Miscellaneous

1st Test, West Indies v South Africa, Statistical Highlights

It was the 1534th Test match in cricket history

Rajneesh Gupta
17-Mar-2001
  • It was the 1534th Test match in cricket history.
  • It was West Indies' 370th and South Africa's 252nd Test.
  • It was the seventh Test between the two sides. The record now reads: West Indies one, South Africa 5, drawn one.
  • It was the second Test between the two sides on West Indian soil.. The record now reads: West Indies one, drawn one.
  • Umpires John Hampshire and Eddie Nicholls were officiating in their 16th and 14th Test respectively.
  • Carl Hooper was returning to West Indian side after missing 17 matches. He had last appeared for West Indies against Australia at St.John's in 1998-99.
  • Hooper was leading West Indies for the first time to become the 26th player to captain West Indies in a Test. He had to wait for 80 Tests before being handed over the responsibility of leading the side. With this he equalled Gordon Greenidge's record of most experienced player to lead West Indies in a Test. Greenidge was given the responsibility against Pakistan at Georgetown in 1987-88. The Test record lies with Steve Waugh who captained Australia for the first time (v West Indies at Port-of- Spain in 1998-99). In his 112th match.
  • Gary Kirsten was playing his 69th match which makes him the most capped South Africa. He was previously at level with Hansie Cronje with 68 matches.
  • The catch of Chris Gayle was 150 dismissal (146 catches and 4 stumpings) for Mark Boucher. He became second South African after Dave Richardson and 16th wicket keeper to reach this milestone. By taking 38 matches, Boucher became the fastest to accomplish this feat bettering Australian Rod Marsh's record who had completed his 150 dismissals in his 39th match.
  • The second wicket partnership of 88 between Chris Gayle and Marlon Samuels is the best for West Indies for this wicket bettering the 56 run-partnership between Desmond Haynes and Brian Lara in the Bridgetown Test in 1991-92.
  • The ninth wicket partnership of 62 runs between Carl Hooper and Mervin Dillon is West Indies' best for this wicket against South Africa surpassing the previous record stand of 34 between Ridley Jacobs and Curlty Ambrose at Cape Town in 1998-99.
  • The second wicket partnership of 146 runs between Gary Kirsten and Jacques Kallis is South Africa's best for this wicket against West Indies expunging the previous record partnership of 125 between Andrew Hudson and Kepler Wessels at Bridgetown in 1991-92.
  • The catch of Cullinan was 100th dismissal for Ridley Jacobs (96 catches and 4 stumpings). By taking 27 Tests to do so Jacobs became the fifth fastest to achieve this landmark after South African Mark Boucher (23 Tests), Australian Wally Grout (24), South African Dave Richardson (24) and Australian Rodney Marsh (25).
  • It was the fourth occasion when Kirsten made a score of 150 plus. The others being 275 v England at Durban in 1999-00, 210 v England at Manchester in 2000 and 180 v SL at Durban in 2000-01. Kirsten has now equalled Daryll Cullinan's record tally of 150 plus scores for South Africa.
  • The fifth wicket partnership of 89 runs in the second innings between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Carl Hooper is West Indies' highest for this wicket against South Africa obliterating the 74 run stand between Darren Ganga and Carl Hooper at Cape Town in 1998-99.
  • Ridley Jacobs (18* on 11) completed his 1000 runs in Test cricket in his 27th Test (49th innings). He became 40th West Indian and 361st batsman in all to reach this milestone. He became third West Indian after Jeff Dujon (3146 runs in 79 matches) and DL Murray (1993 runs in 62 matches) and 31st wicket keeper in Test history to do so.
  • With this Jacobs also completed the coveted double of 1000 runs and 100 dismissals. Jacobs is now the second fastest to complete the all round double of 1000 runs and 100 dismissals. Only Australian Rodney Marsh has taken lesser Tests to do so accomplishing the feat in his 25th Test.
  • West Indies' first innings total of 304 was its highest against South Africa beating the 283 it had made at Bridgetown in 1991-92. However by scoring 333 for seven in the second innings, West Indies improved upon its first innings effort.
  • It was after 18 Tests that West Indies managed to score 300 plus runs in each innings of a Test. The last such occasion being versus Australia at Port-of-Spain in 1998-99. West Indies had then made 329 and 311 for nine to register a remarkable one wicket win.
  • The draw ended the West Indies' streak of seven consecutive losses.