22 for 222

Alert readers of the Notcher’s Natter will have noticed a piece of trivia at the end of the last post about Brian Close holding the record for most Tests missed during a career. Over the course of his Test career, which spanned from 1949 (aged 18) to 1976 (aged 45), he played 22 Tests of the 244 that England played in that time. His 222 Tests missed is the record, which must have delighted Richie Benaud. Let’s have a look at this and adjacent stats.