List of New Zealand cricketers to play 100 or more matches in test cricket

So far only six New Zealand cricketers have played 100 or more matches in test cricket.

New Zealand (NZ) made their entry in test cricket with a four-match test series against England in 1930. They played their first ever test match in January 1930 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch. With a long history in test cricket, NZ are yet to make a significant impact at international level in test cricket. Apart from ICC World Test Championship title in 2021, the Kiwis have failed to transform themselves as a dominating side.

In last 93 years, NZ have fielded 286 test players. And out of those 286, only four of them have managed to keep themselves constant in the playing XI and played 100 or more matches in the longest format of the game. Several NZ cricketers finished their test careers after playing 30-50 matches only. Let’s have a look at the Kiwi cricketers to play 100 or more matches in tests.

Here are the New Zealand cricketers to play in 100 or more test matches:

1. Stephen Fleming:

Former captain Stephen Fleming was first ever New Zealand cricketer to play 100 or more matches in tests. Fleming played his 100th test against South Africa in Centurion in 2006. Overall, Fleming represented NZ in 111 tests and scored 7172 runs at an average of 40.06 including nine test hundreds.

2. Daniel Vettori:

Former all-rounder Daniel Vettori was second cricketer from New Zealand to play 100 or more test matches. Vettori played his 100th test against India at Motera, Ahmedabad in 2010. Vettori retired from the game after representing the Kiwis in 112 tests. He also played one test match for World XI against Australia. In those 113 matches, Vettori took 362 wickets and scored 4531 runs. His career was laced with six hundreds, 23 fifties, 20 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket match hauls.

3. Brendon McCullum:

Brendon McCullum was third New Zealand cricketer to play 100 or more test matches. The former Kiwi captain played his 100th test match against Australia at the Basin Reserve, Wellington in 2016 and retired in the very next game.

In his career of 101 tests, McCullum scored 6453 runs at an average of 38.64 with 12 hundreds and 31 fifties. McCullum hit one triple hundred and three double hundreds in his test career for NZ. McCullum even smashed the fastest ever test hundred on his last test against Australia in 2016.

4. Ross Taylor:

The fourth cricketer from New Zealand to play 100 or more tests was Ross Taylor. Taylor played his 100th test against India at the Basin Reserve, Wellington in 2020. Taylor retired from the longest format of the game after representing his nation in 112 tests, which is the joint-most by a Kiwi cricketer.

In those 112 tests, he scored 7683 runs at an average of 43.43 including 19 hundreds and 35 fifties. Taylor also hit three double hundreds in his test career with a best of 290.

5. Tim Southee:

On 8 March, 2024, Tim Southee became fifth New Zealand cricketer to play 100 or more test matches when he stepped on the field to lead his side against Australia in the second of the two-match test series in 2024.

In his first 99 tests, Southee had picked 378 wickets including 15 five-wicket hauls and scored 2072 runs with the bat including six fifties and 87 sixes.

6. Kane Williamson:

During the same match when Tim Southee played his 100th test game for New Zealand, his fellow countryman, Kane Williamson also played his 100th test and joined the elusive list of Kiwi cricketers to play 100 or more test matches.

In his first 99 tests, Williamson scored 8675 runs including 32 hundreds and 33 fifties at an outstanding average of 55.25. Williamson currently is the highest run-scorer for New Zealand in this format of the game.

(List updated till 8th March, 2024)

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