Late bloomers: Top 5 current cricketers who made it big late in international cricket
Mike Hussey is crickets pin-up boy for those who look to have missed the boat at international cricket. The Australian amassed over 6,000 Test match runs despite not making his debut until the age of 30. He retired in 2013 so who of todays players are crickets late bloomers?They can be rather neatly divided into two categories. There are those that made a relatively early debut before being cast into the wilderness only to enjoy a much later and much more bountiful second flowering. Then there are those who spent years toiling away in domestic cricket before finally getting their chance to bloom.This list names just five but, among those who have missed out are Brad Haddin, George Bailey, Ryan Harris, Faf du Plessis and Abdur Rehman.
#1 Zulfiqar Babar
Pakistan left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar most definitely belongs to the aforementioned second category of late bloomers. He had to wait until the age of 34 to make his international debut in a Twenty20 International against the West Indies in 2013. It was worth the wait, however, as he took three wickets and then hit the winning runs by striking the final ball of the contest for six off Marlon Samuels.
Babar then made a Test debut later that year before being handed a One-Day International cap at the age of 35 last month against Australia, becoming the second oldest Pakistani to debut in the format.
A year on from his Test debut and Babar played a starring role in Pakistan gaining a historic Test series victory over Australia. Reflecting on the wait he had to endure, he told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I have never got that feeling that I should have played before and if that would have happened I would have taken more wickets. I always hoped that I will play for Pakistan and work hard. As soon as I got the opportunity I performed."