The best of the Cake Tin mauling
Records from the World Cup so far, and players who have represented two countries in the competition
Steven Lynch
24-Feb-2015
Tim Southee did what no other bowler has done for New Zealand - take seven in an ODI innings • Getty Images
New Zealand beat England with 37.4 overs to spare in Wellington. Is that the worst defeat for a Test nation? asked Paul Henderson from Australia
Rather surprisingly perhaps, that defeat with 226 deliveries unused only equalled England's worst thrashing by this yardstick in one-day internationals - in the first final of the Australian tri-series in January 2003 in Sydney, Australia bowled England out for 118 and then knocked off the runs in 12.2 overs, with Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden doing the damage. James Anderson probably won't want to be reminded that he played in that one too. There have been 16 instances of the side batting second passing their target with more balls remaining, two of them dating from the days of 60-over innings. One of those provided the biggest margin of all: during the 1979 World Cup at Old Trafford England shot Canada out for 45, and completed the victory in 13.5 overs, with 46.1 - or 277 balls - to spare. In second place, and the biggest margin for a 50-over match, is Sri Lanka's demolition of Zimbabwe in Colombo in December 2001: they polished off a puny target of 39 in just 4.2 of their allotted 50 overs, so had 276 deliveries to spare. That match lasted only 20 overs in all (120 balls), and remains the shortest completed one-day international. The World Cup record for balls remaining is also held by Sri Lanka, who had 272 in hand in beating Canada in Paarl in 2003. For the full list, click here.
Rather surprisingly perhaps, that defeat with 226 deliveries unused only equalled England's worst thrashing by this yardstick in one-day internationals - in the first final of the Australian tri-series in January 2003 in Sydney, Australia bowled England out for 118 and then knocked off the runs in 12.2 overs, with Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden doing the damage. James Anderson probably won't want to be reminded that he played in that one too. There have been 16 instances of the side batting second passing their target with more balls remaining, two of them dating from the days of 60-over innings. One of those provided the biggest margin of all: during the 1979 World Cup at Old Trafford England shot Canada out for 45, and completed the victory in 13.5 overs, with 46.1 - or 277 balls - to spare. In second place, and the biggest margin for a 50-over match, is Sri Lanka's demolition of Zimbabwe in Colombo in December 2001: they polished off a puny target of 39 in just 4.2 of their allotted 50 overs, so had 276 deliveries to spare. That match lasted only 20 overs in all (120 balls), and remains the shortest completed one-day international. The World Cup record for balls remaining is also held by Sri Lanka, who had 272 in hand in beating Canada in Paarl in 2003. For the full list, click here.
Still recovering from Tim Southee's bowling spell at the Cake Tin. Were they New Zealand's best figures in ODIs? And the best in the World Cup? asked Tim Broughton from New Zealand
Tim Southee's 7 for 33 against England in Wellington was the best analysis for New Zealand in all one-day internationals, beating Shane Bond's 6 for 19 against India in Bulawayo in August 2005. Bond also had their previous-best World Cup figures, 6 for 23 against Australia in Port Elizabeth in March 2003. Southee was only the fourth bowler to take seven wickets in a World Cup innings, following Winston Davis (7 for 51 for West Indies against Australia at Headingley in 1983), Glenn McGrath (7 for 15 for Australia v Namibia in Potchefstroom in 2003) and Andy Bichel (7 for 20 for Australia v England in Port Elizabeth in 2003). For the full list, click here.
Tim Southee's 7 for 33 against England in Wellington was the best analysis for New Zealand in all one-day internationals, beating Shane Bond's 6 for 19 against India in Bulawayo in August 2005. Bond also had their previous-best World Cup figures, 6 for 23 against Australia in Port Elizabeth in March 2003. Southee was only the fourth bowler to take seven wickets in a World Cup innings, following Winston Davis (7 for 51 for West Indies against Australia at Headingley in 1983), Glenn McGrath (7 for 15 for Australia v Namibia in Potchefstroom in 2003) and Andy Bichel (7 for 20 for Australia v England in Port Elizabeth in 2003). For the full list, click here.
Whose record did Brendon McCullum break for the fastest World Cup fifty? And who's the fastest in all ODIs? asked Matthew Bennett
Brendon McCullum zoomed to his half-century against England in Wellington in just 18 balls, two faster than the existing World Cup record, set by ... Brendon McCullum, against Canada in St Lucia in 2007. There have been only two quicker half-centuries in all ODIs: Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya got there in 17 balls against Pakistan in Singapore in 1995-96, while AB de Villiers - on his way to what became the fastest one-day hundred - scorched to 50 from just 16 deliveries for South Africa against West Indies in Johannesburg in January. There have been five other 18-ball half-centuries in ODIs, three of them by Shahid Afridi. For the full list, click here.
