Lillee's keeper, and losing from 500
Most wickets in England-Sri Lanka Tests, most Test wins, the longest gap between hundreds, and the oldest player to get a maiden ton
Steven Lynch
31-May-2011
Warren Bardsley waited nearly 14 years between Test centuries • PA Photos
Is it true that only one wicketkeeper other than Rodney Marsh assisted Dennis Lillee in a Test dismissal? asked Bob Langford from Australia
The answer is yes - the only other wicketkeeper to take a catch off Lillee in a Test was Tasmania's Roger Woolley, in a match against Sri Lanka in Kandy in April 1983. He caught Sidath Wettimuny in the first innings and the other opener, Susil Fernando, in the second. Marsh took 95 catches off Lillee - still the record for a fielder-bowler combination in Tests - but he was unavailable for that short tour, although he hadn't quite retired.
The answer is yes - the only other wicketkeeper to take a catch off Lillee in a Test was Tasmania's Roger Woolley, in a match against Sri Lanka in Kandy in April 1983. He caught Sidath Wettimuny in the first innings and the other opener, Susil Fernando, in the second. Marsh took 95 catches off Lillee - still the record for a fielder-bowler combination in Tests - but he was unavailable for that short tour, although he hadn't quite retired.
Woolley, a fine keeper who was unfortunate that his career coincided with Marsh's, won one further Test cap, in the West Indies early in 1984. He was the first Tasmania player to represent Australia in a Test since Laurie Nash in 1931-32.
Which team was once 353 for 1 at the end of the opening day of a first-class match, yet lost by an innings? asked Michael Jones via Facebook
I was intrigued by this question, and had just found the answer when it was posted by another avid Facebook user, Pete Church from Australia. The game in question was an English County Championship match in Northampton in 1995, when Nottinghamshire were riding high at 353 for 1 at the end of the first day. Tim Robinson (who went on to make 209) and Graeme Archer (158) had put on nearly 300. Nottinghamshire reached 527 next day - but Northamptonshire replied with 781 for 7, including four individual centuries, before declaring. Probably rather surprised to find themselves 254 behind, Notts were bowled out on the fourth and final day for 157 (Anil Kumble had the fine figures of 39.1-21-43-5) and lost by an innings and 97. Nottinghamshire's 527 remains the highest total in first-class history by a team who ended up losing by an innings. Wisden reported that "Northamptonshire's victory, achieved with 17 balls to spare, went beyond the merely extraordinary into the realms of the apparently impossible."
I was intrigued by this question, and had just found the answer when it was posted by another avid Facebook user, Pete Church from Australia. The game in question was an English County Championship match in Northampton in 1995, when Nottinghamshire were riding high at 353 for 1 at the end of the first day. Tim Robinson (who went on to make 209) and Graeme Archer (158) had put on nearly 300. Nottinghamshire reached 527 next day - but Northamptonshire replied with 781 for 7, including four individual centuries, before declaring. Probably rather surprised to find themselves 254 behind, Notts were bowled out on the fourth and final day for 157 (Anil Kumble had the fine figures of 39.1-21-43-5) and lost by an innings and 97. Nottinghamshire's 527 remains the highest total in first-class history by a team who ended up losing by an innings. Wisden reported that "Northamptonshire's victory, achieved with 17 balls to spare, went beyond the merely extraordinary into the realms of the apparently impossible."
I assume that Murali has the most wickets in England-Sri Lanka Tests. But who's next? asked Jonathan Dwyer from Surrey
Muttiah Muralitharan does indeed lead the way in England-Sri Lanka Tests, with 112 wickets in only 16 matches at the splendid average of 20.06. That included four ten-wicket hauls, foremost among them his 16 for 220 at The Oval in 1998. Murali actually has more than twice as many wickets as anyone else: next comes his long-time confederate Chaminda Vaas, who took 49 wickets against England at 31.36 apiece. In third place is the leading Englishman, Matthew Hoggard, with 37 at 29.86.
Muttiah Muralitharan does indeed lead the way in England-Sri Lanka Tests, with 112 wickets in only 16 matches at the splendid average of 20.06. That included four ten-wicket hauls, foremost among them his 16 for 220 at The Oval in 1998. Murali actually has more than twice as many wickets as anyone else: next comes his long-time confederate Chaminda Vaas, who took 49 wickets against England at 31.36 apiece. In third place is the leading Englishman, Matthew Hoggard, with 37 at 29.86.
