Several factors contribute to players starting their careers late. However, when they finally step onto the field, they earn the title of “late bloomers.” Without further ado, let’s explore some notable names in this category.
Michael Hussey (Australia)
When discussing late entrants in cricket, Michael Hussey is often the first name that comes to mind. His story serves as a powerful inspiration for those facing challenges in domestic cricket while striving for national selection. Debuting for Australia at the age of 30, Hussey quickly established himself as a cricketing legend, earning the nickname “Mr. Cricket.”
He was integral to many of Australia’s most iconic victories, serving as the backbone of the middle order. Hussey accumulated over 12,000 runs across 79 Test matches, 185 ODIs, and 38 T20s. He also won the Orange Cap in 2013 while playing for CSK, leaving a significant mark in the IPL.
Misbah-Ul-Haq (Pakistan)
Misbah-Ul-Haq is a dedicated Pakistani cricketer who faced numerous challenges to represent his country. He began his cricketing journey at 26 and made his international debut in 2001. After struggling to perform initially, he was dropped from the team. However, seven years later, Misbah received a second chance and excelled in domestic competitions and various Pakistan leagues, impressing the selectors with his skills.
In 2007, he was the top run-scorer for Pakistan in the ICC World T20, showcasing his talent with several impressive innings. After helping Pakistan reach the final, he was appointed vice-captain. However, he later dropped out of the team due to a dip in form. After addressing his weaknesses, he returned to the squad, leading Pakistan to multiple victories under his captaincy, earning him popularity in the cricket world.
Ryan Harris (Australia)
Ryan Harris is a fast-medium bowler for Australia, known for his right-arm deliveries. He made his debut at 29 and earned the nickname “Rhino.” In 2019, he delivered a standout performance against New Zealand.In that series, he gained fame by taking nine wickets in a row, a record that he continued in the subsequent Ashes Test. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury in 2015, which ended his playing career. However, he has since become one of the most respected coaches of the Australian cricket team.
Chris Rogers (Australia)
Chris Rogers was a batsman who struggled to secure a permanent spot in the Australian team. Despite this, he proved his worth and made a significant impact at the beginning of his career.In 2008, he debuted at 31 but didn’t play another Test until 2013. At 36, he delivered a remarkable performance, gradually increasing his batting average from the twenties to the forties, scoring against India, South Africa, and Pakistan. He ended his career in 2015 with runs against England.
Saeed Ajmal (Pakistan)
Saeed Ajmal is another prominent Pakistani cricketer known for his impressive performances. This spin king enjoyed an inspiring cricket career, marked by frequent highs and few lows. Interestingly, he made his international debut at the age of 31.
In the 2009 T20 World Cup, Saeed Ajmal played a pivotal role in securing victory, quickly establishing himself as a dominant force in the Test arena. From 2008 to 2015, he experienced significant success. Unfortunately, his career took a downturn when he was implicated in illegal activities in 2014, making it challenging for him to maintain his dominance.
In November 2017, Saeed Ajmal announced his retirement from professional cricket to focus on his personal clothing brand.
Suryakumar Yadav (India)
Suryakumar Yadav consistently performed well in domestic matches and the IPL but was overlooked by selectors for a long time. He had standout seasons in 2018, 2019, and 2020, scoring heavily for Mumbai in domestic cricket, which marked a turning point in his career and caught the selectors’ attention.
Now, Suryakumar is India’s number one T20 batter and is working hard to secure a spot in the ODI eleven, boasting an average of 39 and an impressive strike rate of 165 in 14 T20 matches.
Rangana Herath (Sri Lanka)
Rangana Herath is a prominent Sri Lankan cricketer known for his left-arm spin bowling. However, he began his international career later than most, only getting the opportunity to play for Sri Lanka after the retirement of the legendary spinner Muttiah Muralitharan.
After retiring, Rangana Herath made his Test debut, quickly embracing every challenge to establish himself as the lead spinner for Sri Lanka. His name stands out at the top of the list for spin bowlers in the country.
Graham Gooch (England)
In cricket, openers often take time to secure their place on the team, and Graham Gooch was no exception. He experienced a challenging start, facing a pair in his Test debut against Australia. However, in 1980, he made a comeback by scoring his maiden Test century at Lord’s against the West Indies.
Gooch’s crowning achievement came when he scored an impressive 333 runs against India at Lord’s, followed by a second innings score of 123. Over his career, he amassed 20 centuries and over 9,000 Test runs before retiring in 1995.