Clarke emulates the Don

Stats highlights from another day that belonged completely to Australia

05-Jan-2012

The two Michaels, Clarke and Hussey, and their 334-run partnership, dominated yet another outstanding day for Australia at the SCG. Here are the main stats from the day.

Michael Clarke's 329 not out is the 25th triple-century in Test history, of which ten have been scored since 2000. It's the seventh by an Australian, and also the seventh by a Test captain, four of which have come since 2004. Clarke's hundred came at No.5, which makes it the second by a batsman not in the top four. The only other such instance was by Don Bradman, who scored 304 at Headingley in 1934 from No.5.

India conceded a first-innings lead of 468, which is their fourth-highest in Tests. Three of those have come when they've batted first and got bowled out cheaply, and all have been in the last 13 months - at Edgbaston last year they conceded a lead of 486 after getting bowled out for 224, while in Centurion in December 2010 they conceded a lead of 484 after scoring 136. On all of those instances, the lead could have been even higher had the opposition not declared their innings.

The 334-run stand between Clarke and Michael Hussey is Australia's third-highest for the fifth wicket in Tests, and their highest against India. It's also the highest by any team against India for that wicket, surpassing the 293-run stand between Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Carl Hooper in Georgetown in 2002.

There were two 250-plus partnerships in the Australian innings, the first time this has ever happened in Test cricket. There have been 20 instances of two 200-plus stands, of which Australia have contributed five, but this was the first time they'd managed two consecutive 200-plus partnerships. India have been at the receiving end five times. The previous such instance in Test cricket also involved India, in Centurion in 2010, when there were double-century stands by South Africa for the third and fourth wickets.

Michael Hussey notched up his 16th Test hundred, but this was only his third score of 150 or more. This was also his highest against India.

Clarke's knock means the SCG has become the 19th venue to witness a Test triple-century. Antigua and Headingley are the only grounds where three triples have been scored.

Rahul Dravid has been bowled 52 times in Test cricket, which is only one short of Allan Border's record. In his last nine Test innings, Dravid has been bowled six times.

Rahul Dravid Michael Hussey Michael Clarke Australia India Australia vs India India tour of Australia

S Rajesh is stats editor of ESPNcricinfo. Follow him on Twitter