Flashback: Only player with 100 consecutive Test appearances
Playing 100 Tests for a nation, especially in the Test format, gives a special and proud feeling to a cricketer. It is every player’s dream to don the white jersey and reach that glorious landmark in their respective careers. But to play 100 Test matches on the bounce is a marvellous achievement with only six players have been able to grab the feat so far in the history of the ultimate format.
Let’s take a look at the players with 100 successive Test appearances (Only 6):
6. Nathan Lyon (100)
Australia’s premier spinner Nathan Lyon is the latest entrant in this elite list. He reached the landmark of playing 100 Test matches on the trot against England in the recently-concluded second Ashes Test. Playing at Lord’s, Lyon became the third Australian to achieve the momentous feat. Though his side won, Lyon had a forgettable outing as he suffered a calf injury and got ruled out of the remainder of the series. Notably, his streak began in the Manchester Test of the Ashes series held in 2013.
5. Brendon McCullum (101)
Former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum played 101 matches on the bounce in his career, with his epic streak began in the first of the three-match Test series against South Africa in Hamilton in 2004. His 101st Test turned out to be his last international match as he bid adieu to cricket against Australia in Christchurch in 2016.
4. Sunil Gavaskar (106)
Former India batter Sunil Gavaskar appeared in 106 successive Test matches in his celebrated career. The first of Gavaskar’s 106 matches came against West Indies at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai in 1975. His streak stretched until he appeared against Pakistan in Chennai in February 1987. He is the only Indian to have achieved this special feat.
3. Mark Waugh (107)
Former Australian cricketer Mark Waugh had 107 Tests on the trot in his career. Waugh’s streak began with the opening Test of the 1993 Ashes in England. In the first match in Manchester, Australia won the contest by a margin of 179 runs with Waugh scoring a fifty in it. His run ended with his last Test match against Pakistan in Sharjah in 2002.
2. Allan Border (153)
Legendary Australian batter Allan Border’s incredible run of 153 consecutive Tests s began against Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in 1979. Border’s streak continued until he featured in the last match of his career against South Africa in Durban in 1994. He is the only Australian with over 110 consecutive appearances in Test cricket.
1. Alastair Cook (159)
Former England skipper Alastair Cook played a staggering 159 Tests on the spin in his glorious career. Cook’s streak started against Sri Lanka at Lord’s in May 2006. Notably, he is still the highest run-getter for England in Test cricket. Cook’s 159th appearance turned out to be the last game of his fantastic career, against India at The Oval in September 2018.
