Team-wise oldest active Test cricketers in 2025

While the franchise T20 leagues around the world are grabbing a lot of eyeballs, Test cricket continues to remain the most respected format in the sport. The various challenges, the ups and downs, the red-ball format offers give cricket purists a lot of joy.

Virat Kohli, one of the finest batters of all time, recently summed up Test cricket’s importance wonderfully. After winning the Indian Premier League (IPL) title for the first time on June 3, ending an 18-year wait, Kohli said that the triumph is still five levels below Test cricket in terms of the respect it earns.

In this article, CricTracker takes a look at the oldest active cricketers in Tests for each of the top eight teams in the ICC rankings, with all players having played at least one red-ball international encounter in the preceding twelve calendar months.

Oldest active Test cricketers in 2025

8. West Indies – Kemar Roach

Kemar Roach is the fifth-highest wicket-taker in Tests for the West Indies. The 36-year-old has accounted for 284 wickets from 85 Tests at an average of 27.21 and a strike rate of 52.60. He has taken 11 five-wicket hauls in the longest format.

Roach made his Test debut in July 2009 against Bangladesh in Kingstown. The right-arm pacer was a part of West Indies’ most recent Test assignment, which was their two-match tour of Pakistan in January 2025. Roach played just the second Test and picked up two wickets in the six overs he bowled.

7. Pakistan – Noman Ali

Noman Ali made his international debut at the age of 34. The left-arm spinner made an instant impact on debut, picking up a five-for against South Africa in the second innings in Karachi. He finished with match figures of 7/73 in 42.3 overs.

The Sanghar-born became the first Pakistani spinner to take a Test hat-trick when he dismissed Justin Greaves, Tevin Imlach, and Kevin Sinclair off consecutive deliveries in the second Test against the West Indies in Multan. The 38-year-old Noman has accounted for 83 wickets in 19 Tests at an average of 24.76. He has an eight five-wicket hauls to his name.

6. Sri Lanka – Angelo Mathews

Angelo Mathews is one of the finest all-rounders of this generation and a bona fide Sri Lankan legend. He made his Test debut against Pakistan in Galle in 2009. Almost 16 years later, he will be retiring from the format after playing the first Test against Bangladesh at the same venue, starting on June 17.

Mathews has scored 8167 runs and picked up 33 wickets from 118 Tests. He is the third-highest run-getter in the format for Sri Lanka after Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene. Mathews has also led the team in 34 Test matches, helping the Lankan Lions win 13 games.

5. New Zealand – Kane Williamson

Kane Williamson is the youngest cricket on this list. The New Zealand batter turns 35 in August. He is considered one of the finest batters in modern-day cricket, alongside Steve Smith, Virat Kohli, and Joe Root. Williamson played his first Test match against India in Ahmedabad and scored a majestic 131 off 299 balls, showing his exemplary skills and temperament.

The Tauranga-born a central contract with New Zealand Cricket (NZC) last year for the 2024-25 season. However, he continues to feature in important tournaments for the Blackcaps. Williamson could be seen playing red-ball cricket during New Zealand’s two-match Test tour of Zimbabwe in July-August.

4. India – Ravindra Jadeja

Ravindra Jadeja‘s three-dimensional skills are an asset to the Indian team, especially in the red-ball format. The Saurashtra all-rounder debuted in the Test format in 2012 against England. Jadeja, 36, has played 80 Tests, scoring 3370 runs and picking up 323 wickets.

He is the first player to score 150-plus runs and take 9-plus wickets in a Test match. Jadeja achieved this feat against Sri Lanka in Mohali in 2022. After the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma (Tests and T20Is), and Ravichandran Ashwin (all formats), Jadeja is the most experienced player in the Indian team which is currently in the United Kingdom, preparing for the impending five-match Test series against England.

3. England – Chris Woakes

Chris Woakes is another fine all-rounder, who has often been an unsung hero in England’s Test side, with James Anderson and Stuart Broad hogging the limelight most of the time. However, Woakes, who debuted against Australia in 2013, has provided some excellent performances in whites over the years.

Woakes has played 57 Tests, scoring 1970 runs and taking 181 wickets. The 36-year-old, who is back from an ankle injury, is expected to spearhead the England pace attack in the upcoming series against India. Despite being in the twilight of his career, Woakes has kept himself fit for the rigours of international cricket.

2. South Africa – Dane Paterson

Dane Paterson can be called a late bloomer, especially with regard to his Test career, as he debuted in the format in 2020 at the age of 30. He is a skilful operator but has struggled to get game time, with the likes of Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Marco Jansen being in the ranks. However, the 36-year-old has a brilliant record, having picked up 25 wickets from seven Tests at an average of 26.24.

Paterson was part of the South African side which won the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia last week. However, he could not break into the playing XI. Paterson could get some opportunities during South Africa’s forthcoming tour of Zimbabwe, starting on June 28.

1. Australia – Usman Khawaja

Usman Khawaja made his Test debut in 2011. While he did get his opportunities, he failed to do justice to his potential. After averaging just 29.44 in 2019, Khawaja was dropped from the Test side. However, he returned to the team in 2022 and has since then played some important knocks for Australia as an opening batter.

After averaging 67.50 and 52.60 in 2022 and 2023, respectively, Khawaja had a forgettable 2024, where his average dropped to 25.93. The southpaw, however, has managed to come back strongly in 2025, where is average has soared to 57.33. The 38-year-old was dismissed for 0 and 6 in the WTC final against South Africa and would want to redeem himself during the upcoming tour of the West Indies.

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