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5 oldest players to score a century in Tests

Frank Woolley
Frank Woolley became one of England’s best batsmen

Any sport is primarily meant for young men and that applies to cricket as well. That being said, in the early years of Test cricket, cricketers often played well into their late 30s and even early 40s.

However, that has changed over the decades and it is rare to see cricketers continuing beyond the age of 35 or 36. Over the course of cricket's history, plenty of cricketers have scored centuries after they have crossed over to the wrong side of the 30s and here is a look at 5 of the oldest players ever to have scored a century in Test cricket.


#5 42 years 61 days by Frank Woolley against South Africa at Manchester, 1929

He was one of the finest left-handed batsmen to have ever played the game and over the course of an international career spanning around a quarter of a century (1909-1934), Frank Woolley became one of England’s best batsmen. He was a delightful stroke-maker and was particularly known for his drives, cuts and steers to the leg side.

He played international cricket till he was 47 years old and holds the record for being the 5th oldest player to have ever scored a Test century when he slammed 154 against South Africa at Manchester. It was the 4th Test of the series and batting first England made 427, thanks to Woolley’s 154 and ended up winning the game by an innings and 32 runs. Frank Woolley was just over 42 years old at the time.

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