The five longest Test careers
Brian Close, who died on Monday aged 84, had a Test career that lasted nearly 27 years
Wilfred Rhodes (England)
Span: 30 years and 315 days (June 1899 - April 1930)
Trivia: Rhodes is one of only three players to have batted in all 11 positions in Tests • PA Photos
Span: 26 years and 356 days (July 1949 - July 1976)
Trivia: Close was also a talented footballer - he made one appearance for Arsenal and six each for Bradford City and Leeds United•PA Photos
Span: 25 years and 13 days (August 1909 - August 1934)
Trivia: Woolley is the second highest run-getter in first-class cricket. Only Jack Hobbs has scored more than the 58,959 runs Woolley amassed in 978 matches.•Getty Images
Span: 24 years and 10 days (January 1930 - January 1954)
Trivia: Headley was born in Panama but was taken to Jamaica, aged 10, to improve his English which would enable him study dentistry in the United States. Had there not been a delay in getting his passport for the US, he might have been lost to the game.•PA Photos