Lhuan-dre Pretorius beats Sachin Tendulkar among the 7 youngest cricketers to hit a Test 150

Centuries are not easy to reach. Big hundreds are even more difficult to attain.

It takes great technique and temperament for batters to reach the 150-run mark in an innings.

Most Test cricket batters wait until they are mature in both their age and game before they get there.

It is so tough that only seven batters have reached the milestone before they turned 20.

Below, we have listed all seven, from oldest to youngest.

7. Doug Walters – 155 against England at 19 years and 354 days

Walters faced Wes Hall when he was 17, and he did not let the experienced pacer dictate terms to him as he registered an outstanding half-century. The heroics caught everyone’s attention, and it wasn’t long before he was added to the Test team, eventually making his debut on December 10 1965.

Australia needed a spark in their innings when Walters walked in to bat. They were on 125/4 and needed someone to construct a partnership with Bill Lawry if they were going to mount a decent partnership.

That someone was Walters, who added 187 runs with Lawry for the fifth wicket. Walters’ innings was measured; however, he also showed that he could go on the offensive when he smashed four fours and a six off one of Bob Barber’s overs.

Walters finished the match with a classy 155 from 315 balls. His innings featured 11 fours and two sixes.

6. Graeme Pollock – 175 against Australia at 19 years and 331 days

Pollock didn’t do much with the bat on debut, only managing 25 runs in a contest that meandered to a draw. The left-hander had no answers to the questions asked of him by Brian McKenzie and Alan Connolly, who dismissed him for 18 runs across two innings in his second Test.

Pollock showed his class with a well-played 122 in the third Test, but that wasn’t his best innings of the series. Pollock unleashed hell on Australia in the fourth Test with a masterful 175.

He launched three sixes and carved 18 fours as he raced beyond the 150-run mark. Pollock shared a sensational 341-run third-wicket with Eddie Barlow. Their partnership set the bar for the highest stand for South Africa in Test cricket.

Also read: Kane Williamson over Ross Taylor – and no Stephen Fleming? Selecting New Zealand’s best Test XI since 1985

5. Sachin Tendulkar – 165 against England at 19 years and 293 days

Tendulkar could have reached 150 runs when he was 18 when they went up against Australia in 1992; however, he was denied the honour when Javagal Srinath was run out and Tendulkar was left marooned, unbeaten on 148.

Another opportunity presented itself 13 months later, and this time, Tendulkar did not miss out.

India was on 149/2 when Tendulkar arrived at the crease. He formed a brilliant 147-run third-wicket partnership with Navjot Sidhu that pinned England on the back foot. Tendulkar smashed 24 fours and a single six in his 361-minute innings. He faced 296 deliveries for his fluent innings.

4. Archie Jackson – 164 against England at 19 years and 149 days

Jackson could have been one of the great players who have played Test cricket. According to recorded information, Jackson could have rivalled Donald Bradman, had it not been for his poor health and ultimately his demise at only 23.

The right-hander was so brilliant that he debuted for New South Wales at 17. Australia added him to their team within a year.

Jackson made his debut against England in 1929, and he justified the hype around his name. He opened the batting and was the key for Australia if they wanted to reach a meaningful total. When he was dismissed, Australia was on 287/6 and he had scored 164 of the runs.

Jackson faced 331 deliveries for his 164 runs. His innings featured 15 fours and lasted for 318 minutes.

3. Neil Harvey – 153 runs against India at 19 years and 121 days

Australia scored 674 runs in the match in which Neil Harvey made his debut. However, the left-hander spent only 15 minutes in the middle. He watched most of Australia’s innings on the sidelines.

It wasn’t a great moment for the player widely regarded as one of Australia’s favourite cricketing sons.

He was highly regarded due to his solid technique and fluent stroke play, and he lived up to his reputation as a prodigious talent with a masterful 153 in the second match.

Australia was on 182/2 when he walked out to bat. He formed a brief 42-run partnership with Keith Miller, which was succeeded by a 37-run stand with Bill Brown. Harvey put Australia in control with a 219-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sam Loxton.

Harvey finished the innings with 153 from 251 balls.

2. Javed Miandad – 163 against New Zealand at 19 years and 119 days

Miandad meant business. He smashed two scores north of 150 in his first three Test matches, and they were 21 days apart. The most famous one of these efforts was his 206 against New Zealand on 30 October 1976.

Miandad’s ton was one of three centuries registered by Pakistan’s batters, alongside Majid Khan and Mushtaq Mohammad.

