5 oldest players to score a century in Tests

Any sport is primarily meant for young men and that applies to cricket as well. That being said, in the early years of Test cricket, cricketers often played well into their late 30s and even early 40s.

However, that has changed over the decades and it is rare to see cricketers continuing beyond the age of 35 or 36. Over the course of cricket's history, plenty of cricketers have scored centuries after they have crossed over to the wrong side of the 30s and here is a look at 5 of the oldest players ever to have scored a century in Test cricket.

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#5 42 years 61 days by Frank Woolley against South Africa at Manchester, 1929

He was one of the finest left-handed batsmen to have ever played the game and over the course of an international career spanning around a quarter of a century (1909-1934), Frank Woolley became one of England’s best batsmen. He was a delightful stroke-maker and was particularly known for his drives, cuts and steers to the leg side.

He played international cricket till he was 47 years old and holds the record for being the 5th oldest player to have ever scored a Test century when he slammed 154 against South Africa at Manchester. It was the 4th Test of the series and batting first England made 427, thanks to Woolley’s 154 and ended up winning the game by an innings and 32 runs. Frank Woolley was just over 42 years old at the time.

#4 42 years 291 days by Dave Nourse

Dave Nourse batted for 228 minutes and hit 13 boundaries to score 111 runs

The left-handed batsman was one of the earliest stars for South African cricket and over the course of his career that spanned almost 22 years, Dave Nourse played 45 Test matches. However, despite his immense talent as a batsman, Nourse scored only 1 century in his career. That solitary three-figure score got him the record for the oldest centurion in Test cricket.

In the 2nd Test of the 3-match series against Australia at Johannesburg, the hosts had to follow on after being dismissed for 243 in response to Australia's 450. In the 2nd innings, South Africa did much better and one of the highlight's of the innings was Nourse's century at number 5. He batted for 228 minutes and hit 13 boundaries to score 111 runs at the age of almost 43. Nourse has held the record for 97 years and it is expected he might just hold it for a while longer.

#3 43 years 202 days by Warren Bardsley against Australia at Lord’s, 1926

Warren Bardsley (left) cemented his place as one of the best left-handers

He was one of the best left-handed batsmen in the Australian side in the 1910s and 1920s and over the course of his 41 Test career, Warren Bardsley cemented his place as one of the best left-handers of the time. He could play a range of strokes and was particularly well known for being very good on the straight drive.

His excellent technique allowed him to play international cricket till he was almost 46 and he scored his last Test century when he was almost 44, which makes him the 3rd oldest player to score a century in the longest format of the game. He did it on a grand stage too and slammed a 193 against England at Lord’s after Australia had chosen to bat first. The match, however, ended in a tepid draw.

#2 45 years 151 days by Patsy Hendren against Australia at Manchester, 1934

Patsy Hendren hit 22 boundaries during the course of his 132

The former English batsman of Irish descent played in 51 Tests for the team from 1920 to 1935 and throughout his career, Patsy Hendren became known for his ability to enthral crowds with his attacking batsmanship. He was known for his powerful stroke-making, cutting and also the fearlessness with which he could play the hook shot against the fast bowlers.

In the 3rd Ashes Test in England, back in 1934, Hendren became the 2nd oldest cricketer to have ever scored a Test century, when he made 132 in the 1st innings at Manchester. He was 45 years and 151 days old and he hit as many as 22 boundaries during the course of his 132 at number 5. It was a run fest for England as they scored 627 batting first but the match eventually ended in a rather tame draw.

#1 46 years 82 days by Jack Hobbs against Australia at Melbourne, 1929

Jack Hobbs made 142 and helped the team score 519

If there is any discussion on the greatest opening batsmen to have ever played the game, then it would be incomplete if it does not include the England great Jack Hobbs. His superb technique, stroke-making abilities, hunger for runs and longevity made him one of the greatest English batsmen ever. His career spanned 61 Test matches across 22 years (1908-1930) and he retired by the time he was 48.

Prior to that, he scored his 15th and final Test century at the age of just over 46 years and remains the oldest player ever to have made a three-figure score in Test cricket. In the 5th Ashes Test in Australia back in 1929, England batted first and Hobbs made 142 and helped the team score 519. However, England fared poorly in the 2nd innings and Australia ended up with a consolation win as the visitors won the series 4-1.