The fastest 300s, and X-Men

Has anyone ever scored a Test triple-century faster than Virender Sehwag's? asked Forrest Hamilton, and many others

Virender Sehwag reached 300 against South Africa in Chennai last week off just 278 balls, which is indeed a new Test record, easily beating the 362 balls Matthew Hayden took (on his way to 380) against Zimbabwe in Perth in 2003-04. In third place is Sehwag again: his triple-century against Pakistan in Multan, also in 2003-04, took just two balls longer than Hayden's. This latest triple ton by Sehwag was not the fastest in terms of time, though: it took him 481 minutes to get to 300, but England's Wally Hammond reached 300 in only 288 minutes against New Zealand in Auckland in 1932-33. We don't have an accurate account of how many balls Hammond faced, but it's thought that it took him around 355 to reach his triple-century. Hammond's innings was examined in more detail in a recent article on Cricinfo.

Paul Harris conceded over 200 runs in the first innings in Chennai. How often has this happened? Is it the worst set of figures for a South African? asked Tim from South Africa

Paul Harris took 3 for 203 in India's first innings in Chennai last week. He is only the second South African bowler to concede more than 200 in a Test innings; and the other one was a slow left-armer too: Nicky Boje, who had figures of 0 for 221 against Sri Lanka in Colombo in 2006 (that was the match in which Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene shared the world-record partnership of 624). The overall record is held by another slow left-armer: Australia's "Chuck" Fleetwood-Smith, who took 1 for 298 against England at The Oval in 1938. In all, there have been 23 instances of a bowler conceding 200 or more runs in a Test innings (eight of them by left-arm spinners). For a full list, click here.

What is the highest score in a one-day international by someone who never played Test cricket? My bet is on Dinesh Mongia, who once made more than 150 ... asked Nandan Lokare from Bangalore

You're very close: Dinesh Mongia, who never did play in a Test for India, made 159 not out against Zimbabwe in Guwahati in 2001-02. But one man beats him: Dave Callaghan smashed 169 not out for South Africa against New Zealand in Centurion in 1994-95, and he never won a Test cap either. For a full list of the highest scores in ODIs, click here

Tim Southee hit nine sixes in his 77 not out against England. Is that a record for a Kiwi? asked Brent Samazan from Christchurch

Only four men have ever hit more than the nine sixes Tim Southee managed in his astonishing innings against England in Napier recently. Pakistan's Wasim Akram holds the Test record with 12 (against Zimbabwe in Sheikhupura in 1996-97), Wally Hammond of England managed ten in the triple-century mentioned in the first question, while Matthew Hayden's 380 - also mentioned above - included 11 sixes. The other man to hit 11 actually holds the New Zealand record: Nathan Astle, who did it in his rapid 222 against England in Christchurch in 2001-02. Southee was only the third man to hit nine sixes in a Test innings, joining Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq (against New Zealand in Lahore in 2001-02) and another New Zealander, Chris Cairns, who did it against Zimbabwe in Auckland in 1995-96. For a full list, click here.

Apart from Xavier Marshall of West Indies, is there any other Test player whose name starts with an X? asked Yasir Hasan from Pakistan

I think the only other one is the legspinning allrounder Xenophon Balaskas, who played nine Tests for South Africa in the 1930s, scoring 122 not out against New Zealand in Wellington in 1931-32. Jamaica's Xavier Marshall played two Tests for West Indies in 2005, but made his ODI debut earlier that year in Melbourne - which also happens to be his middle name. And the middle name of Graham Ford, the former South Africa coach, who is now with Kent, is also Xavier.

I know David Gower was born on All Fools' Day (April 1), but do any other significant players share his birthdate? asked Arnold Proctor from Middlesex

The most significant player apart from David Gower, who was born on this day is another languid left-hander - the recently retired Stephen Fleming of New Zealand, who is 35 today. Another Test captain - and left-hander - who was born on April Fools' Day was India's Ajit Wadekar. Today's All Today's Yesterdays page reveals the others who share their birthdate.