Not-out hundreds, and just missing them
Unbeaten on a ton in both innings, the lowest average among century-makers, the lowest-scoring captains, and Dravid's Scotland stint
Steven Lynch
08-Dec-2009
Aravinda de Silva: the only one to make unbeaten centuries in both innings of a Test • Mike Finn Kelcey/Getty Images
Has anyone ever made a not-out century in each innings of a Test? asked D Shashika from Sri Lanka
Rather surprisingly, perhaps, this has happened only once in Test history: when Sri Lanka played Pakistan in Colombo in April 1997 Aravinda de Silva scored 138 not out in the first innings and 103 not out in the second. There was a near-miss in the match between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare in September 2001 - Andy Flower was last out for 142 in Zimbabwe's first innings, and finished with 199 not out in the second.
Rather surprisingly, perhaps, this has happened only once in Test history: when Sri Lanka played Pakistan in Colombo in April 1997 Aravinda de Silva scored 138 not out in the first innings and 103 not out in the second. There was a near-miss in the match between Zimbabwe and South Africa in Harare in September 2001 - Andy Flower was last out for 142 in Zimbabwe's first innings, and finished with 199 not out in the second.
Was Angelo Mathews the first Sri Lankan to be out for 99 in a Test? asked Kiran Gosala from India
Angelo Mathews, who fell one short of his century against India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai last week, was actually the third Sri Lankan to fall for 99 in a Test. The others were Russel Arnold, against Pakistan in Peshawar in 1999-2000, and Mahela Jayawardene, against West Indies in Galle in 2001-02. Mathews, who has not yet scored a Test century, will be hoping that he is not destined to finish his Test career with a highest score of 99 - a fate that befell, among others, Shane Warne, Dipak Patel and Rusi Surti. For the full list of players dismissed for 99 in Tests, click here.
Angelo Mathews, who fell one short of his century against India at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai last week, was actually the third Sri Lankan to fall for 99 in a Test. The others were Russel Arnold, against Pakistan in Peshawar in 1999-2000, and Mahela Jayawardene, against West Indies in Galle in 2001-02. Mathews, who has not yet scored a Test century, will be hoping that he is not destined to finish his Test career with a highest score of 99 - a fate that befell, among others, Shane Warne, Dipak Patel and Rusi Surti. For the full list of players dismissed for 99 in Tests, click here.
What is the lowest career average by someone who made a Test century? asked Glenn from Australia
Three players who made a Test century finished their careers with an average of less than 15 - Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq (14.48), the South African legspinner of Greek extraction Xenophon Balaskas (14.50), and Jack Badcock of Australia with 14.54. Badcock, a genuine batsman with a first-class triple-century to his name, made 118 against England in Melbourne in 1936-37, but failed to reach double figures in his other 11 Test innings. Next comes England's Frank Hayes, who averaged only 15.25 despite scoring a century on debut in 1973. He did have something of an excuse: all Hayes' nine Tests were against the strong West Indian side of the time. Next on the list is Jerome Taylor, whose average is currently only 15.72 despite his 106 against New Zealand in Dunedin in December 2008.
Three players who made a Test century finished their careers with an average of less than 15 - Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq (14.48), the South African legspinner of Greek extraction Xenophon Balaskas (14.50), and Jack Badcock of Australia with 14.54. Badcock, a genuine batsman with a first-class triple-century to his name, made 118 against England in Melbourne in 1936-37, but failed to reach double figures in his other 11 Test innings. Next comes England's Frank Hayes, who averaged only 15.25 despite scoring a century on debut in 1973. He did have something of an excuse: all Hayes' nine Tests were against the strong West Indian side of the time. Next on the list is Jerome Taylor, whose average is currently only 15.72 despite his 106 against New Zealand in Dunedin in December 2008.
Who scored the fewest number of runs as a Test captain, having led in at least 10 matches? asked Srikanth from the United States
The first name on this rather specialised list is Fazal Mahmood, who scored just 116 runs (average 8.28) in 10 matches as Pakistan's captain. Next comes Courtney Walsh, with 120 runs (7.50) in 22 matches in charge of West Indies. Then there's a big gap to Bob Willis, who made 216 runs (12.00) in 18 matches as England's captain. A rather surprising name at sixth place on this list is Ian Botham, who made only 276 runs (13.14) in his 12 matches as England's skipper. For the full list, click here.
The first name on this rather specialised list is Fazal Mahmood, who scored just 116 runs (average 8.28) in 10 matches as Pakistan's captain. Next comes Courtney Walsh, with 120 runs (7.50) in 22 matches in charge of West Indies. Then there's a big gap to Bob Willis, who made 216 runs (12.00) in 18 matches as England's captain. A rather surprising name at sixth place on this list is Ian Botham, who made only 276 runs (13.14) in his 12 matches as England's skipper. For the full list, click here.
Cricinfo's player page for Rahul Dravid lists Scotland as one of his teams. When did he play for them? asked Chidambaresam from India
Rahul Dravid was Scotland's overseas player for their matches in the English National League (45-overs matches) in 2003. In his 11 matches he scored 600 runs at an average of 66.66, with three centuries - 129 not out against Nottinghamshire in Edinburgh, 120 not out against Somerset in Taunton, and 114 in Northampton. He also played for Scotland against the Pakistan tourists in Glasgow - and was out first ball for a duck.
Rahul Dravid was Scotland's overseas player for their matches in the English National League (45-overs matches) in 2003. In his 11 matches he scored 600 runs at an average of 66.66, with three centuries - 129 not out against Nottinghamshire in Edinburgh, 120 not out against Somerset in Taunton, and 114 in Northampton. He also played for Scotland against the Pakistan tourists in Glasgow - and was out first ball for a duck.
In connection with last week's question about who has finished on the winning side most often in Tests, what is the corresponding answer in ODIs? asked S Vijay from Chennai
Coincidentally, Ricky Ponting - who is one win away from equalling the most in Tests - is also one away from tying the record for being on the winning side in one-day internationals as I write. Currently Ponting has won 232 ODIs (out of the 330 he has played, one of which was for the World XI), one behind Sanath Jayasuriya. Sachin Tendulkar (217), Inzamam-ul-Haq (215) and Adam Gilchrist (205) have also finished on the winning side in more than 200 ODIs, while Wasim Akram (199) narrowly missed out. Just in case anyone's wondering, the players with the most Twenty20 international wins under their belts at the moment are Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik, with 21, one ahead of Shahid Afridi.
Coincidentally, Ricky Ponting - who is one win away from equalling the most in Tests - is also one away from tying the record for being on the winning side in one-day internationals as I write. Currently Ponting has won 232 ODIs (out of the 330 he has played, one of which was for the World XI), one behind Sanath Jayasuriya. Sachin Tendulkar (217), Inzamam-ul-Haq (215) and Adam Gilchrist (205) have also finished on the winning side in more than 200 ODIs, while Wasim Akram (199) narrowly missed out. Just in case anyone's wondering, the players with the most Twenty20 international wins under their belts at the moment are Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik, with 21, one ahead of Shahid Afridi.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Cricinfo 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