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

Zulfiqar Babar has been in superb form in the UAE

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."

#2 Misbah-ul-Haq

The man some Pakistan cricket fans love to hate, Misbah-ul-Haq, is another late bloomer from that country. He did debut way back in 2001 at the age of 26, but was soon dropped and had to wait until he was 33 for his second chance.

He was recalled for the inaugural ICC World Twenty20 in 2007 after a prolonged period of excellence at domestic level and enjoyed a prolific tournament, helping Pakistan to reach the final where they played arch-rivals India. Despite top-scoring in their run chase, Misbah’s innings will be best remembered for its ending.

With six needed from four balls, Misbah attempted a scoop shot over short fine-leg, only to find the hands of Sreesanth and so hand India the crown. That shot arguably changed the face and balance of power in modern cricket, with a victorious India, previously reticent about T20 cricket, fully embracing the format and launching the mighty Indian Premier League.

ESPNcricinfo delivers the news of India’s historic triumph

Misbah’s success earnt him a Test recall and a maiden Test hundred against India followed before he was appointed vice-captain in 2008. A brief blip followed in 2010 when he was dropped after a poor ICC World T20, but he was soon back, appointed captain as Pakistan tried to recover from the horrors of their 2010 tour of England on which three of their players were found guilty of spot-fixing.

Misbah has gone from strength to strength since then and will almost certainly lead his side at the 2015 World Cup in spite of criticism over his perceived slow scoring and the side’s fluctuating form in ODIs. In Tests, he has just led Pakistan to their series victory over Australia in the UAE.

#3 Chris Rogers

Chris Rogers walks off after completing his maiden Test ton

Australia’s Chris Rogers is another in the Misbah mould. He made a brief foray into Test cricket at the age of 30 when he was picked for a single Test against India in 2008. Unfortunately, as Australia chased over 400 in the fourth innings as they sought a world record 17th consecutive Test win, Rogers could make only 15.

He then went away to play county cricket, enjoying much success for Middlesex at the top of their batting line-up, before being rewarded with a recall for the 2013 Ashes series in England. Partnering David Warner in the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street, he made his maiden century just weeks before his 36th birthday. He then went onto play a starring role as Australia regained the urn Down Under that winter, hitting hundreds at both the MCG and SCG.

A fourth Test hundred followed against South Africa in February and he will be eyeing a spot on the Ashes tour of England next year.

#4 Saeed Ajmal

Mystery spinner Saeed Ajmal is the third Pakistani to make this list. Despite currently being suspended for an illegal bowling action, Ajmal could justifiably hold claim to being the best bowler ever to have made his Test debut after the age of 30. Only five others - Australia’s Ryan Harris, Clarrie Grimmett and Bruce Yardley, India’s Dilip Doshi, and Bangladesh’s Mohammad Rafique - have taken at least 100 Test wickets after debuting after their 30th birthday.

Ajmal made his Test debut at the age of 31 against Sri Lanka despite having been cleared of having a suspected illegal bowling action earlier that year whilst playing One-Day Internationals. He then played a starring role as Pakistan won the 2009 ICC World T20.

Ajmal slowly edged out Danish Kaneria as first-choice Test spinner and partnered Abdur Rehman successfully in the UAE in 2012 as Pakistan thrashed a then-number-one-ranked England. Another controversy over his action then followed before he was cleared once again. However, the ICC’s controversial decision to take a tougher stance since then has meant Ajmal is currently undergoing remedial work on his action under the tutelage of Saqlain Mushtaq.

#5 Rangana Herath

Unsurprisingly this list is dominated by spinners, with Sri Lanka’s Rangana Herath the third tweaker to make the cut. Herath’s early career path was blocked by the legendary Muttiah Muralitharan, but following his retirement, the diminutive left-armer has seen off challengers from the likes of Ajantha Mendis, Suraj Randiv and Sachithra Senanayake to establish himself as his country’s lead spinner.

Previously a favourite among cricketing anoraks for his abundance of names – his full name is Herath Mudiyanselage Rangana Keerthi Bandana Herath – he has since then more than justified his place as a cricketer on the pitch. He has notched up more than 20 five-wicket hauls thus far in his Test career, including a haul of nine for 127 against Pakistan earlier this year.