Aug 24 2009
MATTHEW HAYDEN JOINS THE CENTURION CLUB IN TESTS
Matthew Hayden became the 11th Australian and 47th player overall to play 100 or more Test matches.
The second Test match between New Zealand-Australia at Adelaide, was a 100th Test match for this left hand opening batsman.
Hayden who made his Test debut against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1993-94, took 11 years and 245 days to reach this milestone.
Englishman Colin Cowdrey was the first player to enter the club of 100 Test matches. Cowdrey who made his Test debut against Australia at Brisbane in 1954-55 series, played his 100th Test match against the same country at Edgbaston in 1968 series. He took 13 years and 228 days to complete his century of appearances.
Allan Border was the first Australian and the eighth player overall to enter this elite club. Border made his debut against England at Melbourne in 1978-79 series and took nine years and 361 days to complete his 100 Test matches at the same venue against West Indies in 1988-89 series.
David Boon completed his century of appearances in the 1994-95 series against West Indies at Port of Spain and became the 15th member and second Australian of this elite club. Boon who first played against the same country in 1984-85 at Brisbane, took 10 years and 139 days to complete the century.
The 16th player to enter the 100 Test club was Australian Steve Waugh. Waugh who holds the record of appearing in the most number of Tests (168) played his 100th Test match against South Africa at Sydney in 1997-98 series. He made his Test debut against India at Melbourne in 1985-86 series and took 12 years and eight days to play 100 Test matches.
Ian Healy who completed the century of Test appearances in second shortest time – nine years 138 days – was the first wicket-keeper to play 100 Test matches. Healy made his Test debut against Pakistan at Karachi in 1988-89 series and played his 100th Test match against South Africa at Adelaide in 1997-98 series.
After Ian Healy, Mark Taylor became the fifth Australian and 19th player in the history of Test cricket to play 100 matches. The first Ashes Test between Australia and England at Brisbane in 1998-99 was Taylor’s 100th Test match. Taylor who made his Test debut against West Indies at Sydney in 1988-89 series took nine years and 298 days to achieve this distinction. This was the third shortest time to reach this milestone after Mark Waugh – 8 years, 342 days and Ian Healy who completed this feat in nine years and 136 days.
Mark Waugh became the sixth Australian and 21 st player in the history of Test cricket to play 100 or more matches. The third and final Test between Australia and India at Sydney in 1999-2000 series was Mark Waugh’s 100th Test match. Mark Edward Waugh who made his Test debut against England at Adelaide in 1990-91 series, took eight years and 342 days to reach this milestone. It is the shortest time taken by any player to achieve this target. Mark Waugh also holds the record of most catches by a fielder in Tests.
Shane Warne was the seventh Australian and 25th player to join this elite club. The second Test match between Australia and South Africa at Cape Town in 2001-02 was Shane Warne’s 100th Test match. The champion leg spinner, who made his Test debut against India at Sydney in 1991-92, took 10 years and 66 days to achieve this feat.
Glenn McGrath became the eighth Australian and 30th player overall to join this elite club. The right arm fast bowler played his 100th Test match against India at Nagpur in 2004-05. McGrath took 10 years and 349 days to complete his century of Test matches. He made his Test debut against New Zealand at Perth in 1993-94.
After McGrath, Justin Langer joined the centurion club for Australia. Langer who made his Test debut against West Indies at Adelaide in 1992-93, played his 100th Test match against South Africa at Johannesburg in 2005-06. He took 13 years and 68 days to complete the century of Test matches.
The last Australian player before Matthew Hayden to complete a century of Test match was Ricky Ponting. The Australian captain who made his Test debut against Sri Lanka at Perth in 1995-96, played his 100th Test match 10 years and 26 days later against South Africa at Sydney in 2005-06.