Taufeeq Umar scored a Test century against West Indies almost eight years after his last one. Is this a record gap? asked Mahela Silva from Sri Lanka
Taufeeq Umar, whose previous Test century to last week's 135 against West Indies in St Kitts was 111 against South Africa in Lahore in October 2003, is quite high on this particular list - but not quite at the top. The longest gap between Test centuries is just short of 14 years, by the Australian Warren Bardsley: after his 164 against South Africa at Lord's in July 1912, his next Test century did not come until June 1926, when he carried his bat for 193 against England, again at Lord's. That gap included the First World War, and the longest between Test centuries when no war was involved is almost 10 years, by another Australian, Bob Simpson. He made 109 against India in Melbourne on New Year's Day, 1968, shortly before his original retirement from Test cricket. But he made a surprise return 10 seasons later to lead an Australian side ravaged by defections to World Series Cricket, and - playing India again - made 176 in his second Test back, in Perth in December 1977.
Taufeeq Umar, whose previous Test century to last week's 135 against West Indies in St Kitts was 111 against South Africa in Lahore in October 2003, is quite high on this particular list - but not quite at the top. The longest gap between Test centuries is just short of 14 years, by the Australian Warren Bardsley: after his 164 against South Africa at Lord's in July 1912, his next Test century did not come until June 1926, when he carried his bat for 193 against England, again at Lord's. That gap included the First World War, and the longest between Test centuries when no war was involved is almost 10 years, by another Australian, Bob Simpson. He made 109 against India in Melbourne on New Year's Day, 1968, shortly before his original retirement from Test cricket. But he made a surprise return 10 seasons later to lead an Australian side ravaged by defections to World Series Cricket, and - playing India again - made 176 in his second Test back, in Perth in December 1977.
Has anyone ever finished on the winning side in 100 Test matches? And who's the record-holder for ODIs? asked Keith Clarke from London
No one has won 100 Test matches… yet. Top of the list is Ricky Ponting, who has so far finished on the winning side on 99 occasions. Next come Shane Warne (92), Steve Waugh (86), Glenn McGrath (84), Adam Gilchrist (73), Mark Waugh (72), Matthew Hayden (71), Justin Langer (70) and - the first non-Australian - Mark Boucher (70). Ponting also leads the way in one-day internationals, having finished on the winning side on 254 occasions so far. Next come Sanath Jayasuriya (233), Sachin Tendulkar (230), Inzamam-ul-Haq (215), Adam Gilchrist and Muttiah Muralitharan (202) and Jacques Kallis (201). The current leader in Twenty20 internationals is Shahid Afridi, with 26, one ahead of his team-mate Kamran Akmal.
No one has won 100 Test matches… yet. Top of the list is Ricky Ponting, who has so far finished on the winning side on 99 occasions. Next come Shane Warne (92), Steve Waugh (86), Glenn McGrath (84), Adam Gilchrist (73), Mark Waugh (72), Matthew Hayden (71), Justin Langer (70) and - the first non-Australian - Mark Boucher (70). Ponting also leads the way in one-day internationals, having finished on the winning side on 254 occasions so far. Next come Sanath Jayasuriya (233), Sachin Tendulkar (230), Inzamam-ul-Haq (215), Adam Gilchrist and Muttiah Muralitharan (202) and Jacques Kallis (201). The current leader in Twenty20 internationals is Shahid Afridi, with 26, one ahead of his team-mate Kamran Akmal.
Who is the oldest player to score his first Test century? asked James Tiver via Facebook
The oldest man to complete his maiden Test century was the South African Dave Nourse - appropriately, perhaps, he was often known as "Old Dave" - who was a couple of months short of his 43rd birthday when he made 111 against Australia at the Old Wanderers ground in Johannesburg in November 1921. Five other batsmen scored their first Test century after their 39th birthday (but before passing 40), including Peter Kirsten, who made 104 for South Africa against England at Headingley in 1994. For a full list, click here.
The oldest man to complete his maiden Test century was the South African Dave Nourse - appropriately, perhaps, he was often known as "Old Dave" - who was a couple of months short of his 43rd birthday when he made 111 against Australia at the Old Wanderers ground in Johannesburg in November 1921. Five other batsmen scored their first Test century after their 39th birthday (but before passing 40), including Peter Kirsten, who made 104 for South Africa against England at Headingley in 1994. For a full list, click here.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket. If you want to ask Steven a question, use our feedback form. The most interesting questions will be answered here each week. Ask Steven is also now on Facebook