Most Tests missed between two appearances

To check a player’s consistency, one sees how long they have played the game. There have been cases when players don’t return to the game after a long break, but there have also been instances when players earned a place back after waiting for years. On that note, let us look at the three players who missed the most number of matches between two Tests appearances.

3. Martin Bicknell (England)- 114 Tests

England’s Martin Bicknell represented his side for 13 years in international cricket but managed to play just four Tests. Making his debut in July 1993, he played the next game in August 1993 and missed 114 Tests in between. He got a chance after 10 years and 12 days when he represented England again in Tests in August 2003 against South Africa.

2. Jaydev Unadkat (India)- 118 Tests

The most recent name to join this list is Jaydev Unadkat. He made his debut in 2010 against South Africa and was dropped. After a gap of exactly 12 years and two days, he got a chance to represent India again. The 31-year-old missed a total of 118 Tests but was remarkable upon his return as he picked up his maiden Test wicket while playing against Bangladesh in what was just his second Test match.

1. Gareth Batty (England)- 142 Tests

Former England cricketer Gareth Batty missed 142 Test matches and was out of the team’s mix for 11 years and 137 days, from June 5, 2005 to October 20, 2016. Batty made his debut when England played their first-ever Test against Bangladesh in 2003 but was dropped immediately. He was 39 years old while making his comeback in 2016, and he ended his career after representing the team in nine Tests.