5 Fit cricketers above 35 and still going strong in international cricket

For a professional sportsperson, fitness is of prime importance. A fit body combined with an unwavering will to give it everything on the field makes great athletes.

Over the years the gentleman's game has changed drastically. With the advent of the T20 format, fielding standards have gone up and the game has become much more intense and fast.

The international schedule combined with multiple T20 leagues across the globe makes it very hectic for the cricketers and takes a toll on their bodies.

The team management these days takes special measures to ensure that the players stay fit and less prone to injuries. The Yo-Yo fitness test has become a selection standard for almost all the international teams, failing which a player is not even considered for selection.

There are some modern-day players who have defied age and have maintained their fitness.

Let's have a look at these evergreen cricketers who still actively play international cricket.

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#1 James Anderson

Anderson is the fourth highest wicket-taker in Tests

Age: 36 years 5 months

The #10-year-challenge has set social media on fire with some hilarious memes and interesting transformations.

If this challenge is a measure of how much a person's physical appearance has changed, a cricketer who would miserably fail this challenge is the English great - James Anderson.

With 570 Test wickets, Anderson is the fourth highest wicket-taker in the world and tops the fast bowler's list.

The 36-year old looks remarkably fit and can still bowl long enduring spells and make the red cherry talk.

His signature out swinging delivery starting from the middle and leg stump and knocking over the off stump, squaring up the batsman completely is a delight to watch.

Anderson made his debut in 2002 against the mighty Australians. For the next five years, he was in and out of the side as the coaches kept playing around with his bowling action and Anderson never looked comfortable.

As soon as he switched back to his original side on action, Anderson proved to be lethal and spearheaded the England bowling lineup.

There are multiple factors responsible for Anderson's successful career but the one primary factor is extreme prudence in matters of fitness by the team management and by Anderson himself.

#2 MS Dhoni

MS Dhoni is still one of the quickest between the wickets

Age: 37 years 6 months

Calmness personified MS Dhoni has been a trailblazer for promoting fitness in Indian cricket. MS Dhoni as a skipper always emphasized on fitness. He preferred agile, quick and fit individuals who can save runs on the field and run quick ones and twos.

At 37 and having played over 500 international matches across all formats, MS Dhoni still stands strong and runs like a 27-year old.

The only difference between MS Dhoni in 2004 - his debut year and today is the grey stubble on his face.

Dhoni is still one of the quickest in between the wickets and while keeping his reflexes are still lightning quick.

The desire to snatch that one extra run for the team while batting and convert half-chances to wickets while keeping is what makes Dhoni strive for fitness.

Going into the 2019 World Cup he still remains the key player for India.

#3 Hashim Amla

Hashim Amla is a prolific run-getter for South Africa

Age: 35 years 9 months

A true gentleman and an absolutely awe-inspiring batsman - Hashim Amla prefers staying quiet while letting his bat wield like a sword destroying the opposition bowling.

A wristy batsman, Hashim Amla perhaps has the best hands in modern-day cricket and plays spin and fast with equal ease.

Of Indian origin - Amla made his debut against India in 2004-2005 but was dropped from the side as the talent couldn't translate to runs.

The diligent Amla went back to basics, performed at the domestic level and made a strong comeback scoring 149 against New Zealand.

From that point, there was no looking back for the batting maestro as he scored a plethora of runs in all the three formats.

In 2012 he became the first South African to score a triple ton, achieving this feat against England at the Oval.

Amla may not have a chiseled body but is extremely fit and his appetite for runs keeps growing with age.

He holds a stupendous record of being the fastest to 2000, 3000, 4000, 5000, 6000 and 7000 runs ODIs - a testament to his mindboggling consistency.

#4 Imran Tahir

Imran Tahir's iconic celebratory sprints are a treat to watch

Age: 39 years 10 months

Perhaps one of the most zestful and exuberant cricketers the world has seen is the Pakistan-born South African leg-spinner, Imran Tahir. His energy on the field while bowling, fielding and especially while celebrating a fall of the wicket is unbelievable.

For Tahir, perseverance and passion are the two most important factors that have led to his success.

Tahir made his international debut at the age of 31 and thus wanted to live every ball. The celebratory sprints of Tahir are as amazing as his bowling and show how much it means to him.

The fit-at-heart Tahir reached the pinnacle of his cricket career when he topped the ICC ODI and T20I rankings in 2017.

At the age of 39, he still remains the frontline spinner for South Africa and many other teams which he represents in the T20 leagues across the globe.

Before signing-off from international cricket, Tahir would love to win an ICC trophy for South Africa.

#5 Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez has captained Pakistan in all three formats of the game.

Age: 38 years 3 months

Nicknamed 'the professor' former captain of Pakistan in all three formats - the 38-year old Mohammad Hafeez still has the ability to stand at crucial fielding positions and throw himself around on the field.

An in-form Hafeez can weave magic on the cricket field with those elegant cover drives and leg flicks. Hafeez is an astute bowler as well and bowls with unerring accuracy making it extremely difficult to take him on.

Hafeez made his international debut in the year 2003. For the next seven years, Hafeez had to sit out on many occasions due to lack of consistency.

Starting 2010, Hafeez's consistency improved and his batting was at its zenith from the year 2011-15 during which he scored an astonishing 11 ODI tons - all away from home.

His bowling too was an asset for Pakistan during that period as he kept plucking key wickets without conceding too many runs.

Of late Hafeez has not been in prime form but he is still extremely fit for a 38-year old.