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List of England Players Who Have Played 100 Tests (Or More)

James Anderson (L) with Ben Stokes (R). (X.com)James Anderson (L) with Ben Stokes (R). (X.com)

On Thursday, England Test skipper Ben Stokes got added to an elite, brief yet magnificent list of players who have played 100 Test matches as he takes the field in Rajkot for the third Test of the five-match series.

This milestone stands as a testament not only to Ben Stokes but also to players akin to him, honouring their body of work, consistency in the format, endurance, and most importantly, their fitness, as they managed to play 100 Tests for their country.

As Stokes joins the elite ranks, he becomes the 16th English cricketer to achieve this feat, following in the footsteps of James Anderson, who holds the record for the most Test appearances for England. Among other active English cricketers, Joe Root also boasts over 100 Test appearances.

Since the inception of cricket in England, only 16 out of 712 players bestowed with the international Test cap have represented England in over 100 Test matches.

Colin Cowdrey (114)

Colin Cowdrey. (AP)Colin Cowdrey. (AP)

Cowdrey began his Test journey in 1954 against Australia and subsequently represented England in 114 Test matches over a remarkable 21-year career span. His 100th Test appearance unfolded against Australia in the Ashes series of 1968 at Edgbaston, while he concluded his Test career against the same opposition in 1975. He became the first cricketer to play a total of 100 Tests.


Sir Geoff Boycott (108)

Sir Geoff Boycott. (X.com)Sir Geoff Boycott. (X.com)

In a distinguished and lengthy career, Geoff Boycott participated in a total of 108 Test matches, amassing 8114 runs at an exceptional average of 47.72. With 22 centuries and 42 fifties to his name, Boycott left a significant mark with the bat. He made his Test debut against Australia in Nottingham in 1964 and reached his 100th Test match against the same opposition at Lord’s in 1981. Boycott's illustrious Test career concluded with his final match against India in 1982.


David Gower (117)

David Gower. (X.com)David Gower. (X.com)

Gower started his Test career against Pakistan at Edgbaston in 1978. Over the course of 14 years, from 1978 to 1992, David Gower graced the field in a total of 117 Test matches for England. Renowned as one of England's finest, Gower accumulated 8231 runs, featuring 18 Test centuries, in 204 innings. 


Sir Ian Botham (102)

Sir Ian Botham. (X.com)Sir Ian Botham. (X.com)

The legendary all-rounder, who played a total of 102 matches for his country, began his Test career in 1977 against Australia, where he made an immediate impact by claiming figures of 5/74, helping England gain the upper hand. 

His 100th Test appearance occurred against New Zealand at Basin Reserve in 1992. Throughout his illustrious career, the all-rounder accumulated 5200 runs and took 383 wickets for England in Test cricket. However, Botham's influence on the cricketing world extends far beyond mere statistics.


Graham Gooch (118)

Graham Gooch. (AP)Graham Gooch. (AP)

Graham Gooch's illustrious Test career spanned 20 years, during which he graced the field in 118 Test matches, accumulating a staggering total of 8900 runs. Known for his prolific batting prowess, Gooch registered 20 Test centuries, including a double century and a triple century. His 100th Test appearance took place against India at the Eden Gardens in 1993.


Alec Stewart (133)

Alec Stewart. (X.com)Alec Stewart. (X.com)

Alec Stewart, renowned as one of the premier wicketkeeper-batters in the world, showcased his talent in 133 Test matches for England. Stewart's Test journey commenced against West Indies at Kingston in 1990, with his 100th Test appearance occurring against West Indies at Old Trafford in 2000. 


Mike Atherton (115)

Mike Atherton. (AP)Mike Atherton. (AP)

Atherton's Test debut took place against Australia in Nottingham during the Ashes series of 1989. He went on to play 115 Test matches for England, amassing 7728 runs with 16 centuries across 212 innings. The former English skipper reached the milestone of his 100th Test against West Indies at Old Trafford in 2000, and he concluded his Test career versus Australia in 2001.


Graham Thorpe (100)

Graham Thorpe (PA Photos)Graham Thorpe (PA Photos)

Thorpe debuted in Test cricket against arch-rivals Australia during an Ashes test at Nottingham in 1992. His 100th Test appearance occurred against Bangladesh in 2005 at Chester-Le-Street. Despite his prolific career, Thorpe didn't extend his Test cricket journey beyond that milestone. With 6744 runs scored in 179 innings, Thorpe stood out as one of England's most dependable middle-order batters during his tenure in Test cricket.


Sir Andrew Strauss (100)

Sir Andrew Strauss. (X.com)Sir Andrew Strauss. (X.com)

A reliable left-handed batter at the top of the order, Strauss began his career with a bang by becoming only the fourth player ever to score a century on debut against New Zealand at Lord’s. He continued his impressive form on his first overseas tour in South Africa, scoring another century and 94 not out, quickly establishing himself as a top player.

In August 2012, Strauss announced his retirement from cricket, bidding farewell to the game at the same venue where he made his debut. The former England opener played 100 test matches, amassing 7037 runs in 178 innings, including 21 centuries and 27 fifties.


