Unbeaten World Cup finalists, and O'Brien's dubious record
Plus, highest successful chases at the MCG, and captains with over a hundred ODI wins
Steven Lynch
24-Mar-2015
Kevin O'Brien is the only bowler to concede 90 or more runs in a World Cup match twice • AFP
If India and New Zealand both win their semis, has the World Cup final ever featured two unbeaten teams before? asked James McConnachie from Australia
That's a fairly big "if", I suppose - but if India and New Zealand do win it will be only the third time that two unbeaten teams have met in the World Cup final. In 1979, West Indies and England did not lose on the way to the final at Lord's. Only three group games were played back then, before a semi. And in 1996 Sri Lanka didn't lose* a match on the way to the final in Lahore. Back in 1979, West Indies' group game against Sri Lanka was washed out, and both teams collected a point - so a match-up between India and New Zealand this time would be the first time that two teams with 100% winning records have met in the final.
That's a fairly big "if", I suppose - but if India and New Zealand do win it will be only the third time that two unbeaten teams have met in the World Cup final. In 1979, West Indies and England did not lose on the way to the final at Lord's. Only three group games were played back then, before a semi. And in 1996 Sri Lanka didn't lose* a match on the way to the final in Lahore. Back in 1979, West Indies' group game against Sri Lanka was washed out, and both teams collected a point - so a match-up between India and New Zealand this time would be the first time that two teams with 100% winning records have met in the final.
I know Martin Guptill's double-century was the highest ODI score for New Zealand. But was it their highest score in any one-day game? asked Cameron Staley from New Zealand
Martin Guptill's astonishing 237 not out in New Zealand's World Cup quarter-final against West Indies in Wellington was easily their highest score in one-day internationals, beating his own unbeaten 189 against England in Southampton in June 2013. And it was indeed the highest score by a New Zealander in any List A match: the previous-best was 222 by Jamie How (who recently announced his retirement) for Central Districts against Northern Districts in Hamilton in March 2013.
Martin Guptill's astonishing 237 not out in New Zealand's World Cup quarter-final against West Indies in Wellington was easily their highest score in one-day internationals, beating his own unbeaten 189 against England in Southampton in June 2013. And it was indeed the highest score by a New Zealander in any List A match: the previous-best was 222 by Jamie How (who recently announced his retirement) for Central Districts against Northern Districts in Hamilton in March 2013.
Kevin O'Brien conceded 90 runs twice in five days during this World Cup. Has anyone else conceded 90-plus twice? asked Edward Mortimore from Ireland
The Irish medium-pacer Kevin O'Brien went for 95 in his seven overs against South Africa in Canberra on March 3, and four days later took 2 for 90 in ten overs against Zimbabwe in Hobart. He's the only man to concede 90 or more runs in a World Cup match twice, let alone in such a short time-span. There have been eight other instances of a bowler conceding more than 90 in a World Cup innings, including three centuries - two of them at this World Cup, by Dawlat Zadran (2 for 101 for Afghanistan against Australia in Perth) and Jason Holder (1 for 104 for West Indies against South Africa in Sydney). Holder was one short of claiming the overall World Cup record, Martin Snedden's 2 for 105 for New Zealand against England at The Oval in 1983, but that was from 12 overs. For the full list, click here.
The Irish medium-pacer Kevin O'Brien went for 95 in his seven overs against South Africa in Canberra on March 3, and four days later took 2 for 90 in ten overs against Zimbabwe in Hobart. He's the only man to concede 90 or more runs in a World Cup match twice, let alone in such a short time-span. There have been eight other instances of a bowler conceding more than 90 in a World Cup innings, including three centuries - two of them at this World Cup, by Dawlat Zadran (2 for 101 for Afghanistan against Australia in Perth) and Jason Holder (1 for 104 for West Indies against South Africa in Sydney). Holder was one short of claiming the overall World Cup record, Martin Snedden's 2 for 105 for New Zealand against England at The Oval in 1983, but that was from 12 overs. For the full list, click here.
Was Sarfraz Ahmed's hundred the first by a Pakistan wicketkeeper in the World Cup? asked Fawad Mohammad from Pakistan
Sarfraz Ahmed's unbeaten 101 against Ireland in Adelaide was indeed the first World Cup century by a Pakistan wicketkeeper - the previous-best was a modest 63 by Moin Khan against South Africa at Trent Bridge in 1999. In all there have now (before the 2015 semi-finals) been 15 World Cup centuries by wicketkeepers, five of them by Kumar Sangakkara, including four in this tournament. AB de Villiers and Brendan Taylor have also scored two. For the full list, click here.
Sarfraz Ahmed's unbeaten 101 against Ireland in Adelaide was indeed the first World Cup century by a Pakistan wicketkeeper - the previous-best was a modest 63 by Moin Khan against South Africa at Trent Bridge in 1999. In all there have now (before the 2015 semi-finals) been 15 World Cup centuries by wicketkeepers, five of them by Kumar Sangakkara, including four in this tournament. AB de Villiers and Brendan Taylor have also scored two. For the full list, click here.
Just getting ready for the World Cup final: what's the highest successful chase at the MCG? asked Ray Harker from Australia
In the first match of their 2010-11 one-day series, England scored 294 in Melbourne - but Australia overhauled it with five balls remaining, mainly thanks to Shane Watson's unbeaten 161. On only eight other occasions in an ODI has a total of 250 or more in the first innings not been enough for victory at the MCG. Just in case it's an omen for the final, second on the list is New Zealand's 290 for 7 at Melbourne in February 2007 - Australia knocked that off with ten balls to spare.
In the first match of their 2010-11 one-day series, England scored 294 in Melbourne - but Australia overhauled it with five balls remaining, mainly thanks to Shane Watson's unbeaten 161. On only eight other occasions in an ODI has a total of 250 or more in the first innings not been enough for victory at the MCG. Just in case it's an omen for the final, second on the list is New Zealand's 290 for 7 at Melbourne in February 2007 - Australia knocked that off with ten balls to spare.
The quarter-final victory over Bangladesh was MS Dhoni's 100th as captain. Has anyone won more than this? asked Aneesh Ahluwalia from India
MS Dhoni was only the third man to captain his side to victory in a century of one-day internationals. There are only two captains ahead of him, both Australians: Allan Border captained in 107 successful ODIs, but Ricky Ponting is way ahead, leading the winning side on no fewer than 165 occasions between 2002 and 2012. During this World Cup Dhoni has moved ahead of Stephen Fleming, who captained New Zealand to 98 ODI wins, and Hansie Cronje (99 for South Africa).
MS Dhoni was only the third man to captain his side to victory in a century of one-day internationals. There are only two captains ahead of him, both Australians: Allan Border captained in 107 successful ODIs, but Ricky Ponting is way ahead, leading the winning side on no fewer than 165 occasions between 2002 and 2012. During this World Cup Dhoni has moved ahead of Stephen Fleming, who captained New Zealand to 98 ODI wins, and Hansie Cronje (99 for South Africa).
*March 24, 11:37 GMT: It was incorrectly mentioned that Australia went to the 1996 final unbeaten. The reference has been removed
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Wisden Guide to International Cricket 2014. Ask Steven is now on Facebook