Top 25 Famous Cricket Players Who Didn’t Play For Their Country Of Birth

Have you ever think about cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth? Cricket is one of the most widespread games across the globe. Legends of this game become gods for their country fans. But some of the legendary cricketers who haven’t been born in their own country still become iconic players. So in this article, I will tell you about 25 famous cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

List of Cricket Players Who Didn’t Play For Their Country Of Birth

1. Ajaz Patel (New Zealand)

Currently playing cricket for New Zealand, the spin bowler was born on October 21, 1988, in Mumbai, India. However, a few years later, he settled in New Zealand with his family. Patel, who has been playing domestic cricket, was recently made into the New Zealand national team. He has also played 9 Tests and 2 T20Is for his country so far. He is one of the Indian cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

2. Andrew Strauss (England)

The legendary Englishman has led his country to many spectacular victories as captain and batsman. However, Strauss was born on March 2, 1977, in Johannesburg, South Africa. But when he was six years old, his parents emigrated to England for some reason. Strauss, who has lived in England ever since has made a name for himself as one of the legendary batsmen in the country’s cricketing history. Strauss played 100 Tests, 127 ODIs, and 4 T20I matches for England in his career. He is one customary cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

3. Andrew Symonds (Australia)

It is a well-known fact that this dangerous all-rounder from Australia dominated limited-overs cricket like a gladiator. Symonds was initially born on June 9, 1975, in Birmingham, England. He also played some domestic cricket for England. But at the age of 14, Symonds had shifted to Australia with his parents. After that, he started playing for Australia and created many records. Symonds has played 26 Tests, 198 ODIs, and 14 T20I matches for Australia in his international career.

4. Ben Stokes (England)

Ben Stokes, who magically won the World Cup for England in 2019 final, is currently designated as one of the best all-rounders in world cricket. But Stokes was born on June 4, 1991, in Christchurch, New Zealand. He emigrated to England with his parents when he was 12 years old. Stokes began his career as a rugby player and later became a cricketer, who prevented his native New Zealand from winning the World Cup. The current England vice-captain, Stokes, has played 71 Tests, 101 ODIs, and 34 T20Is. He is one of the best three-dimensional cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

5. BJ Watling (New Zealand)

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who recently retired from cricket, was a crucial player in the New Zealand Test team. Watling was initially born on July 9, 1985, in Durban, South Africa. He also studied cricket in South Africa until he was ten years old. However, his family later emigrated to New Zealand for some reason. With this, Watling started his domestic career in New Zealand. He has played in 75 Tests, 28 ODIs, and 5 T20I matches. He is one of the good wicket-keeping cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

6. Chris Jordan (England)

The English star pace bowler was born on October 4, 1988, in Barbados, in the Caribbean. He also completed his entire schooling in Barbados. But as his grandparents were English citizens, he shifted to England after completing his education and settled there. Jordan started playing cricket not for the West Indies but for England and became a T20 specialist bowler. Jordan has played 8 Tests, 34 ODIs, and 65 T20I matches for England so far.

7. Colin de Grandhomme (New Zealand)

The New Zealand pace all-rounder has given his team class success many times with his powerful batting. However, de Grandhomme was born on July 22, 1986, in Harare, Zimbabwe. He also played the Under-19 World Cup for Zimbabwe. But then he and his family shifted to New Zealand, where cricket has supreme importance. Grandhomme, who has excelled in the New Zealand domestic circle, earned a spot on the national team within few days. Grandhomme has played 24 Tests, 42 ODIs, and 36 T20I matches so far. He is one of the best three-dimensional cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

8. Colin Munro (New Zealand)

The destructive batsman from New Zealand is known as the T20 Specialist. Munro was born on March 11, 1987, in Durban, South Africa. He also completed his schooling in South Africa. However, his family later emigrated to Auckland, New Zealand. With this, Munro started playing under-19 cricket for New Zealand. He also earned a place in the national team, and till now, he has played 1 Test, 57 ODIs, and 65 T20I matches so far.

