View Full Version : The most experienced test team in history
dr nick
20 Apr 2003, 22:48
Australia v Pakistan at Colombo, 27/09/02
JL Langer (52)
ML Hayden (31)
RT Ponting (57)
ME Waugh (125)
SR Waugh (149)
DR Martyn (26)
AC Gilchrist (32)
SK Warne (98)
B Lee (32)
JN Gillespie (34)
GD McGrath (85)
Total: 721 test caps
dr nick
20 Apr 2003, 22:49
thankyou anonymous moderator
What makes that stat a bit misleading is the amount of international cricket that gets played today, compared to earlier eras... even going back just 20 years.
Of course the stat itself can't be disputed, but it's a lot easier to rack up 50 Tests (or however many) than it was in any other era.
There are many cases of English cricketers especially, who have played for 20-30 years at First Class level, amassing 500+ games, but only playing a small number of Tests because of
a) infrequency of Test matches
b) interruptions during war years
Just out of curiosity, I'd be interested to see an age/First Class match comparison between the abovementioned team, and Bradman's team of 1948, taking into account that the bulk of the post-war team would have been of suitable age and ability to play during the war years.
dr nick
21 Apr 2003, 13:53
Originally posted by Darky
What makes that stat a bit misleading is the amount of international cricket that gets played today, compared to earlier eras... even going back just 20 years.
Of course the stat itself can't be disputed, but it's a lot easier to rack up 50 Tests (or however many) than it was in any other era.
There are many cases of English cricketers especially, who have played for 20-30 years at First Class level, amassing 500+ games, but only playing a small number of Tests because of
a) infrequency of Test matches
b) interruptions during war years
Just out of curiosity, I'd be interested to see an age/First Class match comparison between the abovementioned team, and Bradman's team of 1948, taking into account that the bulk of the post-war team would have been of suitable age and ability to play during the war years.
true but if you look at any other current side they would be lucky to scrape 3-400 matches at the most. that side is a fair way above any other. even our current side is in the 400's now and i dare say that there wouldn't be another side with as many test caps currently.
another thing, in that side i mentioned above, only 4 made their debut post 1993, which in itself is incredible
Originally posted by nicko18
Australia v Pakistan at Colombo, 27/09/02
JL Langer (52)
ML Hayden (31)
RT Ponting (57)
ME Waugh (125)
SR Waugh (149)
DR Martyn (26)
AC Gilchrist (32)
SK Warne (98)
B Lee (32)
JN Gillespie (34)
GD McGrath (85)
Total: 721 test caps
I bet Alec Stewart has played in more losing Test matches than this lot put together.