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Cricket has witnessed the legendary careers of countless athletes, and those who have stood firm on the field for decades are particularly remarkable. I will take you to learn about the 11 players with the longest professional careers in international cricket history, and experience their legendary cricket careers written with passion and perseverance
| Rank | Player | Countru | Career Span | Years & Days |
| 1 | Wilfred Rhodes | England | 1899–1930 | 30y 315d |
| 2 | Brian Close | England | 1949–1976 | 26y 356d |
| 3 | Frank Woolley | England | 1909–1934 | 25y 13d |
| 4 | George Headley | West Indies | 1930–1954 | 24y 10d |
| 5 | Sachin Tendulkar | India | 1989–2013 | 24y |
| 6 | Graham Gooch | England | 1973–1997 | 24y |
| 7 | John Traicos | South Africa/Zimbabwe | 1970–1993 | 23y 48d |
| 8 | Jack Hobbs | England | 1908–1930 | 22y |
| 9 | Collins Obuya | Kenya | 2001–2024 | 22y 221d |
| 10 | George Gunn | England | 1907–1930 | 22y 120d |
| 11 | Chris Gayle | West Indies | 1999–2021 | 22y |
Wilfred Rhodes' career spanned 30 years and 315 days (1899–1930), unmatched to this day. A left-arm spinner and batsman, he scored 2,325 runs and took 127 wickets in 58 Tests. At 52 years old, he became the oldest Test player, featuring in 1,110 first-class matches with 4,204 wickets—a timeless cricketing legacy.
Brian Close's career lasted 26 years and 356 days (1949–1976), including 22 Tests. Domestically, he amassed 19,000+ runs, showcasing enduring competitiveness.
Frank Woolley represented England for 25 years and 13 days(1909–1934). A versatile all-rounder, he scored 3,283 Test runsand took 83 wickets, earning acclaim as "one of cricket's greatest all-rounders" with 978 first-class matches, 58,969 runs, and 2,066 wickets.
George Headley's career spanned 24 years and 10 days (1930–1954). A dominant batsman with a Test average of 60.83, he became the first West Indian to score a double century. His 2,190 Test runs and post-war leadership cemented his legend.
Sachin Tendulkar's 24-year career (1989–2013) saw him score 34,357 international runs, holding records for 100 centuriesand 664 matches, establishing him as a global cricketing icon.
Graham Gooch's 24-year career (1973–1997) included 118 Tests and 8,900 runs. His 333 against India in 1990 remains iconic, alongside his 44,846 first-class runs.
John Traicos played for 23 years and 48 days (1970–1993). A spinner, he represented South Africa during apartheid and later Zimbabwe, adapting to political shifts while maintaining international consistency.
Jack Hobbs' 22-year career (1908–1930) yielded 5,410 Test runs at an average of 56.94. His 199 first-class centuriesremain a record, reflecting technical mastery.
Collins Obuya's career spanned 22 years and 221 days (2001–2024). A key figure in Kenya’s rise, he played 179 ODIs and T20Is, contributing with both bat and ball as an African cricket icon.
George Gunn represented England for 22 years and 120 days(1907–1930). A reliable opener, he scored 1,555 Test runs and excelled in county cricket, known for defensive solidity.
Chris Gayle's 22-year career (1999–2021) saw him become the first player to score 10,000 runs in T20s. His aggressive batting in 483 international matches made him a T20 pioneer.
Who is the longest cricketer in the world?
Wilfred Rhodes
Who has the longest career in Indian cricket history?
Sachin Tendulkar
What is the longest over in cricket history?
In international cricket, Mohammad Sami bowled a 17-ball over in the 2004 Asia Cup against Bangladesh, conceding 22 runs due to wides and no-balls. The record for the longest over in domestic cricket belongs to Bert Vance, who bowled 22 balls in a 1989 match .
Who is the oldest man in cricket history?
Wilfred Rhodes
