56 years ago, Colin Cowdrey became the first player ever to play 100 Tests: since then, the club continues to be an unofficial metric of Test greatness.
This week, four more players reached the milestone, taking the overall number to 80. Here’s a list of players currently active, bundled into an XI.
Cheteshwar Pujara
100th Test v Australia, 2023
One of the greatest number threes of the game, Pujara opens here for the team’s sake, much like he did for India on occasion. At 36, Pujara has been pipped by younger options in the current Indian team, but will be remembered as India’s finest grafters. At No.3, only Rahul Dravid scored more runs for India.
Steve Smith
100th Test v England, 2023
The lack of options elsewhere forces Smith’spromotion to opener, a role he’s currently migrated to in Australia. The ever-shuffling superstar, Smith morphed from a leg-spinner who could bat to one of his country’s finest, and currently sits fourth on Australia’s all-time run list.
Kane Williamson
100th Test v Australia, 2024
A new entrant to the 100-Test club, Williamson is arguably New Zealand’s greatest ever: no one has scored more runs or hit more centuries for them. The last two years have been interrupted by injuries, but his home record remains impeccable, and an overall average of 55 puts him in the all-time great bracket.
Virat Kohli
100th Test v Sri Lanka, 2022
Currently away from international duty, Kohliis a true all-format superstar, and currently sits fourth on India’s all-time run and centuries list. He has seven double centuries – the fourth-most by anyone – and was also the fifth-fastest to the milestone of 7000 Test runs.
Joe Root
100th Test v India, 2021
Steadily closing in on Alastair Cook’s tally for most Test runs by an English batter, Root remains a vital presence in their camp. Between 2013 and 2023, he averaged below 40 in only one calendar year. Two more centuries will level him with Alastair Cook’s century record for England. In 2021, he also became the first batter to score a double ton in his 100th Test.
Ben Stokes
100th Test v India, 2024
A generational cricketer, Stokes is arguably England’s finest Test all-rounder. The current Test captain, he is also an ODI and T20 World Cup winner, Stokes gives this XI an extra pace option, while also being a dream No.6.
Jonny Bairstow
100th Test v India, 2024
The wicketkeeper in this XI, Bairstow‘s Test journey hasn’t probably been as straightforward as the rest: in and out of the side, he’s made multiple comebacks as a specialist batter and keeper. He takes the gloves in this XI as well.
R Ashwin
100th Test v England, 2024
Another brand new entrant to the club, Ashwin has been India’s spin-bowling beacon for over a decade, and still continues to go strong. Recently having reached 500 wickets, Ashwin is statistically only behind Anil Kumble among Indian bowlers.
Tim Southee
100th Test v Australia, 2024
Having debuted in 2008, Southee has had one of the longest careers around, capping it off with the milestone of 100 Tests alongside long-standing teammate Kane Williamson. Before them, only four other Kiwi players have clocked 100 appearances.
James Anderson
By far the most capped specialist Test bowler, and only behind Sachin Tendulkar on the all-time list of Test appearances, Anderson continues to be a regular feature for England at 41. He shares the new-ball duties with Southee in this XI.
Nathan Lyon
100th Test v India, 2021
The other half of a blockbuster spin attack in this team, Lyon has enjoyed his status as Australia’s first-choice spinner for well over a decade now. Together, the two spinners in this XI have more than a 1,000 Test wickets. What else do you need?
12th man: Angelo Mathews
Ishant Sharma is also an active player, although he hasn’t played Tests since November 2021.
