New Zealand's 26 all out, and other enduring records
On the 65th anniversary of New Zealand's 26 all out, we look at other major records that have stood for at least 50 years
Bharath Seervi
28-Mar-2020
The record for biggest Test score on debut has been held by Garry Sobers for 62 years • CPL/Sportsfile
On the 65th anniversary of the lowest innings score ever in Test cricket, we look at other major records that have stood for at least 50 years
On March 28, 1955, New Zealand were bundled out for a little over by England in Auckland. Sixty-five years later, that is still the lowest total in Tests. The closest any team has come to breaking that record was Ireland, when they folded for 38 against England at Lord's last year. Here's a look at other major records in men's cricket that have survived for over a half-century.
Highest percentage of runs by a batsman in a completed Test innings
In the first ever Test, in 1877, Charles Bannerman scored an unbeaten 165 out of Australia's 245, which is a 67.34% contribution. Since then, the closest anyone has come to that mark is Michael Slater, who scored 66.84% of his team's runs (123 out of 184) in the New Year Test at the SCG in 1999.
In the first ever Test, in 1877, Charles Bannerman scored an unbeaten 165 out of Australia's 245, which is a 67.34% contribution. Since then, the closest anyone has come to that mark is Michael Slater, who scored 66.84% of his team's runs (123 out of 184) in the New Year Test at the SCG in 1999.
Oldest to make Test debut
One of the England players in that 1877 match above, England's James Southerton, was 49 years and 119 days old when the Test began. He remains the oldest debutant in Test cricket. Among the 15 oldest debutants on this list, only one started his Test career after 1960: South Africa's Omar Henry, who debuted in 1992.
One of the England players in that 1877 match above, England's James Southerton, was 49 years and 119 days old when the Test began. He remains the oldest debutant in Test cricket. Among the 15 oldest debutants on this list, only one started his Test career after 1960: South Africa's Omar Henry, who debuted in 1992.
Most runs in a Test series
Among the many records by Don Bradman that haven't been broken yet is the one for highest aggregate in a Test series. He accumulated 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes, in which he scored four centuries. Three of those were double-centuries, which is also a record for any series. The closest any batsman has come to this in the last 50 years was when Mark Taylor made 839 runs in the 1989 Ashes. Steven Smith aggregated 750-plus runs in a series twice in the last decade.
Among the many records by Don Bradman that haven't been broken yet is the one for highest aggregate in a Test series. He accumulated 974 runs in the 1930 Ashes, in which he scored four centuries. Three of those were double-centuries, which is also a record for any series. The closest any batsman has come to this in the last 50 years was when Mark Taylor made 839 runs in the 1989 Ashes. Steven Smith aggregated 750-plus runs in a series twice in the last decade.
Best bowling figures in an innings and a match
Jim Laker's 10 for 53 in an innings and 19 for 90 in the match, at Old Trafford against Australia in 1956, are still the best innings and match figures in Tests. Anil Kumble is the only other bowler to take ten in an innings (10 for 74), but no bowler has matched Laker's 19 wickets in a match even in first-class cricket.
Jim Laker's 10 for 53 in an innings and 19 for 90 in the match, at Old Trafford against Australia in 1956, are still the best innings and match figures in Tests. Anil Kumble is the only other bowler to take ten in an innings (10 for 74), but no bowler has matched Laker's 19 wickets in a match even in first-class cricket.
Longest Test career
Wilfred Rhodes played 58 Tests in a 30-year-long career between 1899 and 1930. He was 53 when he played his final Test. In recent times, Sachin Tendulkar came closest to that mark when he retired in 2013 after a career of 24 years.
Wilfred Rhodes played 58 Tests in a 30-year-long career between 1899 and 1930. He was 53 when he played his final Test. In recent times, Sachin Tendulkar came closest to that mark when he retired in 2013 after a career of 24 years.
Highest individual score and best bowling figures on Test debut
Both these records are over 100 years old: Albert Trott picked up 8 for 43 on his debut in 1895, figures that haven't been bettered by a debutant, though Bob Massie (in 1972) and Narendra Hirwani (1988) took eight wickets in each innings on their debut.
Both these records are over 100 years old: Albert Trott picked up 8 for 43 on his debut in 1895, figures that haven't been bettered by a debutant, though Bob Massie (in 1972) and Narendra Hirwani (1988) took eight wickets in each innings on their debut.
