With the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008, the way cricket is viewed and played has seen a major transformation. Up until the mid-2000s, cricket was primarily about two formats, Tests and One-day Internationals. However, the latter half of the decade saw a brand-new format emerge. A much more enthralling, high-octane, and fast-paced format, T20 cricket. The first-ever World Cup of the new and shortest format of the game, in 2007, gave it some much-desired global attention. However, it was the emergence of India’s domestic T20 league, that potentially revolutionized the sport.
The IPL had everything, the best of global cricketing stars, brands, film stars, industrialists that made it a grand event. The tournament which has since only gotten bigger and grander has played inspiration to many other domestic T20 tournaments around the world. From the BBL in Australia to the PSL in Pakistan, almost every major cricket-playing nation now boasts of a league of its own.
However, the success of the format and the glitter that surrounds it has not deterred the true admirers of the sport from its purest form, Test Cricket. The longest format of the game is played across five days in difficult conditions making it arguably the most challenging assignment for a cricketer. The T20 culture has given the world of cricket many new stars and has also seen a few players playing out their careers primarily as T20 journeymen. However, there are still a large number of cricketers who have had lengthy Test careers even post the emergence of many T20 leagues across the globe. Here’s looking at the-
Top 5 players who have played the most Tests since the inception of franchise T20 leagues
1. James Anderson
Rated by many as arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game, England’s James Anderson sits at the top of this list with 153 Test matches. Anderson in the said number of matches has picked up a monumental total of 594 Test wickets at an average of 25.67. He has picked 29 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in the said period.
The star bowler has been one of the greatest cricketers to have emerged out of England. With his seam & swing abilities, Anderson has troubled many great batters around the world. Though he has been good in all conditions, the right-arm bowler has achieved the most success bowling at home, in English conditions.
It is however fair to say, Anderson has not taken to franchise T20 cricket much like his peers. For the longest of times, English cricketers were more involved in national duty than playing league cricket. Thus, with the workload being managed well for the bowler, it has helped Anderson achieve the feats that he so far has.
2. Stuart Broad
The other half of the famed Anderson-Broad duo, Stuart Broad sits second on the list with 152 Test matches. He has picked 537 wickets at an average of 27.80. He has 19 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls to his name. Broad has been instrumental in winning England many Test matches with his skill full fast bowling.
The right-arm bowler has created his niche in the game and made a mark as one of England’s best bowlers. He has prioritized the longest format of the game over white-ball cricket and his numbers justify all efforts.
Broad, however, has played a bit more of the T20 franchisee cricket as compared to his bowling partner. He has featured in the IPL for Punjab Kings (then Kings XI Punjab) in the past and also played at the BBL.
3. Alastair Cook
Former England captain, Alastair Cook is yet another English cricketer on the list. He comes in at the third position with 147 Test matches in which the batter has scored 11435 runs at an average of 45.55. He has recorded 29 centuries and 54 half-centuries with a high score of 294. Cook up until his retirement was the mainstay in England’s batting order opening the innings for his team.
The southpaw in his playing career was seen as one of the only few cricketers who could potentially come close to Sachin Tendulkar’s monumental records. Cook played Test cricket with his full commitment and gave his best each time he faced up the red ball. He was an out-an-out match-winner and also boasts of impressive captaincy records.
Much like his teammate, James Anderson, Cook did not play any significant franchise T20 cricket. He never featured in the IPL and played primarily in the whites for England. The batter is regarded as one of the most effective Test openers in the game.
4. Joe Root
The current England Captain comes in next at four with 114 Tests. He has amassed 9600 runs in the duration at an average of 49.23. Root has 23 centuries and 53 half-centuries to his name. His highest is 254. The right-handed batter in the previous years has proved to be the most important batter for his team. He has shown consistency in his run-scoring and looks elegant with his stroke play.
Root has played a significant amount of red-ball cricket all over the globe and has performed in the most challenging of conditions. He is compact in his defense and also possesses a wide range of shots in his armoury. The batter has primarily batted at the number four position in England’s batting order.
Though Root has put in his name in the IPL auctions in the past, he is yet to feature in the league. He however has represented the Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League.
5. Ross Taylor
Former New Zealand Test cricketer rounds of the list with 112 Tests. He has scored 7683 runs at an average of 44.66 with 19 centuries and 35 half-centuries with his best score being 290. Taylor with his elegant batting has been a very important cog in the wheel for his team.
He has served New Zealand for over a decade contributing massively with his bat. The middle-order batter has played many incredible innings around the world to win his side important Test matches. Taylor is a well-respected figure in New Zealand cricket and has often referred to the late Martin Crowe as his mentor and idol.
Amongst the five on this list, Ross Taylor has played the maximum amount of franchise T20 cricket. He has played in over 50 IPL games. Apart from the Indian league, the batter has also plied his trade in the Caribbean Premier League.
from CricTracker https://ift.tt/C56jud0
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