Big scores without byes, and big scores on debut
Out for 99 on ODI debut, the oldest centurions on ODI debut, and a player called Sunny Jim, and players of Chinese descent to have played international cricket
Steven Lynch
15-Sep-2009
Queensland's Chris Hartley set a record when he didn't concede a bye in a total of 806 • Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
The new Middlesex wicketkeeper, John Simpson, did not concede any byes in Kent's huge total of 652 at Uxbridge last week. Is this a record? asked John Fosbraey
There have been 14 higher totals in first-class cricket without any byes, including four in Tests - Sri Lanka's 713 for 3 declared against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2003-04 (the wicketkeeper was Tatenda Taibu), New Zealand's 671 for 4 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1990-91 (Hashan Tillakaratne), West Indies' 660 for 5 declared against New Zealand in Wellington in 1994-95 (Adam Parore), and Australia's 659 for 8 declared in Sydney in 1946-47 (Godfrey Evans). The record for the highest total in all first-class cricket without a bye was broken earlier this year, when Queensland's Chris Hartley kept a clean sheet in Victoria's massive 806 for 8 declared in Melbourne in March. Middlesex's John Simpson was playing in only his second first-class match, and no one playing in their first or second game has conceded no byes in a higher total than Kent's 652 for 7 in Uxbridge, although when the Tamil Nadu keeper Reuben Paul kept a clean sheet through Karnataka's 716 in Bhadravati in 1995-96, he was playing in only his third such match.
There have been 14 higher totals in first-class cricket without any byes, including four in Tests - Sri Lanka's 713 for 3 declared against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo in 2003-04 (the wicketkeeper was Tatenda Taibu), New Zealand's 671 for 4 against Sri Lanka in Wellington in 1990-91 (Hashan Tillakaratne), West Indies' 660 for 5 declared against New Zealand in Wellington in 1994-95 (Adam Parore), and Australia's 659 for 8 declared in Sydney in 1946-47 (Godfrey Evans). The record for the highest total in all first-class cricket without a bye was broken earlier this year, when Queensland's Chris Hartley kept a clean sheet in Victoria's massive 806 for 8 declared in Melbourne in March. Middlesex's John Simpson was playing in only his second first-class match, and no one playing in their first or second game has conceded no byes in a higher total than Kent's 652 for 7 in Uxbridge, although when the Tamil Nadu keeper Reuben Paul kept a clean sheet through Karnataka's 716 in Bhadravati in 1995-96, he was playing in only his third such match.
I noticed that Eoin Morgan made 99 on his ODI debut. Has anyone else suffered this misfortune? asked James from South Africa
No, Eoin Morgan is the only batsman unlucky enough to be out (run out, too!) for 99 in his first one-day international - for Ireland against Scotland in Ayr in 2006. He didn't do quite so well on his ODI debut for England, managing 2 not out against West Indies in Bristol in May 2009. Two other players have been out in the nineties in their first one-day international: Phil Jaques made 94 for Australia against South Africa in Melbourne in 2005-06, and Stephen Fleming scored 90 for New Zealand against India in Napier in 1993-94. For a full list of the highest scores on ODI debut, click here.
No, Eoin Morgan is the only batsman unlucky enough to be out (run out, too!) for 99 in his first one-day international - for Ireland against Scotland in Ayr in 2006. He didn't do quite so well on his ODI debut for England, managing 2 not out against West Indies in Bristol in May 2009. Two other players have been out in the nineties in their first one-day international: Phil Jaques made 94 for Australia against South Africa in Melbourne in 2005-06, and Stephen Fleming scored 90 for New Zealand against India in Napier in 1993-94. For a full list of the highest scores on ODI debut, click here.
Which cricketer was nicknamed "Sunny Jim"? asked Derek Lucas from London
I suppose this could apply to almost anyone called James, but I suspect the most famous one was a New South Wales batsman called James Mackay. In 1905-06 "Sunny Jim" Mackay made 194 against Victoria, then 105 and 102 not out against South Australia in his next two innings. He had been overlooked for the 1905 Ashes tour of England, and Wisden reported at the time: "The sensation of the season was the wonderful batting of J. R. M. MacKay... who scored in six innings, once not out, 559 runs. In face of such form it would seem that a great mistake was committed in not bringing him to England in 1905... It was the general opinion that, for brilliancy, his batting has never been surpassed in Australia except by Victor Trumper." Soon afterwards Mackay went to work in South Africa - and narrowly missed selection for their tour of England in 1907, after doubts about his eligibility. While in South Africa he suffered a work accident, which affected his eyesight and brought a premature end to a first-class career in which he averaged over 50 with the bat.
