Graeme, Graham, Gatting and more – the 7 most capped List A players of all time

Graeme Hick bats
Graeme Hick has played the most List A matches in the long history of the format.

With the Champions Trophy on the horizon, due to start in February, focus and attention is starting to turn to the 50-over game.

For so long it was seen as the saviour of cricket, but now, with the advent of T20, it’s almost becoming a forgotten format.

With that in mind, let’s look at the players who have played the greatest number of List A games.

1. Graeme Hick (651 games)

Graeme Hick is a name synonymous with prolific run-scoring – he is in fact the most prolific run scorer across all forms of the game with over 64000 career runs. The Zimbabwe-born English cricketer played an astounding 651 List A matches, amassing runs with remarkable consistency.

By the time he retired in 2008 at the age of 42 he had scored a total of 22059 List A runs. His ability to dominate bowlers in the 50-over format, where short balls, against which he sometimes struggled in Tests, were fewer made him a cornerstone of many successful teams, both domestically and internationally. A Worcestershire legend, it is unlikely that anyone will ever surpass Hick’s incredible List A record.

2. Graham Gooch (613 games)

Another legend of English cricket, Graham Gooch’s career spanned over two decades, during which he played 613 List A games. Although he played fewer games than Graeme Hick, he scored more List A runs with a career total of 22211 at an average of 40.16.

Known for his elegant stroke play and tactical acumen, Gooch was a formidable presence at the top of the order, leading by example and setting numerous records along the way. He was an Essex stalwart, and he also spent a couple of seasons in Cape Town where he played for Western Province.

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3. Wasim Akram (594 games)

While all the other players on this list are remembered as batsmen (some did bowl a bit), Akram was a fearsome bowler of remarkable longevity.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest bowlers in the history of cricket, Wasim Akram brought his lethal left-arm swing bowling to 594 List A matches where he played for Lahore, Lancashire and Hampshire. His ability to swing the ball both ways and deliver pinpoint yorkers made him a nightmare for batsmen and a match-winner for Pakistan and various domestic sides.

4. Sanath Jayasuriya (557 games)

Sanath Jayasuriya was catapulted into the spotlight at the 1996 World Cup where he opened the batting in an explosive partnership with Romesh Kaluwitharana. In revolutionizing the role of an opener in limited-overs cricket with his aggressive batting approach Jayasuriya became a much sought after player in the shorter form of the game.

He played for a multitude of teams both in Sri Lanka and abroad (Somerset in England and the Dolphins in South Africa). Over his 557 List A games, the Sri Lankan legend terrorized bowlers with his explosive starts and contributed as a handy left-arm spinner, making him a valuable all-rounder. He ended his career at the age of 41 with a batting average of 31.19 and a bowling average of 34.85

5. Mike Gatting (551 games)

Another legend of the English game, Mike Gatting’s robust batting style and leadership qualities were evident across his 551 List A matches. A stalwart for Middlesex and England, Gatting was known for his tenacity and tactical mind, which made him a key figure in many successful campaigns.

With a highest List A score of 143 not out and an average of 33.74 Gatting was often not recognized for his ability as a bowler where he ended his career with a remarkable haul of 175 wickets at 27.52 with his medium pacers.

6. Sachin Tendulkar (551 games)

The ‘Little Master’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest cricketers of all time. Sharing the fifth spot, Sachin Tendulkar’s illustrious career in List A cricket saw him play 551 games – despite playing 100 fewer games than Graeme Hick at the top of the list, Tendulkar scored just 60 runs less than the Englishman.

With an average of 45.54, there are no players at the top of the appearance list who come close to touching him. You need to travel down the list to number 62, where MS Dhoni has a better batting average – 50.38. While the ‘Little Master’ is celebrated for his unparalleled batting prowess, which made him a run-machine and a cherished icon in the cricketing world he was a useful bowler as well with 201 wickets and a best return of 5/32.

7. Mahela Jayawardene (546 games)

Another legend of the Sri Lankan game Mahela Jayawardene’s elegant batting and strategic brilliance were on display in 546 List A matches where he played for both Sussex and Somerset amongst others. The Sri Lankan maestro was known for his silky stroke play and calm demeanour under pressure – with a highest score in the format of 164 not out and an average of 33.6

he was one of the most reliable and consistent batsmen in the format. He made his List A debut in the 1995/6 season and played his last game in the format in 2016, going out on a high as he stroked an undefeated 117 for Somerset against Worcestershire.

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