Test: In a tight international schedule, it is very hard for a player to miss a game. In modern-day cricket, players are taking rest to keeping playing more. But there was a time when cricket was not played that much, and only a few international games used to take place in a calendar year.
And this game already has some weird and unique facts. In this article, we will cover one such unique record in this game. Here we will cover the longest gap for a player between two test appearances for his country. This will surely surprise the cricket fans, so let’s check.
5. Jaydev Unadkat (India) – 12 years and 6 days
India’s pacer Jaydev Unadkat is fifth on the list. The pacer made his test debut for India on December 16, 2010 against South Africa in Centurion. But after that, he didn’t get another chance. Unadkat went wicketless in his debut game. However, the pacer made his comeback on the test side on December 22, 2012, after 12 years and 6 days. He has the longest streak for India in Test cricket.
4. Mick Commaille (South Africa)- 14 years and 92 Days
Mick Commaille was one of the rare athletes who represented his country in two different games at the highest level. Commaille played cricket and amateur football for South Africa. He made his test debut in January 1910 against England in Johannesburg. He started as a number eight and was later moved up in the top order. His first series against England was the first time he played for South Africa. However, then made his comeback into the test side for South Africa in June 1924. The gap between his two test appearances was due to the First World War in 1923–24.
3. Younis Ahmed (Pakistan) – 17 years & 111 days
Former Pakistani batter Younis Ahmed is third on the list. He made his test debut for Pakistan in October 1969 against New Zealand in Karachi. Later, he was banned by the Pakistan Cricket Board because he visited South Africa in 1973, during their suspension from cricket. His ban by the PCB ended in 1979. After a 104-test absence, he returned to the Pakistani test team in February 1978. In his 18-year-long test career, he played only four tests.
2. George Gunn (England)- 17 years & 316 days.
Former English batsman George Gunn holds the second longest streak on this list. Gunn made his first appearance for England on December 13, 1907, and he also scored (119) a century in his debut inning. But his career was put on hold due to the First World War (28 July 1914–11 November 1918). Then he couldn’t perform as well as he would have liked and faded away. But later, Gunn was picked for the English test squad on the four-match tour of the West Indies in January 1930. He was at 50 years age at that time. Gunn played 15 tests and scored 1120 runs with two centuries and seven half-centuries.
1. John Traicos (South Africa) – 22 years & 222 days
South Africa’s suspension from cricket occurred in 1970, which affected a number of international cricketers from South Africa. However, they made their comeback to the game on November 10, 1991, with a game against India. But that gap was enough to end many cricket careers. However, John Traicos was not one of them. He was one of the few players who played for two countries (South Africa and Zimbabwe). He made his test debut on February 5, 1970, against Australia. But during the suspension, he switched to Zimbabwe to pursue his cricket career. On October 18-22, 1992, Zimbabwe played their first ever test, which was his second appearance in over 22 years. He took 18 wickets in four tests for Zimbabwe.
Longest Gap between two Test matches in Career
| Player | Team | From | To | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| John Traicos | South Africa | 10 Mar 1970 | 18 Oct 1992 | 22 Year 122 Days |
| George Gunn | England | March 1912 | 11 Jan 1930 | 17 Years 316 Days |
| Younis Ahmed | Pakistan | 2 Nov 1969 | 21 Feb 1987 | 17 Years 111 Days |
| Mick Commaille | South Africa | 14 Mar 1910 | 14 June 1924 | 14 Years 92 Days |
| Jaydev Unadkat | India | 16 Dec 2010 | 22 Dec 2022 | 12 Years 6 Days |