9. Craig Kieswetter (England)

The England wicket-keeper batsman, who played cricket, has now become a golf player. Kieswetter was born in South Africa on November 28, 1987, and emigrated to England. When he was playing in the counties, he earned a place in the England national team. Kieswetter played 46 ODIs and 25 T20s for England.

10. Eoin Morgan (England)

The left-handed batsman, who won World Cup for England in 2019, was not born in that country. Also, he did not make his debut for England. However, Morgan is currently the captain of the England limited-overs team. Born in Dublin, Ireland, on September 10, 1986, Morgan played domestic cricket and 23 ODIs for Ireland. He also scored his first century for Ireland. But he started playing for England in 2010 when he publicly stated that he wanted to play cricket for England from 13 years of age. Morgan has played 16 Tests, 246 ODIs, and 107 T20I matches for England so far. He is one legendary cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

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11. Grant Elliott (New Zealand)

Everyone remembers that when this player hit a six in the last over against South Africa in the 2015 World Cup semi-final to take New Zealand to the final for the first time. Elliott was born on March 21, 1979, in Johannesburg, South Africa. He also played domestic cricket for a long time in South Africa. However, he emigrated to New Zealand because of a lack of opportunities. Elliott, who has played for New Zealand ever since, has played 5 Tests, 83 ODIs, and 17 T20I matches in his career.

12. Imad Wasim (Pakistan)

The Pakistani spin all-rounder was born on December 18, 1988, in Glamorgan, England. Wasim’s father worked as an engineer there. However, Wasim’s family migrated to Pakistan a few years after his birth. With this, Wasim grew up in Pakistan and learned to play cricket. He also earned a place in the Pakistan National team and has played 55 ODIs and 52 T20I matches for the team so far.

13. Imran Tahir (South Africa)

Even though he played on pace bowling-friendly South African pitches, Tahir became one of the best leg-spinners with his spin magic. However, Tahir was initially born on March 27, 1979, in Lahore, Pakistan. He also played Pakistan Under-19 and Pakistan A teams. But he didn’t get respect in Pakistan cricket. However, Tahir went to England started playing counties, but still didn’t get enough opportunities. Within a few days, he emigrated back to South Africa. He played domestic cricket for almost five years before earning a place in the national team. Tahir played 20 Tests, 107 ODIs, and 38 T20I matches for South Africa.

14. Ish Sodhi (New Zealand)

He is currently the vital spinner in the New Zealand team and has a good record against India. But there is a reason for this. Sodhi was born on October 31, 1992, in Ludhiana, India. However, by the time he was 4, his parents had emigrated to the South Auckland area of ​​New Zealand. Sodhi, who learned cricket in New Zealand, performs well whenever he plays against India. Sodhi has played 17 Tests, 33 ODIs, and 57 T20I matches for New Zealand so far. He is one of the Indian cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

15. Jason Roy (England)

The England star opener has been named one of the most dangerous batsmen in current world cricket. Roy was born on July 21, 1990, in Durban, South Africa. But he moved to England with his family when he was ten years old. Roy, who has excelled in domestic cricket in England, has earned a place in the national team and has played 5 Tests, 98 ODIs, and 48 T20I matches for the country so far. He is one of the destructive cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

16. Jofra Archer (England)

The England super-fast bowler is currently one of the best bowlers in the world. Archer was born on April 1, 1995, in Bridgetown, Barbados. Archer also played domestic cricket for the West Indies Under-19 team. But from 2015, he started living in England with the help of his father. At this time, Archer began playing county cricket. But he must have lived in England for at least seven years to play on their national team.

However, in 2018, England shortened the rule from seven to three years to play him in World Cup. Archer, who is currently a key player in the England team, has played 13 Tests, 17 ODIs, and 12 T20Is for his country so far. He is one of the emerging cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

17. Jonathan Trott (England)

With an average of around 50 in ODIs and Test formats, Trott is one of the most consistent batsmen who played for England. Trott was born on April 22, 1981, in Cape Town, South Africa. He also played under-15 and under-19 cricket for South Africa. However, due to some reasons, he moved to England with his family. Trott, who has since played in the counties, earned a place in the England national team and played 52 Tests, 68 ODIs, and 7 T20Is.

