5 cricketers who have played most Tests since launch of franchise T20 leagues

With the inception of the Indian Premier League in 2008, the way cricket is viewed and played has seen a major transformation. Up until the mid-2000s, cricket was primarily about two formats, Tests and One-day Internationals. However, the latter half of the decade saw a brand-new format emerge. A much more enthralling, high-octane, and fast-paced format, T20 cricket. The first-ever World Cup of the new and shortest format of the game, in 2007, gave it some much-desired global attention. However, it was the emergence of India’s domestic T20 league, that potentially revolutionized the sport.

The IPL had everything, the best of global cricketing stars, brands, film stars, industrialists that made it a grand event. The tournament which has since only gotten bigger and grander has played inspiration to many other domestic T20 tournaments around the world. From the BBL in Australia to the PSL in Pakistan, almost every major cricket-playing nation now boasts of a league of its own.

However, the success of the format and the glitter that surrounds it has not deterred the true admirers of the sport from its purest form, Test Cricket. The longest format of the game is played across five days in difficult conditions making it arguably the most challenging assignment for a cricketer. The T20 culture has given the world of cricket many new stars and has also seen a few players playing out their careers primarily as T20 journeymen. However, there are still a large number of cricketers who have had lengthy Test careers even post the emergence of many T20 leagues across the globe. Here’s looking at the-

Top 5 players who have played the most Tests since the inception of franchise T20 leagues

1. James Anderson

Rated by many as arguably one of the greatest fast bowlers to have played the game, England’s James Anderson sits at the top of this list with 153 Test matches. Anderson in the said number of matches has picked up a monumental total of 594 Test wickets at an average of 25.67. He has picked 29 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket hauls in the said period.

The star bowler has been one of the greatest cricketers to have emerged out of England. With his seam & swing abilities, Anderson has troubled many great batters around the world. Though he has been good in all conditions, the right-arm bowler has achieved the most success bowling at home, in English conditions.

It is however fair to say, Anderson has not taken to franchise T20 cricket much like his peers. For the longest of times, English cricketers were more involved in national duty than playing league cricket. Thus, with the workload being managed well for the bowler, it has helped Anderson achieve the feats that he so far has.