Stats: Netherlands' cricketer Caroline de Fouw features in a T20I at the age of 52

Playing professional career at the age of 50 is a rare occurrence in the modern era where players hardly continue their International careers beyond the early 40s. However, Netherlands Women’s cricketer Caroline de Fouw made her comeback to International cricket at the age of 52! Caroline was a part of Netherlands XI that played UAE on Saturday in the ongoing Women’s Qualifiers for the 2018 World T20.

The tournament has been accredited with International status under ICC’s regulations for Women’s cricket effective July 1, 2018. Thus, the Dutch female became the first cricketer in Women’s International cricket to feature after turning 50. Her last appearance at this level was in July 2008 in an ODI against Windies. The previous oldest Woman to feature in an International game was Windies’ Stephanie Power in 2005 a couple of days before turning 48.

Oldest players in Women’s International cricket:

The veteran off-spinner made a decent comeback taking three wickets in her 3.4 overs for 31 runs but couldn’t defend seven runs in the final over as UAE chased down 138 with two balls to spare. De Fouw made her 3rd T20I appearance which is also her first in ten years. She bagged 26 wickets in the 35 ODI matches played till 2008. Caroline was in Netherlands’ playing XI in their only Test match against South Africa in 2007.

She is the oldest cricketer in T20I history and also the 2nd oldest in International cricket across Men’s and Women’s cricket. Wilfred Rhodes played his career’s last Test match in 1930 at the age of 52 years and 156 days. Caroline de Fouw was 52 years and 56 days old on Saturday and could well break Rhodes’ record if her team makes it to the Women’s WT20 in November. She is one of the five cricketers till date to play International cricket (Men/Women) after turning 50.

Oldest players in International cricket: (Men/Women)

(Stats as on July 7, 2018)

For all the latest cricket news and other updates follow CricTracker.