Brendon McCullum zoomed to his half-century against England in Wellington in just 18 balls, two faster than the existing World Cup record, set by ... Brendon McCullum, against Canada in St Lucia in 2007. There have been only two quicker half-centuries in all ODIs: Sri Lanka's Sanath Jayasuriya got there in 17 balls against Pakistan in Singapore in 1995-96, while AB de Villiers - on his way to what became the fastest one-day hundred - scorched to 50 from just 16 deliveries for South Africa against West Indies in Johannesburg in January. There have been five other 18-ball half-centuries in ODIs, three of them by Shahid Afridi. For the full list, click here.
Pakistan were reduced to 1 for 4 against West Indies. Has there been a worse start in international cricket? asked Henry Clarke from England
During their World Cup match against West Indies in Christchurch, Pakistan became the first side to lose their fourth wicket for one run in any one-day international. The previous-worst start was 4 for 4, by Canada against Zimbabwe in Port-of-Spain in March 2006. There have been three instances of 4 for 5, including a famous one in the 2003 World Cup, when Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to that by the end of the first over of the match in Pietermaritzburg. Vaas started with a hat-trick, but there was a four and a wide before another wicket went down to the fifth legitimate ball. The only worse start in all international cricket was made by India in a Test against England at Headingley in 1952, when they slumped to 0 for 4, three of the wickets going to the young Fred Trueman.
During their World Cup match against West Indies in Christchurch, Pakistan became the first side to lose their fourth wicket for one run in any one-day international. The previous-worst start was 4 for 4, by Canada against Zimbabwe in Port-of-Spain in March 2006. There have been three instances of 4 for 5, including a famous one in the 2003 World Cup, when Chaminda Vaas of Sri Lanka reduced Bangladesh to that by the end of the first over of the match in Pietermaritzburg. Vaas started with a hat-trick, but there was a four and a wide before another wicket went down to the fifth legitimate ball. The only worse start in all international cricket was made by India in a Test against England at Headingley in 1952, when they slumped to 0 for 4, three of the wickets going to the young Fred Trueman.
Who's the tallest player to appear in the World Cup? asked Brijesh Kumar from India
This record changed hands during the current tournament, when Mohammad Irfan took the field for Pakistan against India in Adelaide. Most reports give Irfan's height as 7ft 1in (216cm), and although that has seemingly never been officially confirmed it's safe to assume that he's taller than the previous record-holders, who all measured in at 6ft 8in (203cm). They were Joel Garner, who took five wickets as West Indies won the 1979 final, Australia's Bruce Reid, who was on the winning team in 1987, and (according to some reports) Boyd Rankin - who played for Ireland in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments before transferring his allegiance to England.
This record changed hands during the current tournament, when Mohammad Irfan took the field for Pakistan against India in Adelaide. Most reports give Irfan's height as 7ft 1in (216cm), and although that has seemingly never been officially confirmed it's safe to assume that he's taller than the previous record-holders, who all measured in at 6ft 8in (203cm). They were Joel Garner, who took five wickets as West Indies won the 1979 final, Australia's Bruce Reid, who was on the winning team in 1987, and (according to some reports) Boyd Rankin - who played for Ireland in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments before transferring his allegiance to England.
Is Eoin Morgan the only man to play for two different countries at the World Cup? asked Ruvith de Kretser from Australia
Eoin Morgan played for Ireland in 2007, but England in 2011 and (as captain) in 2015. Someone who has done something very similar, but in reverse, is Ed Joyce: born in Dublin, like Morgan, he was in England colours in 2007, but played for Ireland in 2011 and 2015. Two other players have represented two different countries in the World Cup. Kepler Wessels played for Australia in 1983, and captained South Africa in 1992, while the Barbadian fast bowler Anderson Cummins played for West Indies in 1992, and reappeared for Canada in the West Indies in 2007, by which time he was 40.
Eoin Morgan played for Ireland in 2007, but England in 2011 and (as captain) in 2015. Someone who has done something very similar, but in reverse, is Ed Joyce: born in Dublin, like Morgan, he was in England colours in 2007, but played for Ireland in 2011 and 2015. Two other players have represented two different countries in the World Cup. Kepler Wessels played for Australia in 1983, and captained South Africa in 1992, while the Barbadian fast bowler Anderson Cummins played for West Indies in 1992, and reappeared for Canada in the West Indies in 2007, by which time he was 40.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2014. Ask Steven is now on Facebook