5 most-capped ODI players who haven’t played Test cricket
Test cricket is unique. It is a test of a player's tenacity, tactics and above all grit. Test matches can often last up to five days, something that is unique, and ingenious.
Players give Test cricket quite some importance. There are notable examples of players withstanding severe punishment on their bodies to stand up for their caps in the longest format of the game.
There have been a few players who have featured in limited-overs cricket but have failed to make it to the Test team. Here are five of the most-capped ODI stars who haven’t played a single Test.
#5 Yusuf Pathan (57 ODIs)
Yusuf Pathan made a name for himself as one of the hardest hitters of the cricket ball. He made his international debut in the 2007 World T20 final, playing as an opener after Virender Sehwag got injured. He soon made his ODI debut, in 2008. Though he wasn’t consistent, the selectors persisted with him as they considered him a finisher and handy bowler.
While Yusuf’s strike-rate in ODIs was an impressive 113.6, his average of 27 didn’t do enough justice to the talent he possessed. Due to his inconsistency, Pathan could never break into the Test team. He has played 57 ODIs and 22 T20Is for India but has never featured in whites.
#4 David Hussey (69 ODIs)
The younger brother of Mr. Cricket, Michael Hussey, David Hussey made his debut in 2008 after scoring tons of runs in domestic cricket. He scored massively in Australia and County Cricket in England. An aggressive batsman with a strong bottom-handed technique, the younger Hussey could play breath-taking strokes and take the game away from the opposition.
Despite scoring more than 14,000 runs in his First-Class career, David never got a chance in the longest format of the game. With a First-Class average of around 53, it would be Hussey’s biggest disappointment not wearing the baggy green cap on his head.
David represented Australia in 108 internationals (69 ODIs and 39 T20Is) before retiring in January 2013. He continued to play in various T20 leagues across the globe before calling time on his cricketing career after last season’s Big Bash.
#3 Ian Harvey (73 ODIs)
There are many cricketers at the international level who play for a long period of time. But once they retire or exit the spotlight, it’s tough to recall their feats. Ian Harvey falls into that category. He contributed to Australia's cause but did not have a fifer or a One-Day International (ODI) 50 to his name, despite playing 73 matches.
He was a tricky bowler who had the uncanny ability to pick up crucial wickets. Harvey possessed one of the most deceptive slower balls in world cricket. He was a handy batsman as well in the lower order.
He failed to represent Australia in Test cricket though as he was around when Australia’s Test team was settled and dominating world cricket.
#2 James Hopes (85 ODIs)
A genuine all-rounder who combined brisk medium-pace with attacking batting, James Hopes was one of Australia's most versatile players. His batting and bowling often flew under the radar, but he contributed whenever the team needed him.
Hopes played international cricket for five years, featuring in 85 ODIs and 12 T20Is. Despite being one of the most prolific all-rounders, Hopes never donned the whites for Australia. One of the main reasons could be Australia’s settled line-up and a strong bench. Hopes, like many other players, continued to play in T20 leagues before retiring in January 2016.
#1 Kieron Pollard (113 ODIs)
During the Champions League T20 in 2009, the world sat up and took notice of Kieron Pollard when he decimated New South Wales with an 18-ball 54 to help his team Trinidad & Tobago get over the line. Pollard is not only a destructive middle-order batsman but also a canny and useful medium-pace bowler, with subtle variations.
Pollard has represented West Indies in 113 ODIs and 73 T20Is, but he has never got a chance in the longest format of the game. After he was dropped in 2015, he made an impressive comeback to the national team, armed with an improved defensive technique and the stomach for a fight.
Several issues creeped up during Pollard's prime playing career with the West Indies cricket board. At that time, several players had vocalised their opinion, and they even had abandoned a series against India in 2014.
With Pollard way past his prime and the West Indies team getting back together with Jason Holder as their captain, it would seem that the curtains have been pulled on Kieron Pollard's Test match career.