Top 10 list of players with longest careers in international cricket

One of the many achievements of Sachin Tendulkar was his exceptional longevity in international cricket, spanning 24 years. Tendulkar ranks fifth on the list of players with the longest careers in international cricket. However, what truly sets him apart is the sheer number of matches he played - a total of 664. Unlike many cricketers from earlier eras, such as the 1930s and 1940s, who had fewer opportunities to play international matches, Tendulkar consistently performed at the highest level across three decades.

Check out a list of players with the longest careers in international cricket. 

List of ten players with longest careers in international cricket

Wilfred Rhodes - 30 years and 315 days 

Wilfred Rhodes, a former England cricketer, holds the record for the longest career in international cricket. His international cricket career began on June 1, 1899, and spanned until April 12, 1930. Rhodes continued to represent Yorkshire and England well into his fifties. At the age of 52 years and 165 days, he played his last Test match in 1930, becoming the oldest player to feature in a Test.

During his career, Rhodes played 58 Test matches for England, scoring 2,325 runs and taking 127 wickets. He was the first English cricketer to achieve the milestone of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in Test matches.
Additionally, Rhodes holds two world records in first-class cricket - the most matches played (1,110), and the most wickets taken (4,204). 

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Brian Close - 26 years and 356 days

Brian Close, another former England cricketer, had a career spanning from July 23, 1959, to July 13, 1976. Despite the long period of 26 years and 355 days, he played in only 22 Test matches, scoring 887 runs. In the ODI format, he played three matches and scored 49 runs. While he was one of the greatest batsmen in first-class cricket, Close couldn't quite replicate that success on the international stage.

Close made his Test debut against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1959, becoming England's youngest-ever Test player at 18 years and 149 days old. By the time he played his final Test match, he was 44 years old. Close also captained England in seven Tests, winning six and drawing one. 

Frank Woolley - 25 years and 13 days 

Frank Woolley represented the England cricket team from August 9, 1909, to August 22, 1934. Throughout his 25-year career, he played in 64 Test matches, scoring 3,283 runs at an average of 36.07 and taking 83 wickets.

Woolley made his Test debut against Australia at The Oval in 1909. His international career spanned 25 years and 13 days. In first-class cricket, Woolley played 978 matches, amassing nearly 60,000 runs and over 2,000 wickets. He is regarded as one of the greatest all-rounders in the history of the game.

George Headley - 24 years and 10 days 

George Headley played 22 Test matches for the West Indies between January 11, 1930, and January 21, 1954, scoring 2,190 runs at an impressive average of 60.83. He was the first player to score a century in each innings of a Test match at Lord's and the first black cricketer to captain the West Indies in a Test.

Headley's career was interrupted by World War II, which affected all sports. Though he returned to Test cricket in 1948, injuries hindered his performance, and his form waned. Headley's final appearance for the West Indies was against England in 1954.

Sachin Tendulkar - 24 years and 1 day

Sachin Tendulkar, often regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time, had an illustrious career spanning 24 years. Making his debut for India in 1989 at the age of 16, he became the highest run-scorer in both Test and ODI cricket. He also holds the record for the most player of the match awards in international cricket.

After retiring from ODI cricket in 2012, Tendulkar retired from all forms of the game in November 2013 after playing his 200th Test match. Over his career, he played a total of 664 international matches, amassing 34,357 runs.

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John Traicos - 23 years and 48 days 

Spin bowler John Traicos represented both South Africa and Zimbabwe at the international level. He made his Test debut for South Africa in February 1970. However, after playing three matches in this series, South Africa was banned from international cricket due to apartheid.

Traicos later played for Zimbabwe, which gained Test status in 1992. He was selected for Zimbabwe's first-ever Test match, which was his first Test in 22 years and 222 days after his last Test match in 1970. His final appearance for Zimbabwe came at the age of 45 years and 304 days in 1993. Overall, he played only seven Tests and 27 ODIs. 

Jack Hobbs - 22 years and 233 days 

Jack Hobbs played 61 Test matches for England between 1908 and 1930, scoring 5,410 runs at an average of 56.94. He continued to play well into his 50s. At the age of 46, during the 1928-29 season, he became the oldest player to score a Test century. 

In first-class cricket, Hobbs holds the records for the most runs and centuries, with 61,760 runs and 199 centuries. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history.

Collins Obuya - 22 years and 221 days 

Collins Obuya, a former Kenyan cricketer, played from 2001 to 2024, retiring at the age of 42. Over his career, he played 104 ODIs and 75 T20Is.

Obuya amassed 2,044 runs in ODIs, making him one of only four Kenyan players to surpass 2,000 runs in the format. In T20Is, he scored 1,794 runs, the highest by any Kenyan batsman. Additionally, as a spin bowler, he took 60 international wickets.

A highlight of Obuya's career was his standout performance in the 2003 World Cup, where he played a crucial role in Kenya's journey to the semi-finals. He took 13 wickets at an average of 28.76, including 5 for 24 against Sri Lanka. 

George Gunn - 22 years and 120 days 

George Gunn was an English cricketer who played 15 Test matches between 1907 and 1930, averaging 40. 14 of his 15 Test matches were played outside England.

In domestic cricket, Gunn played for Nottinghamshire from 1902 to 1932, and is their all-time leading run-scorer.

A memorable moment in his career came in 1931 when, during a match against Warwickshire at Edgbaston, both he, aged 52, and his son, G.V. Gunn, scored centuries in the same innings.