AB de Villiers equals world record for most consecutive Tests from debut

South African batsman AB de Villiers, who is playing his 96th Test match today, against West Indies, has equalled the world record for playing the most number of consecutive Tests since making his debut, and he now shares the top spot with former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist.

The 30-year-old, who is easily the best batsman in world cricket today when you take into account all the three formats of the game, has scored 7296 runs in Test cricket at an average of 51.02 and has 19 centuries and 36 half-centuries to his name.

AB de Villier

Following De Villiers and Gilchrist are former Indian great Rahul Dravid and New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum. While 4 of the top 6 players have retired, McCullum’s streak still remains active. It would be an interesting little battle between the two if McCullum doesn’t retire from Tests, as the longer format is the least suited to his playing abilities and the 33-year-old is one of the players in demand for his big-hitting abilities among the domestic T20 franchises around the world.

Put into bat first at SuperSport Park, Centurion, South Africa are currently on 61/3 with both Hashim Amla and De Villiers at the crease.

Player	Country	Tests
AB de Villiers	South Africa	96*
Adam Gilchrist	Australia	96
Rahul Dravid	India	93
Brendon McCullum	New Zealand	90*
Sachin Tendulkar	India	84
Michael Hussey	Australia	79

Note: Stats updated till December 17, 2014