Out to lefties, and longing for World Cup success
Plus, highest match aggregates and teams without centuries in World Cups
Steven Lynch
10-Mar-2015
Mahmudullah's century against England was Bangladesh's first in World Cups • BCB
In New Zealand's match against Australia, 14 of the wickets fell to left-arm bowlers. Was this the best in a World Cup? asked Stephen Anderson from New Zealand
The 14 wickets by left-armers in that New Zealand-Australia match in Auckland was indeed a record for the World Cup, beating 11 in the 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali, which was equalled by Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Brisbane in 2015. There's only a single one-day international in which more wickets fell to left-armers: 16 in the match between India and Australia in Mumbai in October 2007 - Murali Kartik led the way with 6 for 27.
The 14 wickets by left-armers in that New Zealand-Australia match in Auckland was indeed a record for the World Cup, beating 11 in the 2011 semi-final between India and Pakistan in Mohali, which was equalled by Pakistan and Zimbabwe in Brisbane in 2015. There's only a single one-day international in which more wickets fell to left-armers: 16 in the match between India and Australia in Mumbai in October 2007 - Murali Kartik led the way with 6 for 27.
Was the Australia-Sri Lanka match aggregate a World Cup record? asked Tom McAdam from Australia
The match aggregate of 688 runs by Australia (376 for 9) and Sri Lanka (312 for 9) in Sydney last week was a World Cup record, beating the 676 runs scored in the tied match between India (338) and England (338 for 8) in Bangalore in 2011. There have been six other World Cup matches with an aggregate of more than 650 runs, two of them from this year so far (West Indies-Zimbabwe in Canberra, and Ireland-Zimbabwe in Hobart). There have been 11 one-day internationals overall with higher aggregates than the Sydney 688, the list being headed by the amazing 872-run match between Australia (434 for 4) and South Africa (438 for 9) at Johannesburg in March 2006. For the full list, click here.
The match aggregate of 688 runs by Australia (376 for 9) and Sri Lanka (312 for 9) in Sydney last week was a World Cup record, beating the 676 runs scored in the tied match between India (338) and England (338 for 8) in Bangalore in 2011. There have been six other World Cup matches with an aggregate of more than 650 runs, two of them from this year so far (West Indies-Zimbabwe in Canberra, and Ireland-Zimbabwe in Hobart). There have been 11 one-day internationals overall with higher aggregates than the Sydney 688, the list being headed by the amazing 872-run match between Australia (434 for 4) and South Africa (438 for 9) at Johannesburg in March 2006. For the full list, click here.
Who has played the most World Cup matches without ever winning one? asked Nick Marston from England
The owner of this melancholy record is the Sri Lankan fast bowler Vinothen John, who took part in 11 World Cup matches in 1983 and 1987 but lost the lot. Next comes Roland Lefebvre, who lost all his nine matches for Netherlands in 1996 and 2003, while Gavin Hamilton (Scotland) and Alexei Kervezee (Netherlands) both played eight matches without winning one. The overall list is headed by three unfortunate Bangladeshi players: Al Sahariar played 29 one-day internationals without winning any, Sanwar Hossain 27, and Hannan Sarkar 20. Then comes the Bermudian Malachi Jones with 12.
The owner of this melancholy record is the Sri Lankan fast bowler Vinothen John, who took part in 11 World Cup matches in 1983 and 1987 but lost the lot. Next comes Roland Lefebvre, who lost all his nine matches for Netherlands in 1996 and 2003, while Gavin Hamilton (Scotland) and Alexei Kervezee (Netherlands) both played eight matches without winning one. The overall list is headed by three unfortunate Bangladeshi players: Al Sahariar played 29 one-day internationals without winning any, Sanwar Hossain 27, and Hannan Sarkar 20. Then comes the Bermudian Malachi Jones with 12.
