Chasing centuries, and rocketing run rates
A T20 special that includes worst bowling figures, lowest team totals, and minnow wins
Steven Lynch
01-Apr-2014
Netherlands scored at a record 13.95 runs an over against Ireland in the World Twenty20 • ICC
Following Alex Hales' heroics against Sri Lanka, how many other hundreds have been scored in the second innings of a Twenty20 international? asked Trevor Ashworth from Canada
Alex Hales' sensational 116 not out for England against Sri Lanka in Chittagong in the World Twenty20 last week was the 11th century in T20 internationals (Ahmed Shehzad added the 12th three days later). Only two others came in the second innings of the match: Richard Levi's rapid 117 not out for South Africa against New Zealand in Hamilton in February 2012 (he reached his hundred in 45 balls), and Martin Guptill's 101 not out for New Zealand v South Africa in East London in December 2012.
Alex Hales' sensational 116 not out for England against Sri Lanka in Chittagong in the World Twenty20 last week was the 11th century in T20 internationals (Ahmed Shehzad added the 12th three days later). Only two others came in the second innings of the match: Richard Levi's rapid 117 not out for South Africa against New Zealand in Hamilton in February 2012 (he reached his hundred in 45 balls), and Martin Guptill's 101 not out for New Zealand v South Africa in East London in December 2012.
In their stunning victory over Ireland, Netherlands' run rate was nearly 14 per over. What's the Twenty20 international record? asked Andrew Bailey from Australia
Netherlands scored 193 for 4 in 13.5 overs against Ireland in Sylhet in the World Twenty20 preliminary phase - that's a rate of 13.95 an over. And that has never been exceeded in an uninterrupted match: the only quicker scoring overall was by New Zealand during the 2009 World Twenty20 at The Oval, when they piled up 90 for 3 in six overs - that's exactly 15 an over - to overhaul Scotland's 89 for 4. That, though, was in a match restricted by rain to seven overs per side. The next-highest scoring rate in a completed innings is 13 per over, by Sri Lanka in their record T20 international total of 260 for 6 against Kenya in Johannesburg during the first World Twenty20 in September 2007.
Netherlands scored 193 for 4 in 13.5 overs against Ireland in Sylhet in the World Twenty20 preliminary phase - that's a rate of 13.95 an over. And that has never been exceeded in an uninterrupted match: the only quicker scoring overall was by New Zealand during the 2009 World Twenty20 at The Oval, when they piled up 90 for 3 in six overs - that's exactly 15 an over - to overhaul Scotland's 89 for 4. That, though, was in a match restricted by rain to seven overs per side. The next-highest scoring rate in a completed innings is 13 per over, by Sri Lanka in their record T20 international total of 260 for 6 against Kenya in Johannesburg during the first World Twenty20 in September 2007.
Mashrafe Mortaza's four overs cost 63 against Pakistan. Were these the most expensive figures in a Twenty20 international? asked Keith Moore from England
Mashrafe Mortaza's 4-0-63-0 against Pakistan in Mirpur on Sunday equalled the worst figures for Bangladesh in T20 internationals - Rubel Hossain finished with 4-0-63-2 against West Indies in Mirpur in December 2012. But Mashrafe will be (slightly) relieved to know that they weren't quite the worst figures in all T20 internationals: Jimmy Anderson's four overs for England against Australia in Sydney in January 2007 cost 64 runs. Later the same year Sanath Jayasuriya also conceded 64 for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in the inaugural World Twenty20 in Johannesburg. Unlike Anderson, Jayasuriya didn't even have the consolation of a wicket.
Mashrafe Mortaza's 4-0-63-0 against Pakistan in Mirpur on Sunday equalled the worst figures for Bangladesh in T20 internationals - Rubel Hossain finished with 4-0-63-2 against West Indies in Mirpur in December 2012. But Mashrafe will be (slightly) relieved to know that they weren't quite the worst figures in all T20 internationals: Jimmy Anderson's four overs for England against Australia in Sydney in January 2007 cost 64 runs. Later the same year Sanath Jayasuriya also conceded 64 for Sri Lanka against Pakistan in the inaugural World Twenty20 in Johannesburg. Unlike Anderson, Jayasuriya didn't even have the consolation of a wicket.
