Australia/England Test cap numbers: why such a discrepancy?

[MC Extra Dollop]

Clint McKay is the most recently capped Australian Test cricketer, the 412th player to represent Australia in a Test Match. Jonathan Trott is the last man to be duly honoured in the English Test side, he's number 644. England capped their 412th player in 1962. I've had this explained to me before, but have forgotten the answer. Why have so many more players been capped for England than Australia? England have played about 100 more Tests, which will obviously be somewhat related, but that's an average of over two new players for each additional Test that England played.

 

[Ill Chicken]

Because they don't stick by players. May also have something to do with the teams that went away early doors pre 1950's to places like India and so on that weren't full strenght sides.

 

[MightyFighting]

England used to field both an amateur team and a professional team.

 

[John Dorian]

Cause England are terrible.
They have to keep trying out new players because no one is ever good enoug to stay in.

Well thats my theory anyway.

 

[aneale]

it wasn't uncommon to find English cricketers who didn't tour, at times their home team looked very different than the away team. It wasn't uncommon to see guys like Botham refuse to tour places like India & the WI even in the mid 80's, hence why a dud like Chris Cowdrey got selected and even made captain

 

[MC Extra Dollop]

England used to field both an amateur team and a professional team.

I think that was the reason that was explained to me previously. Cheers...

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Years ago they played a lot of Tests against New Zealand, etc, whereas Australia didn't. They also select from a much larger number of players, and are therefore less likely to pick players who are likely to stay in their team for longer periods. The English cap isn't anywhere near as sacred as the baggy green.

 

[JimDocker]

As an England supporter , it is fair to say that England have picked a lot more players over the years that have no right to be on the field during a Test match while Australia has higher standards.

(I didn't enjoy that !)

 

[Belnakor]

England used to field both an amateur team and a professional team.

they also had "england" teams that were assembled in South Africa etc where basically the entire XI only ever played 1-2 test matches.

At one point England played two test matches at the same time, iirc One against the WI with their first XI and one against NZ with their second.

 

[pluga_4]

all the above reasons are valid .

england have also played 100 more tests than australia.