The highest individual score on Test debut is Tip Foster's 287, a record that has stood since 1903. Jacques Rudolph came somewhat close with an unbeaten 222 on his debut in 2003.
Most wickets in a Test series
Sydney Barnes picked up 49 wickets in a four-match series against South Africa in 1913-14, which remains a record for the most wickets in a series. In the last 30 years, only once has a bowler touched the 40-wicket mark in a series - Shane Warne in the 2005 Ashes.
Sydney Barnes picked up 49 wickets in a four-match series against South Africa in 1913-14, which remains a record for the most wickets in a series. In the last 30 years, only once has a bowler touched the 40-wicket mark in a series - Shane Warne in the 2005 Ashes.
Most centuries in a Test series
Clyde Walcott scored five centuries in the five-match series against Australia in 1955. Several players have scored four hundreds in a series, including Virat Kohli and Steven Smith in recent years. Walcott also scored centuries in both innings of a match twice in that series, which is also unmatched by any player yet.
Clyde Walcott scored five centuries in the five-match series against Australia in 1955. Several players have scored four hundreds in a series, including Virat Kohli and Steven Smith in recent years. Walcott also scored centuries in both innings of a match twice in that series, which is also unmatched by any player yet.
Most consecutive centuries and five-wicket hauls
Everton Weekes scored five hundreds in five consecutive innings in 1948, a record that is yet to be matched in more than 70 years since. Rahul Dravid came closest, with four hundreds in four innings in 2002.
Charlie Turner picked up five-wicket hauls in six consecutive innings in 1888, which too has been unequalled since then. In the last 50 years only one bowler has come close - Shane Shillingford took five consecutive five-fors in 2013.
Everton Weekes scored five hundreds in five consecutive innings in 1948, a record that is yet to be matched in more than 70 years since. Rahul Dravid came closest, with four hundreds in four innings in 2002.
Charlie Turner picked up five-wicket hauls in six consecutive innings in 1888, which too has been unequalled since then. In the last 50 years only one bowler has come close - Shane Shillingford took five consecutive five-fors in 2013.
Youngest and oldest to take five-wicket hauls
A few months ago, Pakistan's 16-year old sensation Naseem Shah picked up a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka. However, he missed being the youngest bowler to take a five-for by a few days; that record still belongs to his countryman Nasim-ul-Ghani, from 1958.
A few months ago, Pakistan's 16-year old sensation Naseem Shah picked up a five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka. However, he missed being the youngest bowler to take a five-for by a few days; that record still belongs to his countryman Nasim-ul-Ghani, from 1958.
Meanwhile, in 1932, Australia's Bert Ironmonger took 6 for 18 and 11 for 24 against South Africa at the age of 49 years, 311 days making him the oldest to take a five-wicket haul and ten-plus wickets in a match.
Biggest maiden Test century score and longest Test innings
Garry Sobers converted his maiden century into a triple and finished on a record unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958. Since then two batsmen have converted their maiden hundreds into triples, including Karun Nair in 2016, but Sobers' innings remains the biggest maiden Test hundred. Sobers also became the youngest to score a triple-century and holds that record still.
Garry Sobers converted his maiden century into a triple and finished on a record unbeaten 365 against Pakistan in 1958. Since then two batsmen have converted their maiden hundreds into triples, including Karun Nair in 2016, but Sobers' innings remains the biggest maiden Test hundred. Sobers also became the youngest to score a triple-century and holds that record still.
Earlier in that series, Pakistan's Hanif Mohammad played a marathon 970-minute innings for 337 after Pakistan followed on. That is still the longest innings in term of time spent at the crease. He is also the only batsman to score a triple-century while following on. Also, that series between Pakistan and West Indies is still the only one to feature two triple-centuries.
Two hat tricks in a Test
Jimmy Matthews of Australia took two hat-tricks in the same Test against South Africa at Old Trafford in 1912. No other bowler has achieved it since. Matthews picked up both those hat-tricks on the same day in different innings of the match.
Jimmy Matthews of Australia took two hat-tricks in the same Test against South Africa at Old Trafford in 1912. No other bowler has achieved it since. Matthews picked up both those hat-tricks on the same day in different innings of the match.
Bharath Seervi is stats sub-editor at ESPNcricinfo @SeerviBharath