I suppose this could apply to almost anyone called James, but I suspect the most famous one was a New South Wales batsman called James Mackay. In 1905-06 "Sunny Jim" Mackay made 194 against Victoria, then 105 and 102 not out against South Australia in his next two innings. He had been overlooked for the 1905 Ashes tour of England, and Wisden reported at the time: "The sensation of the season was the wonderful batting of J. R. M. MacKay... who scored in six innings, once not out, 559 runs. In face of such form it would seem that a great mistake was committed in not bringing him to England in 1905... It was the general opinion that, for brilliancy, his batting has never been surpassed in Australia except by Victor Trumper." Soon afterwards Mackay went to work in South Africa - and narrowly missed selection for their tour of England in 1907, after doubts about his eligibility. While in South Africa he suffered a work accident, which affected his eyesight and brought a premature end to a first-class career in which he averaged over 50 with the bat.
Who has got the upper hand in Pakistan-India matches in Sharjah? asked Ahmer from the United States
India and Pakistan met each other 24 times in official one-day internationals in Sharjah between 1983-84 and 1999-2000: Pakistan won 18, and India won six. After India won the first two, Pakistan won 14 of the next 15.
India and Pakistan met each other 24 times in official one-day internationals in Sharjah between 1983-84 and 1999-2000: Pakistan won 18, and India won six. After India won the first two, Pakistan won 14 of the next 15.
I read that Thilan Samaraweera became the oldest player to hit a maiden ODI century for Sri Lanka last week. Who is the oldest player to hit a maiden century for India, and also overall? asked Skanda from India
Thilan Samaraweera was 32 years 351 days old when he made 104 - his first century in one-day internationals - against New Zealand in Colombo last week. He was indeed the oldest Sri Lankan to make a maiden ODI century, but 20 players from other countries were older. The grandaddy of them all is England's Geoff Boycott, who was 39 years 51 days old when he made his one and only one-day international century - 105 against Australia in Sydney in 1979-80. In third place is the oldest Indian - Sunil Gavaskar, who was 113 days past his 38th birthday when he scored 103 not out against New Zealand in Nagpur during the 1987-88 World Cup, in the 107th of his 108 ODIs. For a full list of the oldest players to make a maiden ODI century, click here.
Thilan Samaraweera was 32 years 351 days old when he made 104 - his first century in one-day internationals - against New Zealand in Colombo last week. He was indeed the oldest Sri Lankan to make a maiden ODI century, but 20 players from other countries were older. The grandaddy of them all is England's Geoff Boycott, who was 39 years 51 days old when he made his one and only one-day international century - 105 against Australia in Sydney in 1979-80. In third place is the oldest Indian - Sunil Gavaskar, who was 113 days past his 38th birthday when he scored 103 not out against New Zealand in Nagpur during the 1987-88 World Cup, in the 107th of his 108 ODIs. For a full list of the oldest players to make a maiden ODI century, click here.
How many players of Chinese ancestry have played in a Test match or a one-day international? asked James from Australia
The only player of direct Chinese descent to have played in a Test is the West Indian slow left-armer Ellis "Puss" Achong, who won six caps in the 1930s and is credited with being the inspiration for the word "chinaman", as applied to the left-arm wrist-spinner's googly or wrong'un. As far as ODIs are concerned it's difficult to be certain, but five of the players who have represented Hong Kong in their four official ODIs were born there.
The only player of direct Chinese descent to have played in a Test is the West Indian slow left-armer Ellis "Puss" Achong, who won six caps in the 1930s and is credited with being the inspiration for the word "chinaman", as applied to the left-arm wrist-spinner's googly or wrong'un. As far as ODIs are concerned it's difficult to be certain, but five of the players who have represented Hong Kong in their four official ODIs were born there.
Steven Lynch is the editor of the Cricinfo Guide to International Cricket (reviewed here). If you want to ask Steven a question, use our feedback form. The most interesting questions will be answered here each week