While it was bigger, it wasn’t the most impressive. Pakistan was on 44/3 when Miandad walked in to bat on debut. He hadn’t settled in when Pakistan lost another wicket to fall to 55/4.

Miandad showed a level of maturity that belied his age as he stitched a 281-run fifth-wicket partnership with Asif Iqbal to wrestle control back from New Zealand.

Miandad’s 163-run innings featured 19 fours, and it set Pakistan up for victory in the match.

1. Lhuan-dre Pretorius – 153 against Zimbabwe at 19 years and 19 days

South Africa was in trouble when Pretorius walked in to bat. Tanaka Chivanga tore through South Africa’s top order, reducing them to 23/3 in 14.2 overs. The left-hander was still settling in when South Africa lost their fourth wicket with 55 runs on the board.

Pretorius steadied the ship with an outstanding counter-punching 95-run fifth-wicket partnership with Dewald Brevis.

The youngsters fought fire with fire and scored at the rate of knots. South Africa was on 289/7 when Pretorius was dismissed, and his team was on solid footing by then.

Pretorius scored 153 runs from 160 balls in a knock that featured 11 fours and four sixes.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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Mashrafe Mortaza was the pioneer among these 8 rare players whose Test debut was also their first-class debut

According to records, thirty-seven players made their first-class debut in a Test cricket match.

Twenty-seven of those players played their maiden red-ball match in the 19th century, while two did so in the 20th, and the other eight did so in the 21st century.

Below, we list the 10 who made their debuts in the 21st century.

1. Mashrafe Mortaza, November 2001

Mortaza made a triumphant entry into first-class cricket. He dismissed Grant Flower, Stuart Carlisle, Heath Streak, and Brian Murphy to finish his maiden Test bowling innings with 4/106. They are figures one would expect from a seasoned red-ball campaigner.

However, Mortaza didn’t have professional experience; he had neither red-ball nor white-ball cricket experience. A few months before his Test debut, Mortaza was a 17-year-old rural boy participating in a regional under-17 tournament.

He caught the eye of everyone present, including the West Indies star, Andy Roberts, who invited him to a camp immediately afterwards.

The camp was the beginning of Mortaza’s fast-tracking process, which culminated in him taking the new ball against Zimbabwe in November 2001.

2. Yasir Ali, September 2003

Pakistan cricket has a single constant: they produce seamers at the rate of knots, and when they fast-track them, it’s not out of desperation. Yasir Ali fits the profile. He was 17, his easy-on-the-eye action and wicket-taking ability caught the attention of scouts and selectors, who got him into the national academy immediately.

Habibul Bashar was Yasir Ali’s first victim in Test cricket. It was the only wicket he bagged in the innings, but it calmed his nerves and helped him settle into the game. Yasir Ali bowled 20 overs in the match, conceded 55 runs and took two wickets. However, that was also his final Test.

3. Nazmul Hossain, December 2004

Debut wickets do not get any bigger than Gautam Gambhir; however, that was the end of the fairytale for the seamer. He bowled 25.5 overs in his maiden Test and conceded 114 runs at a rate of 4.41 runs an over. It was the second-worst economy in the match after Talha Jubair, who went at five runs an over.

Hossain cut his teeth in tour matches as a member of Bangladesh’s development sides as a 16-year-old. The limited-overs matches against England, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan’s representative sides prepared him for the 2003 u19 World Cup. The ICC event was the springboard for him into the national team.

Also read: England report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test win over India – have we been too generous to Ben Duckett and not generous enough to Chris Woakes?

4. Mujeeb Ur Rahman, June 2018

Mujeeb comes from a cricketing family. He is the nephew of Noor Ali Zadran, who has represented Afghanistan in all three formats. Zadran is also an uncle to Ibrahim Zadran, another Afghanistan international.

Mujeeb came into prominence in 2017 when he dismantled the Bangladesh u19 side with his spin in 2017. Afghanistan produces spinners by the boatload, and Mujeeb was one of the quality tweakers to come off the assembly line.

A year after his performance, Afghanistan saw his potential and fast-tracked him into the Test side in 2018.

However, his debut was not a successful one; besides dismissing Cheteshwar Pujara, nothing else went right. He conceded 75 runs in 15 overs for an economy of five runs an over.

5. Ben White, April 2023

Ireland doesn’t have many spin options, and when Ben White appeared on the senior scene, Ireland felt that they had found someone who could fill the void. White had proven himself through years of performing in Ireland’s domestic scene from the time he was 14.

