Sehwag's record, and Sangakkara's shortage
Plus: the same score by both teams in a Test, Ponting's tormentors, and the most prolific Ashes bowlers
Steven Lynch
12-Oct-2010
Sehwag has made fifties in 11 Tests on the trot, the joint record with Viv Richards • Getty Images
I heard that Virender Sehwag has equalled the record for most successive half-centuries in Tests. Whose record does he need to break in Bangalore? asked Nitin Chowdhury from Delhi
The record Virender Sehwag equalled was actually the one for fifties in most successive Test matches - that includes some innings in which he didn't reach his half-century. But the first Test against Australia in Mohali was the 11th successive match in which Sehwag scored at least 50 in one or other innings, which equals the record set by Viv Richards in 1977 and equalled by Gautam Gambhir earlier this year. For the list and full details, click here. The overall record for most successive half-centuries in Tests is seven, shared by the West Indians Everton Weekes (1948-49) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2006-07), and Andy Flower of Zimbabwe (2000-01). For that list, click here.
The record Virender Sehwag equalled was actually the one for fifties in most successive Test matches - that includes some innings in which he didn't reach his half-century. But the first Test against Australia in Mohali was the 11th successive match in which Sehwag scored at least 50 in one or other innings, which equals the record set by Viv Richards in 1977 and equalled by Gautam Gambhir earlier this year. For the list and full details, click here. The overall record for most successive half-centuries in Tests is seven, shared by the West Indians Everton Weekes (1948-49) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (2006-07), and Andy Flower of Zimbabwe (2000-01). For that list, click here.
Kumar Sangakkara has a Test average 9.16 runs higher then his first-class average. With a suitable qualification, is this a record? asked Dan from New Zealand
Your calculations about Kumar Sangakkara are right: the discrepancy is all the more surprising given that over half of his first-class matches have been Tests, which are included in the first-class figures. In first-class matches other than Tests, he actually averages 36.84. But the "record" in this regard goes to the doughty Englishman Ken Barrington, who averaged 58.67 in Tests, 13.04 more than the 45.63 he recorded in first-class cricket overall. Tony Greig of England is another player with a difference higher than Sangakkara's: 40.43 in Tests, 31.19 in all first-class matches.
Your calculations about Kumar Sangakkara are right: the discrepancy is all the more surprising given that over half of his first-class matches have been Tests, which are included in the first-class figures. In first-class matches other than Tests, he actually averages 36.84. But the "record" in this regard goes to the doughty Englishman Ken Barrington, who averaged 58.67 in Tests, 13.04 more than the 45.63 he recorded in first-class cricket overall. Tony Greig of England is another player with a difference higher than Sangakkara's: 40.43 in Tests, 31.19 in all first-class matches.
When Brian Lara scored his 375, both West Indies and England finished with the same first-innings total (593). How many times has this happened in Tests? asked Imran Memon via Facebook
There have been seven instances of both teams making the same total in the first innings of a Test, and that one - in St John's in 1993-94 - is easily the highest score involved. The others were: South Africa v England in Durban in 1909-10 (both sides scored 199), India v West Indies in Kanpur in 1958-59 (222), New Zealand v Pakistan in Auckland 1972-73 (402), West Indies v Australia in Kingston in 1972-73 (428), England v India at Edgbaston in 1986 (390), and West Indies v Australia in St John's in 2002-03 (240).
There have been seven instances of both teams making the same total in the first innings of a Test, and that one - in St John's in 1993-94 - is easily the highest score involved. The others were: South Africa v England in Durban in 1909-10 (both sides scored 199), India v West Indies in Kanpur in 1958-59 (222), New Zealand v Pakistan in Auckland 1972-73 (402), West Indies v Australia in Kingston in 1972-73 (428), England v India at Edgbaston in 1986 (390), and West Indies v Australia in St John's in 2002-03 (240).
With the Ashes approaching, who has taken the most wickets in Tests between England and Australia? asked Danny McLeod from Glasgow
Three great Aussies are out on top on this list. Glenn McGrath took 157 wickets in Ashes Tests, while Dennis Lillee claimed 167. But well in front of them is Shane Warne, who took no fewer than 195 wickets in 36 matches against England. In fourth place is the leading Englishman, Ian Botham, with 148. In all, 19 bowlers have taken 100 wickets in Tests between England and Australia: for the list, click here.
Three great Aussies are out on top on this list. Glenn McGrath took 157 wickets in Ashes Tests, while Dennis Lillee claimed 167. But well in front of them is Shane Warne, who took no fewer than 195 wickets in 36 matches against England. In fourth place is the leading Englishman, Ian Botham, with 148. In all, 19 bowlers have taken 100 wickets in Tests between England and Australia: for the list, click here.
Australia's side in Mohali included seven bowlers who had taken five wickets in an innings in Tests. Was this a record? asked Faraz Zaidi via Facebook
The seven concerned were Doug Bollinger, Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North and Shane Watson: so far Ben Hilfenhaus has not taken more than four wickets in a Test innings, but if he manages a five-for while all the others are playing, that would indeed set a new record for a Test match. Australia have fielded three previous teams that included seven bowlers with a Test five-for to their name: against England in Adelaide in 1974-75 (the seven were Greg Chappell, Terry Jenner, Dennis Lillee, Ashley Mallett, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker and Doug Walters) and at Headingley later in 1975 (when Gary Gilmour replaced Jenner), and also at Old Trafford in 1997 (Michael Bevan, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh).
The seven concerned were Doug Bollinger, Michael Clarke, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Simon Katich, Marcus North and Shane Watson: so far Ben Hilfenhaus has not taken more than four wickets in a Test innings, but if he manages a five-for while all the others are playing, that would indeed set a new record for a Test match. Australia have fielded three previous teams that included seven bowlers with a Test five-for to their name: against England in Adelaide in 1974-75 (the seven were Greg Chappell, Terry Jenner, Dennis Lillee, Ashley Mallett, Jeff Thomson, Max Walker and Doug Walters) and at Headingley later in 1975 (when Gary Gilmour replaced Jenner), and also at Old Trafford in 1997 (Michael Bevan, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath, Paul Reiffel, Shane Warne, Mark Waugh and Steve Waugh).
How many times has Ricky Ponting got out to Ishant Sharma in Tests - and who has got Ponting out most often? asked Ramnarayanan from India
By the end of the Mohali Test, Ishant Sharma had dismissed Ricky Ponting on six occasions, from only eight matches in which they had played against each other. Ponting has an average of 15.50 in those innings. Only three bowlers have got Ponting out more often than that, and two of them are Indians: Anil Kumble dismissed him seven times (in 17 Tests), Darren Gough eight times (in nine), while Harbhajan Singh has so far claimed his wicket on 10 occasions in the 13 Tests in which they have opposed each other.
By the end of the Mohali Test, Ishant Sharma had dismissed Ricky Ponting on six occasions, from only eight matches in which they had played against each other. Ponting has an average of 15.50 in those innings. Only three bowlers have got Ponting out more often than that, and two of them are Indians: Anil Kumble dismissed him seven times (in 17 Tests), Darren Gough eight times (in nine), while Harbhajan Singh has so far claimed his wicket on 10 occasions in the 13 Tests in which they have opposed each other.
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. Ask Steven is now on Facebook