Top 10 Players With Most Matches In International Career

Top 10 Players With Most Matches In International Career: Playing even a single match for your nation and wearing that coveted jersey as a professional player is one of the most pleasurable feelings for any budding cricketer. Cementing your place in the side and being consistently selected is a separate challenge in its own right. Some legendary cricketers with their versatility have managed to cement their places in their respective sides, playing as many matches consistently as they can. In order to play a considerable number of matches in the career, you have to be incredibly fit as an athlete and have exceptional prowess at what you do. Let us look the Top 10 Players With Most Matches In International Career: 10. Muttiah Muralitharan – 495: Muttiah Muralitharan. (© Getty Images) With over 1300 wickets in his stellar international career, Muralitharan had to overcome a lot of obstacles and impediments including bowling-action issues and injuries to achieve super stardom in world cricket. The spin wizard when he finds his groove is an unplayable bowler capable of outfoxing the batsmen with the best technique and skill. His 495 international appearances speak volumes of his laudable tenacity and his consistent serviceable contribution for Sri Lanka as a star performer. 9. Inzamam Ul Haq – 499: Inzamam Ul Haq. (Photo Source: Getty Images ) Just one short of 500 international appearances, Inzamam Ul Haq is the most prolific run scorer for his country Pakistan. Lauded by Imran as someone who possesses a batting equal to that of Sachin or Lara, Inzamam is one of the most technically correct batters of his time with no apparent weaknesses. His only Achilles’ heel was his poor running between the wickets and his sloppy fielding. But with a bat wielded between his palms he is a man of incredible dexterity. His ability to play both the test format and the ODI expertly well ranks him as one of the finest batsmen of all time. 8. Rahul Dravid – 509: Rahul Dravid. (© Getty Images) Nicknamed the wall for his impregnable defense while batting, Rahul Dravid has the stunning record of having consumed most deliveries in test cricket. That is an example of how frustrating he can prove to be for a bowler. Dravid was one of the fittest cricketers of his time and one of the most brilliant slip fielders the game of cricket has ever seen. With over 24000 international runs and with 48 international tons, Rahul Sharad Dravid is one of the greatest batsmen ever to play test cricket. He has played 509 international matches and is in the 7th position in the list. 7. Shahid Afridi – 512: Shahid Afridi. (© Getty Images) Another Pakistani makes the cut in this elite list of players, with 512 international appearances. A destructive player with the bat and a canny leg spin bowler, Shahid Afridi is arguably Pakistan’s best ever all rounder after Imran Khan. Nicknamed boom boom for his explosive batting, Afridi has the ability to tear apart any bowling side when he is in full flow with the bat. He was the leading wicket-taker in the 2011 ICC world cup and was the man of the match in the 2009 T20 world cup final. These stats are a testimony to his skill and temperament in the limited overs format. 6. Jacques Kallis – 519: Jacques Kallis. (© Getty Images) With over 25,000 international runs with the bat and 577 international wickets, Jacques Kallis is arguably the greatest all rounder the game of cricket has ever seen. An attacking fast bowler, Kallis possessed a lethal short pitched delivery in his armory. With the bat, he was one of the most reliable middle order batsmen whose calmness and composure on the pitch with a bat in hand is not in many means easy to replicate. A sound technique and an excellent cricketing brain, Kallis is the most prolific run scorer for South Africa. He played 519 international matches in his career. 5. Ricky Ponting – 560: Ricky Ponting. (© Getty Images) The best Australian batsman after Sir Don Bradman, Ricky Ponting is Australia’s most prolific run scorer. With a virtuous technique and great footwork, Ponting is regarded by many as the master of pull shots. He is also the second highest in the list of international centuries (71) next to Sachin Tendulkar. A two time World cup winning captain, Ponting was well renowned for his leadership abilities. His 560 international appearances rank him 5th in the list. 4. Sanath Jayasuriya – 586: Sanath Jayasuriya. (Photo Source: Getty Images) One of the most aggressive and destructive openers of all time is this man Sanath Jayasuriya. The marauder from Sri Lanka can annihilate any type of bowling be it spin, fast bowling or medium-pace when he is in full flow. Sanath initially came into the team as a bowler but with time became a top class batsman and with his consistent performances has joined the elite league of batsmen. Sanath has 42 international centuries in his career. His 586 international appearances lands him at the 4th spot. Also Read – Top 10 Players With Most Man Of The Match Awards In International Matches 3. Kumar Sangakkara – 594: Kumar Sangakkara. (© Getty Images) Sri Lanka’s leading run scorer is third players with most international appearances- 594 against his name. Sangakkara is one of those very rare batsmen who can play top notch cricket in all three forms of the game. He averages over 59 with the bat and is classy batsman with no apparent weaknesses. He is the top run scorer for Sri Lanka in internationals followed by Jayawardene. Sanga has a huge fan following in his country owing to his sincere and laudable service. He has 63 centuries in his international career. 2. Mahela Jayawardene- 652: Mahela Jayawardene. (© Getty Images) One of the only two players to cross the 600 matches mark in international cricket, Mahela Jayawardene is undoubtedly one of the most elegant and graceful stroke makers the gentleman’s game has ever seen. With his supreme batting skills he can galvanize any bowling opposition into misery with exceptional prowess and his propensity to spend longer duration on the crease. Personification of class and elegance and the epitome of commitment and unswerving passion, Mahela Jayawardene with his deft touches and classy delicacy can be easily one of the most attractive and pleasing sights on a cricket pitch. 1. Sachin Tendulkar – 664: Sachin Tendulkar. (Photo Source: BCCI) Topper of most batting charts, is the topper in most appearances as well. With 664 international appearances and over 30,000 international runs, the master blaster is one of the most majestic batters and one of the most versatile and prolific runs scorers of all time. His ability to play both pace bowling and spin rank him as arguably the greatest batsman ever. While a single century is considered a big achievement in its own right, this guy, the little master, Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar has redefined the art of batting in many ways and has reached the three figure mark in internationals an astounding, mind boggling 100 times in his stellar career. His technical precision and his ability to play both pace as well as spin with exceptional prowess ranks him among the top players of all time. Also Read – Top 10 Players Who Have Played Most ODI Matches (All Stats Updated Till 25th September, 2015)