Most Test matches played in cricket history

It's often said that Test cricket is the best cricket among all the formats. Test cricket checks a player's long run in the game. It needs a lot of patience and encouragement to understand the game's condition. The players who match all the checklists are those who end up playing the most matches for their country. James Anderson overtook former Aussie skippers Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh to become the second player after the cricket GOD Sachin Tendulkar to be featured in most tests in test cricket's history. However, SportzPoint is here to give you the list of those players who have played the most test matches in cricket's history.

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#6. Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 164 Tests

Former West Indies legendary batsman of the longest format, Shivnarine Chanderpaul comes at number six on this list of players who played the most test matches in their career. Chanderpaul has played 164 tests in his career, in which he has aggregated 11,867 runs with an average of 51.37. In 280 innings Shivnarine has smashed 66 half-centuries and 30 centuries in his Test cricket career. Meanwhile, he has also registered the highest score of 203 in the format. Chanderpaul has retired from Test cricket back in the year 2015 as he last played his last test against England in that year.

#5. Jacques Kallis | 166 Tests

Jacques Kallis is often known for his all-round skills in the different formats of the game. Kallis has one of the best all-rounders in world cricket as he comes at fifth place on this list. Jacques Kallis has featured in 166 tests for his country South Africa and proves what he can do with both the bat and bowl. Meanwhile, in those 166 tests, Kallis has aggregated 13,289 runs with an impressive average of 55.37 and also took 292 wickets in 272 innings. So, no doubt that he will always remain as one of the greatest all-rounders of the game. Kallis has registered 58 half-centuries and 45 centuries and also scalped five five-fors in his Test career.

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#4. Steve Waugh | 168 Tests

Former Australia skipper Steve Waugh has played 168 tests in his test career and features the fourth spot on this list of players who have played the most test matches in cricket's history. Meanwhile, Steve Waugh is also one of the greatest captains in Test cricket's history. Waugh has the best winning percentage as a captain in test cricket. Meanwhile, in 168 tests, Waugh has aggregated 10,927 runs with an average of 50.59 and also scalped 92 test wickets. Steve Waugh has registered 50 half-centuries and 32 centuries and entitled the highest score of 200 runs in his Test career.

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#3. Ricky Ponting | 168 Tests

Another former Australian skipper and one of the greats in the world of cricket, Ricky Ponting has come on this list of players who have played the most test matches in their career. Ricky Ponting has also played the same amount of matches just like Steve Waugh played. Both of them have featured in 168 tests for Australia. The former skipper has also had a good win percentage in Tests that he has captained. In 168 tests, Ponting has aggregated 13,378 runs with an impressive average of 51.85. meanwhile, Ricky Ponting has also registered 62 half-centuries and 41 centuries and the highest score of 257 in his Test career.

#2. James Anderson | 169* Tests

England ace pacer James Anderson has played 169 tests so far and thus features at the second place on this list of players who have played the most test matches in their career. James Anderson is currently playing his 169th test at Sydney in the ongoing Ashes test series. Meanwhile, he overtook former Aussie captains Ricky Ponting (168) and Steve Waugh (168) and became the second player with the most test matches in crickets history. Anderson is just after the legend Sachin Tendulkar, who has played 200 Tests in 25 years his long career. Meanwhile, in his 169 tests, Anderson has picked 640 wickets with a decent average of 26.53. He has registered 31 fifers and three 10 fers in his Test career.

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#1. Sachin Tendulkar | 200 Tests

The GOD of Cricket and cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar comes at the top spot on this list as Sachin featured in 200 Tests for India in his 25 years long career. Sachin is miles ahead in comparison with the other contenders of this list. Although, James Anderson is just 31 tests away to touch Sachin's 200 tests record. Sachin has been called the GOD of Cricket as he smashed over 34k runs and scored against all odds in his cricket career. In 200 Tests, Sachin has aggregated 15,921 runs in 329 innings with a decent average of 53.79. Sachin has smashed 68 half-centuries and 51 centuries in his 25 years long Test career.

N.B: The stats are accurate as of 06/01/2022.