Kevin Pietersen (104)

Kevin Pietersen. (X.com)Kevin Pietersen. (X.com)

Kevin Pietersen, known for his flamboyance, entered Test cricket for England during the iconic 2005 Ashes series against Australia at Lord’s. Pietersen reached the milestone of 100 Tests against Australia at Gabba in Brisbane during the Ashes series of 2013-14. The controversial KP amassed 8181 runs at an impressive average of 47.21, which included 23 centuries and 35 fifties.


Sir Alastair Cook (161)

Sir Alastair Cook. (X.com)Sir Alastair Cook. (X.com)

Before Joe Root emerged as a force in English cricket, it was Alastair Cook who held the mantle of the finest English batter. Cook's ability to score runs against all types of bowling attacks and in various conditions earned him widespread acclaim and played a pivotal role in elevating England to a dominant force in Test cricket. 

Retiring from international cricket after a illustrious career, Cook left a lasting legacy as England's leading run-scorer in Test cricket, amassing 12,472 runs in 161 matches. His 100th Test appearance was a memorable encounter against arch-rivals Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground during the Ashes series in 2017. 


Ian Bell (118)

Ian Bell. (X com)Ian Bell. (X com)

Known for his elegant cover drives, Bell was a prominent figure in England's Test XI during his playing days, featuring in over 100 matches for his country. Making his Test debut against West Indies at The Oval in 2004, Bell's stylish batting in the middle order left a lasting impression. His milestone 100th Test was against Sri Lanka at Headingley in 2014, and he concluded his Test career against Pakistan at Sharjah in November 2015, amassing a total of 7727 runs in 118 matches.


James Anderson (184)

James Anderson. (X.com)James Anderson. (X.com)

Just like a fine wine, Anderson, although he has touched his 40s, continues to excel with the red ball in hand. While Stokes is on the verge of 100 Tests, Anderson, aged 41, is only 16 matches away from playing 200 Tests for his country. Making his Test debut against Zimbabwe at Lord’s in 2003, Anderson has defied age and fatigue throughout his illustrious 21-year career. He holds the record for the most Test matches played by an English cricketer, having represented his country in 184 matches. Anderson's impressive tally of 695 Test wickets, accumulated from 2003 to 2024, ranks him third among the leading wicket-takers in Test cricket history.


Stuart Broad (167)

Stuart Broad. (X.com)Stuart Broad. (X.com)

Broad bid adieu to Test and international cricket during the Ashes series against Australia last year, culminating a remarkable career that spanned 167 Test matches. Known for his potent right-arm pace bowling, Broad amassed an impressive tally of 604 wickets during his Test career from 2007 to 2023. His journey began against Sri Lanka at the SSC, Colombo in 2007, and his milestone 100th Test occurred against India at the SCA Stadium in Rajkot in 2017, coincidentally the same venue where Ben Stokes will mark his 100th Test.


Joe Root (137)

Joe Root becomes 16th player from Eng to play 100th Test (AP Photos)Joe Root becomes 16th player from Eng to play 100th Test (AP Photos)

Hailed as one of England's finest batters, Root has made a significant impact in Test cricket, featuring in 137 matches and continuing to excel. Root's remarkable journey began in 2012, and he has already surpassed the 10,000-run mark, indicating his potential to set numerous records in the future. Root's 100th Test milestone was against India at Chepauk in Chennai, where he achieved the unique feat of scoring a double century. With a tally of 11468 runs in Test cricket, Root's legacy as a prolific run-scorer continues to grow.


Ben Stokes (100*)

Stokes with India's captain Rohit Sharma ahead of his 100th Test (AP)Stokes with India's captain Rohit Sharma ahead of his 100th Test (AP)

England's miracle man, Ben Stokes, is undoubtedly one of the biggest match-winners of his generation. Over the years, Stokes has played countless memorable knocks for his country in Test cricket. From 136* at Headingley to Cape Town's 258 - the English captain has done his bit to revolutionise the game, especially by inventing Bazball - a brand new way to play Test cricket.

Debuted in 2013 in Adelaide against Australia, the young man from Christchurch stamped his authority with an Ashes century in his second Test match. Soon, Stokes became an integral part of the English setup. And 10 years later, during the Rajkot Test against India, the English captain completed 100-Test mark in February, 2024.

Jonny Bairstow

Jonny Bairstow becomes 17th player from Eng to play 100th Test [Ap]Jonny Bairstow becomes 17th player from Eng to play 100th Test [Ap]

Jonny Bairstow's milestone of reaching 100 Test appearances places him amongst an elite group of England cricketers. From his debut at Lord's in 2012 against the West Indies to his landmark match at the HPCA stadium, Bairstow's journey has been marked with resilience and skill. His achievement aligns him with just 16 other distinguished players who have donned the England cap for a century of Tests or more. 

Over the years, Bairstow has amassed an impressive record, accumulating 5974 runs at an average of 36.42, embellished with 12 centuries and 26 fifties.