The lowest defences, and tortoises beating hares

Low-scoring one-day internationals are becoming increasingly rare as the years roll by. And successful defences of small scores have almost become an extinct species. In the 1980s and 1990s, a score of 200 was challenging and 300 was Everest, nowadays 250 is defendable and 300 is a brisk climb for a skilled hiker. Since 2000, only on six occasions has a team defended a target of 175 or below and only Zimbabwe and West Indies have been unable to chase targets below 150. This week, we look at the lowest totals that have been successfully defended in ODIs.

India's 125 at Sharjah in 1985 is the lowest score that has been defended in ODIs. Having lost the finals of the Benson and Hedges World Championship in Melbourne a couple of weeks earlier, Imran Khan was bent on revenge as he savaged India with 6 for 14. In reply, Pakistan capitulated meekly with only four batsmen getting double figures and only Rameez Raja passing 20 as Pakistan were all out for 87, their lowest score against India. Sharjah's early days were pretty low-scoring. It took nine matches for a team to pass 200 and a whopping 29 ODIs for a score of 250 plus.

England's famous 1980-81 tour of West Indies began with a defeat that ranks second in our table. West Indies, without Vivian Richards, had been dismissed for 127 and debutant Everton Mattis had made more than half of the runs. England, up against Andy Roberts, Michael Holding, Colin Croft and Joel Garner, had inched to 14 for no loss before four wickets tumbled for one run. Croft eventually finished with 6 for 15 as England fell short by two runs.

Another remarkable match which doesn't appear in the tables because it was curtailed to 30 overs a side is the clash between Australia and West Indies at the SCG in 1992-93. The umpires decided on a reduced match even though both captains felt that the pitch was dangerous after three days of incessant rain. "Exciting, if unreal" was how Wisden described the cricket that followed. Jones' 21 was the top score of the match as Australia made 101 for 9. West Indies, in reply, could manage only 87 and Mark Taylor, in his first match as captain, was adjudged Man of the Match for four quality catches at slip.

Slower team beating a faster team in Tests

The increased pace of scoring has also permeated Test cricket. The theory is that batting at a fast clip allows teams to pile up massive scores and yet have ample time to bowl the opposition out. We look at the vice versa - when slower teams have beaten the faster ones.

The first Test in the table was played on a wicket that became sticky after the first day in which England made 221 for 2. Rain ruined the second day and, on the third, England were bowled out for 315 in 152.5 overs. It was often the tactic to throw your bat on a sticky wicket and Australia folded for 122 in 30.2 overs of which Victor Trumper made 74. Chasing an improbable 297 after England were dismissed for 103, Australia could only manage 111.

With an unassailable 4-1 lead, Australia had already won the Frank Worrell Trophy before the final Test at the MCG in 1975-76. And after the first three innings, West Indies were hurtling towards a 1-5 thrashing. Ian Redpath scored 101 and 70 in what would be his final Test. Lance Gibbs breaking Fred Trueman's record for the most Test wickets was West Indies' brightest moment as they faced a stiff 492 to win with over ten hours to play. Richards and Clive Lloyd, however, made a dash for it smashing 98 for 103 balls and 91 not out off 88 balls. However, they were eventually dismissed for 326.

Statistics upto and including:
• Test # 1808: West Indies v India at Kingston, 4th Test, Jun 30-Jul 2, 2006
• ODI # 2391: Netherlands v Sri Lanka at Amstelveen, 2nd ODI, Jul 6, 2006

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