Nicholas Pooran, considered an integral part of the West Indies' strategy for the upcoming T20 World Cup, unexpectedly announced his retirement.
Sports News: Test matches are considered the ultimate test for cricketers, but some formidable players have dominated ODIs and T20s without ever getting a chance to debut in Test cricket. Recently, West Indies star batsman Nicholas Pooran retired from international cricket at the age of 29. While he represented the West Indies in ODIs and T20s, he never received an opportunity in Test cricket.
Pooran is not the only player who never made a Test debut. Cricket history boasts many big names who, despite b performances, couldn't secure a place in the Test team. Let's learn about five such cricketers who retired without ever playing a Test match.
1. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies): T20 World Cup Star
Nicholas Pooran, one of the West Indies' most dangerous T20 batsmen, abruptly retired from international cricket at the age of 29. He played 106 T20Is and 61 ODIs but never got a chance in Test cricket. Pooran's career was marked by ups and downs. He scored 2275 T20I runs for the West Indies at a strike rate of 136.39. His ODI strike rate was also impressive at 99.15, a remarkable feat by modern cricket standards. Still, he didn't find a place in the Test team.
2. Ryan ten Doeschate (Netherlands): A Great All-rounder
Ryan ten Doeschate of the Netherlands is considered one of modern cricket's most underrated all-rounders. He scored 1541 runs at an average of 67 in 33 ODIs and also took 55 wickets. However, due to the Netherlands' lack of Test status, he never played the red-ball format. The Netherlands only gained Test status in 2018, by which time ten Doeschate was nearing the end of his career.
3. David Hussey (Australia): Outstanding First-Class Record, But No Test Cap
David Hussey of Australia is considered one of cricket history's greatest "uncapped" Test players. He scored 14,280 runs at an average of 52.50 in 192 first-class matches, including 44 centuries. Yet, he never made the Test team. Hussey's prime coincided with Australia's golden era (2000s), a time when the team boasted legendary batsmen like Hayden, Ponting, and Clarke.
In 2010, he scored 970 runs in the Sheffield Shield, but his contract was terminated that same year. Hussey later earned fame in T20 leagues, but the lack of a Test cap remains a significant omission from his career.
4. Clive Rice (South Africa): Africa's Best All-rounder, But a Victim of the Ban
Clive Rice of South Africa was considered the best all-rounder of the 1970s. He scored 26,331 runs and took 930 wickets in 482 first-class matches. However, the international ban on South Africa due to apartheid policies ended his Test career. Rice won the 1984 Silk Cut Challenge, outperforming legends like Ian Botham, Richard Hadlee, and Kapil Dev.
5. Kieron Pollard (West Indies): T20 King, But an Unfulfilled Test Dream
Former West Indies captain Kieron Pollard dominated T20 cricket but never received an opportunity in Test cricket. He scored 1566 runs and took 55 wickets in 123 T20Is, yet never featured in the Test team. Pollard's first-class record was weaker (average 37.71). The West Indies prioritized his T20 expertise, thus foregoing his inclusion in longer formats. He played his last first-class match in 2015 and focused solely on the T20 format thereafter.
Cricket has many players who, despite their performances, never earned a Test cap. Players like Nicholas Pooran, Ryan ten Doeschate, David Hussey, Clive Rice, and Kieron Pollard excelled in ODIs and T20s, but their Test cricket dreams remained unfulfilled.
