5 Popular Cricketers: Even in the modern era, it is a dream for every player to make an appearance in test cricket, which is indeed the longest and most traditional format of the sport.
This red-ball format is an ultimate challenge that tests a player’s temperament, skills, and resilience for five days. Yet, it is surprising that some talented and successful cricketers of limited overs cricket have never played a single test match in their careers.
Whether it is because of the timing, team composition, high level of competition among players to secure a spot, or the increase in the number of 20-over leagues. These players have established their mark in One Day Internationals (ODIs), Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), and domestic leagues without even sporting the white jersey.
Here are those five famous cricketers whose careers blossomed in white ball cricket, but haven’t been able to rewrite their success in tests.
1. David Miller (SOUTH AFRICA):
David Miller is indeed one of the most destructive batters for South Africa in 308 international matches, including 178 ODIs and 130 T20Is since his debut in 2010. But he never got a chance to play test cricket for his nation.
Despite having a solid experience in First Class cricket, having scored 3,342 runs in 63 matches, which includes 6 centuries and 19 half-centuries, the right-handed batter wasn’t able to find his spot in the South African test batting line-up.
Earlier, Miller revealed how he kept himself motivated despite not being part of the Proteas test unit:
“Yes! I love to play test cricket and always enjoyed playing the red-ball format. But what is it exactly about?
Having achieved a lot in my white-ball career, I’m thankful to have played so many matches in the limited-overs format.
Moreover, I was not even selected for South Africa’s A squad. As there were talented players ahead of me, I decided to focus only on white-ball cricket. It was a difficult decision for me to make, but I had to give myself a chance to play for Proteas in a format that I enjoy a lot,” Miller said.
2. Yuzvendra Chahal (INDIA):
Yuzvendra Chahal is one such cricketer who is active in both ODIs and T20Is, but continues to get sidelined for the majority of international matches. Moreover, he played 152 international games and claimed 217 wickets (121 wickets in 72 ODIs and 96 wickets in 80 T20Is).
Despite claiming 127 wickets in 44 first-class matches, the 35-year-old still hasn’t made his test debut so far.
Here is what the leg spinner had to say as he keeps his hopes alive to represent Team India in tests soon:
“See! Similar to other cricketers, I too dreamt of representing my team at the international level and playing red-ball cricket. Even after achieving a lot in the limited overs, I need to establish my mark in the red-ball format as well.
I should try my level best in domestic and Ranji matches to claim the tagline of ‘Test Cricketer’ next to my name. Hopefully, I might get the chance to represent India in tests sooner,” Chahal said.
3. David Hussey (AUSTRALIA):
Former Australian batter David Hussey’s brother, Michael, received his maiden test cap at the age of 30. But, David, as an aggressive batter in white ball cricket, never got a chance to represent the national side in the longest format.
Out of 108 international matches, the 48-year-old Hussey amassed 1,796 runs in 69 ODIs and 756 runs in 39 T20Is. Also, the right-handed batter was one of the consistent run scorers in the first-class format, having scored 14,280 runs in 192 matches (average: 52.50, strike rate: 69.61, 100s: 10, and 50s: 57).
Back in 2011, David voiced his frustration at playing too much of test cricket and not getting any chance to represent his team in tests:
“Yeah! The frustration has been severe. Test cricket means a lot to me. After I become 45 or 50 years of age, I need to look back and feel proud that I have played at least half a dozen or even just one test match for my nation. So far, only 400 or so have achieved this honor to their name,” the 34-year-old Hussey said at that time.
4. Yusuf Pathan (INDIA):
Former Indian all-rounder cricketers Yusuf Pathan officially retired from all formats of international cricket in February 2021, but was unfortunate not to play a single test for his country.
Having made his last appearance for India back in March 2012, the 42-year-old played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is.
Also, his stats in first-class cricket have been impressive as a right-handed batter and off-spin bowler, having compiled 4,825 runs and 201 wickets in 100 matches.
In 2009, Yusuf had high dreams of making a test debut by saying: “Right now, I should practice well. Also, I need to prioritize domestic cricket matches, which increases my confidence levels to play test matches for India.
As every cricketer has the same dream, I am also looking forward to it, and I believe there is still more time left for that to happen,” the 26-year-old Pathan said at that time.
Also Read: From Gabba to The Oval: List of Team India’s Best Test Series Wins of All Time!
5. Kieron Pollard (WEST INDIES):
Unlike the other legendary cricketers, former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard wasn’t an expert in the longest format, having accumulated just 1,584 runs and 14 wickets in 27 first-class matches.
The 38-year-old scored 4,275 runs and claimed 97 wickets in 234 international matches. Out of which, he amassed 2,706 runs and 55 wickets in 123 ODIs as well as 1,569 runs and 42 wickets in 101 T20Is.
Back in 2014, here is what Pollard had to say to ESPNCricInfo about his dreams to play test cricket for the Windies:
“Certainly! Recalling the moment when I received my maiden call-up in the West Indies squad. At that time, I knew that I scored centuries in a 4-day cricket match. As I wasn’t a T20 specialist, I didn’t want to reveal what I wanted to achieve. All I do is silently tick the boxes and keep it to myself. Right now, I’ll reveal that I want to play tests for my nation. My ambition remains the same — to wear the white jersey for my country. Even though I played lots of ODIs and T20 cricket, the desire to represent the test team is still there for me,” the 27-year-old Pollard said at that time.
