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Full list of most capped current Test cricketers

List of most capped current Test cricketers
by Wisden Staff 3 minute read

The 100-Test club is set to expand this week by four when India play England at Dharamsala and New Zealand play Australia at Christchurch. Let us take a look at who are the active cricketers who have played 100 or more Test matches.

Playing 100 Test matches is a benchmark in any cricketer’s career. In the history of cricket, 76 men have achieved the feat. England’s Colin Cowdrey was the first cricketer to breach the barrier against Australia during the 1968 Ashes. The list features 16 England players, the most by a Test-playing nation.

Ben Stokes became the latest entrant to the elusive club when he led England in the fourth Test against India in Ranchi.

With 186 Tests, James Anderson is the most-capped active Test cricketer and trails Sachin Tendulkar’s record tally of 200. In fact, Anderson along with his former teammate Stuart Broad (167 Tests), who retired in July 2023, are the only fast bowlers among the top ten cricketers to play the most number of Tests.

R Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow will play their landmark Test in the fifth Test of the ongoing series between India and England starting on March 7, while the New Zealand duo of Tim Southee and Kane Williamson will reach their milestone against Australia a day after in the second Test of the two-match series in Christchurch.

Active players with most Test appearances

James Anderson – 186
Joe Root – 139
Nathan Lyon – 128
Virat Kohli – 113
Steve Smith – 108
Angelo Mathews – 107
Ishant Sharma – 105
Cheteshwar Pujara – 103
Ben Stokes – 101
R Ashwin – 99
Jonny Bairstow – 99
Tim Southee – 99
Kane Williamson – 99

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