Active Players with Over 100 Test Match Appearances

Test cricket is the true test of a cricketer as it demands the best from both the batters and bowlers to emerge successful. While representing his/her country in the traditional format is a dream for a player, getting a long run in the team requires great skill, patience, and endurance. With that being said, completing 100 Test matches is a remarkable achievement in a cricketer's career.

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In the history of men's cricket, a total of 76 players have played 100 red-ball matches, with England captain Ben Stokes the latest to achieve the milestone. He joined the elite list during the third match of the ongoing India vs England Test series. Legendary Sachin Tendulkar tops the chart with 200 Tests, the most number of matches played by any player on the planet.

On that note, let's take a look at who are the other active players who have played 100 or more Test matches.

Also Read: Top Run-Getters in Every Batting Position for India in Tests

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#8. Ben Stokes (England)

England Test captain Ben Stokes achieved this milestone feat in the ongoing third Test against India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. The southpaw is a valuable asset to the team with his captaincy and batting prowess. The all-rounder has scored over 6000 runs and took nearly 200 wickets in the format.  

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#7. Cheteshwar Pujara (India)

Cheteshwar Pujara is the 13th and second active Indian player to complete 100 Test matches. The veteran batter achieved this milestone in the second match of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy in Delhi. Pujara was dismissed for a duck in the first innings but smashed the winning boundary as India won by six wickets against Australia. India's No. 3 became only the second player after Ricky Ponting to hit the winning runs in their 100th Test match. The 36-year-old played a total of 103 Test matches for India but is currently out of action due to his recent poor form. 

#6. Angelo Mathews (Sri Lanka) 

Veteran all-rounder Angelo Mathews has represented Sri Lanka in 107 Test matches. The former Sri Lanka captain became the sixth player to play 100 Tests during the match against Pakistan in July 2022. Mathews scored 42 and 35 in the two innings respectively and played his part in Sri Lanka's massive 246-run victory. 

#5. Steve Smith (Australia) 

Modern-day great Steve Smith is the second Australian on this list. The former Aussie skipper has played 107 Test matches and has scored 9634 runs at an average of 58.04. The key member of the 'Fab 4' played his 100th match against England in the third Ashes Test in 2023. Smith (22 in 1st innings, 2 in 2nd) failed to contribute much to the scoreboard as Australia also lost the match by three wickets. 

#4. Virat Kohli (India) 

Former India captain Virat Kohli's 100th Test was in the first match of the home series against Sri Lanka in Mohali in March 2022. The right-hander became the 12th Indian player to achieve this feat. India won by an innings and 222 runs, Kohli's contribution being 45 off 76 balls. The batting maestro has played 113 Test matches so far and has scored 8848 runs at an average of 49.16. 

#3. Nathan Lyon (Australia)  

One of the finest spinners Australia have ever seen in Test cricket, Nathan Lyon has played 127 matches and taken 517 wickets. In January 2021, the off-spinner played in his 100th Test match during Australia's series against India. Notably, he is also the first bowler in history to play 100 consecutive Tests during the 2023 Ashes series against England. 

#2. Joe Root (England) 

Former England captain Joe Root played his 100th Test during the first Test against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. He celebrated the milestone in style by scoring a double hundred in the first innings. Root also made 40 runs in the second innings and helped England to win the game by 227 runs. The right-hander so far played 138 Test matches and has scored over 11000 runs at an average of 49.65. 

#1. James Anderson (England) 

Legendary fast bowler James Anderson is the only player in this list to have crossed 150 Test matches. The right-arm speedster has played 185 Tests so far and is eyeing to become only the second player in history to play 200 matches. With 695 Test wickets at an average of 26.39, Anderson is England's leading wicket-taker in all formats.