18. Kevin Pietersen (England)

The legendary Englishman is one of the best batsmen for his country. He is also known as a versatile batsman with his batting style. Pietersen was born on June 27, 1980, in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa. He played his domestic cricket in South Africa. However, he later left South Africa and emigrated to England due to disputes between his teammates and the South African Cricket Board. Pietersen then went on to earn a place in the England national team, playing a total of 104 Tests, 136 ODIs, and 37 T20I matches for the country, and gave many immeasurable victories. He is one legendary cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

19. Luke Ronchi (New Zealand)

The New Zealand wicket-keeper batsman, who currently plays for New Zealand, also played for the Australian national team. Born in New Zealand on April 23, 1981, Ronchi and his family emigrated to Perth, Australia, at an early age. He also grew up there and earned a place in the Australian national team. He also played his first ODI and T20I match for Australia. However, he did not get the right opportunities in the Australian team.

He decided to play for his home country New Zealand in 2012. The wicket-keeper batsman, who has played for New Zealand ever since, has played 4 Tests, 85 ODIs, and 33 T20I matches in his career so far. He is one of the good wicket-keeping cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

20. Matt Renshaw (Australia)

The Australian left-handed batsman was born on March 28, 1996, in Yorkshire, England. However, his family moved to New Zealand when he was seven years old. His parents then moved from New Zealand to Australia once again when he was ten years old. Renshaw, who has since grown up in Australia, has played 11 Tests for the country so far. He is one of the well-known cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

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21. Moises Henriques (Australia)

In Portugal, the Australian pace bowling all-rounder was born on February 1, 1987, a less significant country for cricket. However, he emigrated from Portugal to Australia with interest in cricket. Henriques, who later started playing on the Australian domestic circuit, slowly made his way to the national team and has played 4 Tests, 16 ODIs, and 24 T20I matches for the country. He is one of the emerging three-dimensional cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

22. Nasser Hussain (England)

Despite being the England former captain, he is one of the finest batsmen to have played for that country. Nasser was born on March 28, 1968, in Madras, India. However, when he was eight years old, his family moved to England for higher education. Nasser started playing cricket in that country and earned a place in the England national team for a few days. Nasser has played 96 Tests and 88 ODIs for England in his career. He is one fabulous cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

23. Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe)

The Zimbabwean star all-rounder was born on April 24, 1986, in Sialkot, Pakistan. Raza lived in Pakistan until he reached young age, about 2001. But later, he emigrated to Zimbabwe with his family. Since then, Sikander has played in 17 Tests, 105 ODIs, and 42 T20I matches for the Zimbabwean national team. He is one of the best three-dimensional cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

24. Tom Curran (England)

The English pace all-rounder was born on March 12, 1995, in Cape Town, South Africa. However, his father was a former Zimbabwean cricketer. With that, Tom completed his schooling in Zimbabwe. But later, he shifted to England for higher education. Tom Curran, who later started playing club cricket, earned a place in the England national team and has played 2 Tests, 24 ODIs, and 27 T20I matches for the country so far. He is one of the emerging cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

25. Usman Khawaja (Australia)

The Australian left-handed batsman is currently one of the finest batsmen for his country. However, Khawaja was born on December 18, 1986, in Islamabad, Pakistan. But by the time he was 5, his parents had moved from Pakistan to New South Wales, Australia. It made Khawaja the first player to play for Australia with a Pakistani origin. Khawaja has so far played 44 Tests, 40 ODIs, and 9 T20I matches for Australia. He is one of the immeasurable cricket players who didn’t play for their country of birth.

So, guys, these are the Top 25 Famous Cricket Players Who Didn’t Play For Their Country Of Birth. I hope this article was helpful. Thank you for reading ?