You’re never too old if you’re good enough

 
David Lord Columnist

By , 31 Oct 2012 David Lord is a Roar Expert

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    Sydney Sixers Brad Haddin hits a six during their Big Bash League match. AAP Image/Mick Tsikas

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    It’s quite obvious most cricket-loving Roarers believe age is the criteria to selection, instanced by the number who wrote off Brad Haddin at 35 in favour of the 24-year-old Matt Wade for the first Test against South Africa at the Gabba next week.

    History denies that belief.

    The top six keepers in Test cricket history as of today:

    Mark Boucher was forced to retire at 36 with a severe eye injury, prematurely ending ending his career with 555 dismissals – 532 catches, and 23 stumpings.

    Adam Gilchrist retired at 37 with 416 dismissals – 379 and 37.

    Ian Healy was dropped at 35 with 395 – 366 and 29.

    Rod Marsh retired at 37 with 355 – 343 and 12.

    Jeffery Dujon retired at 35 with 270 – 265 and 5.

    Allan Knott retired at 35 with 269 – 250 and 19.

    And Alec Stewart was 40 when he retired with 241 dismissals – 227 and 14.

    That takes care of the keepers, now for the top 18 Test batsmen as of today.

    I’ve used averages as the benchmark to highlight career consistency, as against aggregates that are dictated to by longevity.

    Take particular note of the ages of the first 11, with one exception.

    Jacques Kallis – 37 years 15 days – average 56.94 in a Test career of 17 years.

    Kumar Sangakkara – 35 and 4 – 56.73 over 12 years.

    Sachin Tendulkar – 39 and 190 – 55.88 over 23 years.

    Ricky Ponting – 37 and 317 – 52.75 over 17 years.

    Younis Khan – 34 and 336 – 51.69 over 12 years.

    Thilan Samaraweera – 36 and 39 – 51.29 over 11 years,

    Virender Sehwag – 34 and 11 – 50.64 over 11 years.

    Jonathon Trott – 31 and 192 – 50.49 over three years,

    Mahela Jayawardene – 35 and 157 – 50.43 over 15 years.

    Shivnarine Chanderpaul – 38 and 75 – 50.20 over 18 years.

    Mike Hussey – 37 and 157 – 50.07 over seven years.

    Hashim Amla – 29 and 214 – 49.95 over eight years.

    Graeme Smith – 31 and 273 – 49.78 over a decade.

    Kevin Pietersen – 32 and 126 – 49.48 over seven years.

    AB de Villiers – 28 and 257 – 48.85 over eight years.

    Michael Clarke – 31 and 212 – 48.77 over eight years,

    Alastair Cook – 27 and 311 – 47.84 over six years.

    And Ian Bell – 30 and 203 – 46.83 over eight years.

    Just three of the 18 are in their late 20s, the majority are senior citizens and very successful at that.

    Let the youngsters the Roarers are roaring for show that consistency at the lower level before they become internationals.

    Because you are never too old if you are good enough.

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