“Age is a question of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter.” - Leroy "Satchel" Paige
This famous quote by a former American baseball player must surely has inspired many a sportsman. In the case of cricket, it is presumably thought to be a young man’s game. However, the very notion has been challenged time and time again by cricketers who have often proved it wrong.
Some cricketers who are well above their forties are still playing the game of cricket at an international level. Their youthful exuberance is something extraordinary and they are still playing the game with the same amount of passion. Some of them might have retired from the international scene but they are still playing in high-profile T20 leagues all over the world.
Let’s have a look at 5 oldest active T20 players in the world:
1. Brad Hogg
The evergreen Australian left-arm leggie is currently aged 45. The former Australian international is still very much active in the cricketing arena and he still plies his trade in various T20 leagues across the world.
The veteran also played a T20I for Australia in 2014 at the age of 43. He is still very much fit and raring to go. Hogg is an integral member of the Kolkata Knight Riders squad in the IPL 2016 and his performances for them in the last year’s edition were exemplary.
He still can bamboozle the batsman with his unorthodox deliveries and if he is not picked properly then he can make life hell for the batsmen.
Kudos to Hogg for his indomitable spirit.
2. Ryan Campbell
The case of Ryan Campbell is surely an interesting one. After making debut for Australia in 2002, Campbell made a comeback to the international cricket at the age of 44 when he played for Hong Kong in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016.
Campbell last played a first-class match in 2006 and almost after 10 years he played for Hong Kong in an international game.
I'll be as thrilled as I've ever been playing a game of cricket when I receive my Hong Kong cap," he says. "It's obviously a big risk on my behalf and Hong Kong cricket's behalf. But it's a risk they're happy to take, and I am too. Hopefully, a good result will come of it." Campbell said about his debut for Hong Kong.
This surely is one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of cricket.
3. Misbah-ul-Haq
The former Pakistan skipper at the age of 41 is still going strong as ever. Though he has retired from the international cricket, he still plays in various T20 leagues across the world. He played for the Islamabad United in the Pakistan Super League where he played some decent knocks.
Misbah will forever be remembered for that ill-timed scoop that he attempted in the final of the inaugural edition of the T20 World Cup which India won. It was Misbah who fought till the end but faltered in the end, to finish the tournament as runners-up.
Misbah also captained the Pakistan national squad for a number of years and he last played a T20I in 2012 against England.
The man who made his comeback to the international cricket after a long hiatus is still going pretty strong. He still plays Tests for Pakistan and he is one of Pakistan’s most successful test skippers of all time.
4. Tillakaratne Dilshan
The aggressive Sri Lankan opener is currently 39 and it seems that he still has plenty of cricket left in him. He recently played in the ICC T20 World Cup 2016 and he showed signs of his brilliance there too.
The attacking right-hander has been a stellar performer for Sri Lanka in the limited-overs format. He was adjudged the Man of the Tournament in the 2009 edition of the T20 World Cup for his stellar performances with the bat. His outrageous scoop shot in that tournament became famously known as ‘Dilscoop’.
Dilshan is a gutsy customer and he surely deserves plaudits for whatever he has done for the Sri Lankan cricket.
5. Michael Hussey
Mr. Cricket is still going strong as ever. The ever-so-impressive Mike Hussey is pretty much active in the cricketing arena. The Aussie great captained the Sydney Thunder side to the Big Bash glory in 2016. His performance with the bat was decent throughout the tournament.
Mike Hussey will also play for the St. Lucia Zouks in the upcoming edition of the Caribbean Premier League. He was bought for a whopping $126,000 by St Lucia Zouks. The legendary Australian cricketer will definitely look to add another silverware to his glittering cabinet.
There is no one better than Michael Hussey on whom the sobriquet Mr. Cricket would have sit properly. Take a bow, Michael Hussey.
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