Brendan Taylor’s Comeback Sparks Look At Test Cricket’s Longest Careers: Full List Inside

Jatin

Brendan Taylor and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @TUnlimitedd, @149inEdgbaston/x.com]Brendan Taylor and Sachin Tendulkar [Source: @TUnlimitedd, @149inEdgbaston/x.com]

The crowd in Bulawayo rose as one when Zimbabwe veteran, Brendan Taylor, dressed in white, took guard once again after what felt like an eternity. Almost four years after he last wore the Test cap, Taylor is back, having served a long ban for failing to report a fixing approach.

At 39, Taylor is now chasing history. With just 62 runs left to reach the elusive 10,000-run milestone in international cricket, this comeback could become the fairytale fans never saw coming.

But there is something even more remarkable. Taylor made his Test debut in May 2004. Now in 2025, he is still padding up and that is a flex very few can boast. A career spanning 21 years and 93 days in the longest format? That is a badge of honour only cricket’s toughest warriors wear.

So in honour of his marathon career, let’s take a look at the top 5 players with the longest careers in Test cricket.

5. Sachin Tendulkar: 15 Nov 1989 – 16 Nov 2013 | 24 Years, 1 Day

India’s batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was built different. Debuting as a 16-year-old boy wonder in 1989, he signed off 24 years later as a cricketing god. No one else has played 200 Tests, and that is just the start of his jaw-dropping numbers.

He scored a mind-boggling 15,921 runs at a stunning average of 53.78 with 51 hundreds and 68 fifties. From raw teenage prodigy to elder statesman of Indian cricket, Tendulkar's career was as illustrious as it gets.

4. George Headley: 11 Jan 1930 – 21 Jan 1954 | 24 Years, 10 Days

George Headley may have only played 22 Tests but don’t let that fool you. This West Indian genius had to fight through racism, world wars and long international gaps.

But when he did get a game, he made it count, smashing 2190 runs at a staggering average of 60.83. He hit 10 centuries in just 40 innings, earning the nickname “The Black Bradman.” Even two decades apart, he turned up for West Indies like a boss.

3. Frank Woolley: 9 Aug 1909 – 22 Aug 1934 | 25 Years, 13 Days

If cricket had an artist, it was Frank Woolley. The English all-rounder was all class and elegance: batting, bowling, fielding, you name it. In 64 Tests, he scored 3283 runs with 5 hundreds and also took 83 wickets with his left-arm spin.

Woolley’s Test career spanned a mind-boggling 25 years and he played over 1000 first-class matches in all, scoring more than 62,000 runs. Back when tours lasted months and travel was by ship, Woolley kept delivering.

2. Brian Close: 23 Jul 1949 – 13 Jul 1976 | 26 Years, 356 Days

Brian Close made his Test debut at just 18, the second youngest ever for England, and played his last at 45. That is almost 27 years between his first and last Tests. He only played 22 Tests thanks to England’s selection circus and his confrontational style but his story is legendary.

Known for standing fearlessly at short leg against the fastest bowlers, Close soaked up blows like a champ. He may not have piled on runs (he made 887 at 25.34) but he was heart, fight and old-school toughness wrapped in one.

1. Wilfred Rhodes: 1 Jun 1899 – 12 Apr 1930 | 30 Years, 315 Days

England’s ageless wonder, Wilfred Rhodes defined longevity. He made his debut in the 19th century and played his last Test at age 52. Rhodes played 58 Tests, scored 2325 runs, and took 127 wickets with his left-arm spin.

From being a specialist bowler to finishing as an opening batter alongside Jack Hobbs, his evolution was unreal. His first Test partner was WG Grace; his last was with players who later fought in World War II. It wasn’t just a career, it was a timeline.