at a time when Lara was nearing retirement and the team was short on reliable batting talent.
7. Rahul D7. Rahul Dravid (India)
olid Rahul Dravid, bestowed with nicknames such as ‘The Wall’ and ‘Mr. Dependable,’ lived up to his name. Playing 164 Tests, he scored 13,288 runs at 52.31, and faced more deliveries than any other batter in cricket history — including Sachin Tendulkar who played 36 more Tests. This was down to not just one of the most accurately textbook batting techniques ever witnessed on a cricket pitch, but also an icy, unshakeable temperament that was borderline Zen.
8. Alistair Cook (En8. Alistair Cook (England)
rved batter may not have been the most statistically accomplished player, but then, English batters aren’t exactly known for their sky-high averages, unlike their Aussie counterparts. Cook played 161 matches, scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and led England for a long spell in the noughties and early 2010s. The southpaw opener, much like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was a beacon of hope for English cricket at a time when they lacked batting talents with longevity.
9. Allan Border (Austr9. Allan Border (Australia)
Australian was the first to breach 11,000 runs in Test cricket, averaging 50.56 across 156 matches. The predecessor to Steve Waugh, Border had to make do with a far less potent Aussie lineup, and he led them by example. Although quite a potent bowler, he never quite shined up those skills in the longest format of the game, despite having once bagged 7 wickets in an innings.
10. Stuart Broad (Engl10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
4. Steve Waugh (Australia)
ng was the most successful Aussie captain, Waugh was the captain who set him up with the foundation for that success. Himself a fantastic batter who could also bowl in a pinch, Waugh played the same number of matches as Ponting and was arguably Australia’s best batter until his heir apparent took over, overshadowing him statistically in the batting department.5. Jacques5. Jacques Kallis (South Africa)
stionably the single greatest Test cricketer, Kallis was incredible in every single department of the game. He played 166 Tests, scored 13,289 runs at an average of 55.37, picked up 292 wickets at an average of 32.65, and took 200 catches while fielding mostly in the slips. Overall, he was an absolute beast of a cricketer who took no prisoners and had an immense passion for the game.
6. Shivnar6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
pid West Indian, known in his later years for his unique face tattoo and batting stance, was a force of nature with the bat. Playing 164 matches and scoring 11,867 runs at 51.37, Chanderpaul remains the most experienced West Indian batter of all time. He was the hero of many of their campaigns at a time when Lara was nearing retirement and the team was short on reliable batting talent.
7. Rahul D7. Rahul Dravid (India)
olid Rahul Dravid, bestowed with nicknames such as ‘The Wall’ and ‘Mr. Dependable,’ lived up to his name. Playing 164 Tests, he scored 13,288 runs at 52.31, and faced more deliveries than any other batter in cricket history — including Sachin Tendulkar who played 36 more Tests. This was down to not just one of the most accurately textbook batting techniques ever witnessed on a cricket pitch, but also an icy, unshakeable temperament that was borderline Zen.
8. Alistair Cook (En8. Alistair Cook (England)
rved batter may not have been the most statistically accomplished player, but then, English batters aren’t exactly known for their sky-high averages, unlike their Aussie counterparts. Cook played 161 matches, scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and led England for a long spell in the noughties and early 2010s. The southpaw opener, much like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was a beacon of hope for English cricket at a time when they lacked batting talents with longevity.
9. Allan Border (Austr9. Allan Border (Australia)
Australian was the first to breach 11,000 runs in Test cricket, averaging 50.56 across 156 matches. The predecessor to Steve Waugh, Border had to make do with a far less potent Aussie lineup, and he led them by example. Although quite a potent bowler, he never quite shined up those skills in the longest format of the game, despite having once bagged 7 wickets in an innings.
10. Stuart Broad (Engl10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul (West Indies)
pid West Indian, known in his later years for his unique face tattoo and batting stance, was a force of nature with the bat. Playing 164 matches and scoring 11,867 runs at 51.37, Chanderpaul remains the most experienced West Indian batter of all time. He was the hero of many of their campaigns at a time when Lara was nearing retirement and the team was short on reliable batting talent.7. Rahul D7. Rahul Dravid (India)
olid Rahul Dravid, bestowed with nicknames such as ‘The Wall’ and ‘Mr. Dependable,’ lived up to his name. Playing 164 Tests, he scored 13,288 runs at 52.31, and faced more deliveries than any other batter in cricket history — including Sachin Tendulkar who played 36 more Tests. This was down to not just one of the most accurately textbook batting techniques ever witnessed on a cricket pitch, but also an icy, unshakeable temperament that was borderline Zen.
8. Alistair Cook (En8. Alistair Cook (England)
rved batter may not have been the most statistically accomplished player, but then, English batters aren’t exactly known for their sky-high averages, unlike their Aussie counterparts. Cook played 161 matches, scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and led England for a long spell in the noughties and early 2010s. The southpaw opener, much like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was a beacon of hope for English cricket at a time when they lacked batting talents with longevity.
9. Allan Border (Austr9. Allan Border (Australia)
Australian was the first to breach 11,000 runs in Test cricket, averaging 50.56 across 156 matches. The predecessor to Steve Waugh, Border had to make do with a far less potent Aussie lineup, and he led them by example. Although quite a potent bowler, he never quite shined up those skills in the longest format of the game, despite having once bagged 7 wickets in an innings.
10. Stuart Broad (Engl10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
8. Alistair Cook (England)
rved batter may not have been the most statistically accomplished player, but then, English batters aren’t exactly known for their sky-high averages, unlike their Aussie counterparts. Cook played 161 matches, scored 12,472 runs at an average of 45.35, and led England for a long spell in the noughties and early 2010s. The southpaw opener, much like Shivnarine Chanderpaul, was a beacon of hope for English cricket at a time when they lacked batting talents with longevity.9. Allan Border (Austr9. Allan Border (Australia)
Australian was the first to breach 11,000 runs in Test cricket, averaging 50.56 across 156 matches. The predecessor to Steve Waugh, Border had to make do with a far less potent Aussie lineup, and he led them by example. Although quite a potent bowler, he never quite shined up those skills in the longest format of the game, despite having once bagged 7 wickets in an innings.
10. Stuart Broad (Engl10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
10. Stuart Broad (England)
list is only the second current player. Although a highly talented bowler who has had excellent performances in every format of the game, Broad’s number of 152 matches — and 537 wickets — don’t look like they will climb much higher, given his dwindling pace and form along with the improvement of younger, more futureproof prospects.
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