Netherlands just failed to beat South Africa in the World Twenty20. How many victories have there been for Associate nations against Test-playing teams? asked Henry Parkinson from Portugal
Well, perhaps until yesterday's upset in Chittagong, the most famous T20 victory by an Associate team over a Test-playing one was also by Netherlands over England - at Lord's, no less - in the World Twenty20 in 2009. The Dutch have now met England twice in T20 internationals... and won them both! They also beat Bangladesh by one wicket in The Hague in July 2012, two days after Scotland also overcame them at the same ground. Ireland have recorded three T20 victories over senior opposition: they beat Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in the 2009 World Twenty20, toppled West Indies in Kingston earlier this year, and beat Zimbabwe in Sylhet in the qualifying stage of this World Twenty20. And finally, also in this tournament, Hong Kong beat Bangladesh by two wickets in Chittagong.
Well, perhaps until yesterday's upset in Chittagong, the most famous T20 victory by an Associate team over a Test-playing one was also by Netherlands over England - at Lord's, no less - in the World Twenty20 in 2009. The Dutch have now met England twice in T20 internationals... and won them both! They also beat Bangladesh by one wicket in The Hague in July 2012, two days after Scotland also overcame them at the same ground. Ireland have recorded three T20 victories over senior opposition: they beat Bangladesh at Trent Bridge in the 2009 World Twenty20, toppled West Indies in Kingston earlier this year, and beat Zimbabwe in Sylhet in the qualifying stage of this World Twenty20. And finally, also in this tournament, Hong Kong beat Bangladesh by two wickets in Chittagong.
Netherlands were dismissed for 39 by Sri Lanka. Was this the lowest team total in any Twenty20 match? asked Ricky Dooley from New Zealand
Netherlands' embarrassing collapse to 39 all out against Sri Lanka in Chittagong last week was easily the lowest in T20 internationals, undercutting Kenya's 56 against Afghanistan in Sharjah in September 2013. The lowest by a Test-playing nation is 60, by New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Chittagong yesterday; prior to that it was 74 - by India against Australia in Melbourne in February 2008, and also by Pakistan against Australia in Dubai in September 2012. There has been only one lower total in any senior T20 match: in October 2009 Tripura were bowled out for 30 by Jharkhand in Dhanbad, with Mihir Dawakar taking 5 for 6. For the overall list, click here.
Netherlands' embarrassing collapse to 39 all out against Sri Lanka in Chittagong last week was easily the lowest in T20 internationals, undercutting Kenya's 56 against Afghanistan in Sharjah in September 2013. The lowest by a Test-playing nation is 60, by New Zealand against Sri Lanka at Chittagong yesterday; prior to that it was 74 - by India against Australia in Melbourne in February 2008, and also by Pakistan against Australia in Dubai in September 2012. There has been only one lower total in any senior T20 match: in October 2009 Tripura were bowled out for 30 by Jharkhand in Dhanbad, with Mihir Dawakar taking 5 for 6. For the overall list, click here.
A couple of months back West Indies successfully defended a total of 96 against Ireland. Is that the lowest first-innings total to win a complete Twenty20 international? asked Faraz Ahmed from Pakistan
The match you're talking about was in Kingston in February: West Indies managed only 96 for 9, but then bowled Ireland out for 85 to win by 11 runs. It was the lowest total to win an uninterrupted T20 international, but there have been two lower successful totals in rain-affected games: Ireland scored only 43 for 7 in an innings reduced to nine overs in Belfast in August 2008, but somehow restricted Bermuda to 41 for 8. And in Hambantota in the last World Twenty20 in September 2012, South Africa made 78 for 4 in seven overs, and restricted Sri Lanka to 46 for 5 in reply.
The match you're talking about was in Kingston in February: West Indies managed only 96 for 9, but then bowled Ireland out for 85 to win by 11 runs. It was the lowest total to win an uninterrupted T20 international, but there have been two lower successful totals in rain-affected games: Ireland scored only 43 for 7 in an innings reduced to nine overs in Belfast in August 2008, but somehow restricted Bermuda to 41 for 8. And in Hambantota in the last World Twenty20 in September 2012, South Africa made 78 for 4 in seven overs, and restricted Sri Lanka to 46 for 5 in reply.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2013. Ask Steven is now on Facebook