I was surprised to hear that Mahmudullah's century against England was Bangladesh's first in the World Cup. Was that right? Are there any other countries without one? asked Michael Smart from Australia
Yes, Mahmudullah's 103 against England in Adelaide was Bangladesh's first century in their 30 World Cup matches. Their previous-highest was Tamim Iqbal's 95 against Scotland, four days previously in Nelson, while their best going into this year's tournament was Mohammad Ashraful's 87 against South Africa in Providence in 2007. Kenya have also played 29 World Cup games without an individual century: Collins Obuya was stranded on 98 against Australia in Bangalore in 2011. There have also been no hundreds so far for Namibia (six matches), Afghanistan (five, before their final one of 2015), Bermuda and East Africa (three apiece). Leading the way at today's date are Australia, with 25 World Cup centuries, India 22, Sri Lanka 21 and West Indies 17.
Yes, Mahmudullah's 103 against England in Adelaide was Bangladesh's first century in their 30 World Cup matches. Their previous-highest was Tamim Iqbal's 95 against Scotland, four days previously in Nelson, while their best going into this year's tournament was Mohammad Ashraful's 87 against South Africa in Providence in 2007. Kenya have also played 29 World Cup games without an individual century: Collins Obuya was stranded on 98 against Australia in Bangalore in 2011. There have also been no hundreds so far for Namibia (six matches), Afghanistan (five, before their final one of 2015), Bermuda and East Africa (three apiece). Leading the way at today's date are Australia, with 25 World Cup centuries, India 22, Sri Lanka 21 and West Indies 17.
In their World Cup match against Scotland, Afghanistan reached their target of 211 in the final over. Is this the lowest target to be successfully chased in the 50th over of a match? asked Kaushik from the United States
Actually Afghanistan's well-paced performance in that match against Scotland in Dunedin wasn't that unusual: there have been around 40 one-day internationals in which the side batting second won in the last over when chasing less than 211. The lowest of all was a remarkable match in Mirpur in January 2009. After Bangladesh were bowled out for 124 in 48.1 overs, Zimbabwe crawled to their target, reaching 127 for 8 when Ray Price conjured two fours from the first two balls of the final over. In the 1979 World Cup at Headingley, New Zealand overhauled India's modest total of 182 in the 57th of the 60 possible overs, despite losing only two wickets.
Actually Afghanistan's well-paced performance in that match against Scotland in Dunedin wasn't that unusual: there have been around 40 one-day internationals in which the side batting second won in the last over when chasing less than 211. The lowest of all was a remarkable match in Mirpur in January 2009. After Bangladesh were bowled out for 124 in 48.1 overs, Zimbabwe crawled to their target, reaching 127 for 8 when Ray Price conjured two fours from the first two balls of the final over. In the 1979 World Cup at Headingley, New Zealand overhauled India's modest total of 182 in the 57th of the 60 possible overs, despite losing only two wickets.
Do Ireland hold the record for most 300-plus totals by an Associate nation? asked Mohsin Zunzunia from India
There have been 20 totals of 300 or more in one-day internationals by non-Test countries, and you're right in suspecting that Ireland lead the way - they have made eight of them, including three successful World Cup run-chases. Netherlands come next with four, Kenya and Scotland have three each, while Afghanistan and Canada have managed one apiece. The highest ODI total by an Associate team is Kenya's 347 for 3 against Bangladesh (not a Test nation at the time) in Nairobi in October 1997. Ireland's 331 for 8 against Zimbabwe in Hobart earlier this month is the highest in a World Cup.
There have been 20 totals of 300 or more in one-day internationals by non-Test countries, and you're right in suspecting that Ireland lead the way - they have made eight of them, including three successful World Cup run-chases. Netherlands come next with four, Kenya and Scotland have three each, while Afghanistan and Canada have managed one apiece. The highest ODI total by an Associate team is Kenya's 347 for 3 against Bangladesh (not a Test nation at the time) in Nairobi in October 1997. Ireland's 331 for 8 against Zimbabwe in Hobart earlier this month is the highest in a World Cup.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2014. Ask Steven is now on Facebook