5 Oldest players to score a century in One Day Internationals
It is often said that limited overs cricket is a young man's game and, for all intents and purposes it is a fair statement, considering the demands that the game imposes on a player. Scoring a century in 50 overs involves a lot of running, hitting prowess and, stamina that might be beyond the physical attributes of an older player.
In addition to that, there is the matter of diminishing fitness, eye-sight and bat speed. Hence, it is an achievement if a player ends up becoming one of the oldest ever to score a century in ODI cricket. Here is a look at some of those cricketers who defied the handicap of their age and managed to get to three figures in ODI cricket.
#5 - 38 years 327 days by Sachin Tendulkar against Bangladesh at Dhaka, 2012
For most of his career, Indian legend Sachin Tendulkar was the world's leading batsman and is still considered among the greatest players to have played in ODIs. However, this was not one of his vintage knocks and, much of it had to do with the fact that he was nearing the stupendous record of 100 international centuries.
On the other hand, the fact that he was getting older, may have also been a factor and at 38 years and 327 days, it may have been a very tough ask for him to bat for as long as he did.
Tendulkar consumed 147 deliveries to score 114. He hit 12 fours and 1 six and remains one of his slower efforts in limited overs cricket but along with the coveted record, he also got the distinction of being the 5th oldest cricketer to score an ODI century. India made 289 for 5 but the hosts chased the total down with ease.