White made his white ball debut in 2021, and his returns in ODI and T20 cricket gave the Irish selectors confidence to pick him for the Test side in 2023. However, despite finishing his maiden Test with 4/114, his wickets came at an expensive 5.7 runs an over.

6. Matthew Humphreys, April 2023

Humphreys perfected his craft as a left-arm orthodox spinner in T20 cricket. He had four matches for the Instonians’ senior team before he made his 50-over match for the same team, at 17.

Two years later, Humphreys was selected for the Ireland u19 World Cup squad that participated in the 2021 edition in the West Indies, where he took 11 wickets in six matches.

He made his Test debut two years after he played for Ireland in T20s and ODIs. He finished his maiden Test match, against Sri Lanka, wicketless. He conceded 67 runs in 10 overs.

7. Newman Nyamhuri, December 2024

Newman Nyamhuri was one of the players Zimbabwe Cricket had its eye on. They selected him for the u25 side that went up against Uganda in November 2023. He was 17 at the time. A year later, Nyamhuri was Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker, with eight scalps, at the u19 World Cup.

Nyamhuri made his 50-over debut in Zimbabwe’s provincial tournament in October 2024. The pacer took five wickets in two outings and contributed to Southern Rocks’ back-to-back wins.

His performance there earned him an ODI call-up, which was followed up by a Test debut shortly after. Nyamhuri finished his maiden Test match with a single wicket for 82 runs in 23 overs.

8. AM Ghazanfar, December 2024

Ghazanfar is one of the many quality spinners that come from Afghanistan’s assembly line. The right-arm off-break bowler made his name as a 16-year-old in Afghanistan’s premier T20 tournament, the Shpageeza tournament.

Ghazanfar took five wickets in three outings at a decent economy rate. He graduated to 50-over cricket the next year, in 2023.

Ghazanfar was one of Afghanistan’s top performers at the 2024 u19 World Cup with eight wickets at an average of 16.75. The mystery spinner continued his great form and made his ODI debut in 2024.

He boasts 21 wickets in 11 matches at an average of 13.57. Afghanistan, impressed by Ghazanfar’s performances in 50-over cricket, gave him his Test debut in December 2024.

The spinner took 3/127 in his first innings and took another one in the third innings, and he finished the match with 4/161 at an economy of 4.43. The contest was against Zimbabwe, and it ended in a draw.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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Exploring England’s Test match history with Zimbabwe

England’s Test Match side is preparing for a five-match series with India this summer with a one-off Test against Zimbabwe. The rare and eagerly anticipated clash is being staged at Trent Bridge, with captain Ben Stokes keen to run the rule over several potential prospects.

Prolific County cricket seam bowler, Sam Cook, will feature in England’s bowling attack, alongside Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue and solo spinner, Shoaib Bashir. On paper, it looks like a very inexperienced selection of bowlers, but it’s a rare opportunity for Stokes to put these kinds of players to the test in a low-risk match environment.

According to the latest cricket odds in late May, England have been priced as short as 1.13 to defeat Zimbabwe, despite a green bowling attack. The Zimbabweans have never beaten England at Test level, which probably explains their exceptionally long odds. Earlier in the year, Zimbabwe lost to Ireland and Afghanistan in Test games. However, their finest hour came in mid-April, when they won a Test against Bangladesh by three wickets in Sylhet.

This will no doubt give Zimbabwe heart going into their high-profile clash with England in Nottingham. England and Zimbabwe haven’t faced-off much in Test format, but the handful of encounters they’ve had over the years have been worth remembering. From gritty debut innings to controversial finishes, let’s look at England’s Test history with the Chevrons.

The Inaugural Meeting in Bulawayo (1996)

Zimbabwe’s Queens Sports Club was the venue for the first meeting between the two nations in December 1996. It was a low-key two-Test series but it was a memorable one for the Zimbabweans. The wicket was relatively tame and offered little in the way of support for the bowlers. However, England’s inconsistent batting lineup proved their downfall once again.

Nick Knight was the star of the England batters, posting 96 in the second innings. Paul Strang, who has the best figures of any Zimbabwean in a Test match, caught the eye with bat and ball for the Chevrons. Strang would eventually take seven wickets in the match.

England were set 205 for victory and needed three runs to win with the final ball of the match. Nick Knight was dramatically run out chasing the all-important third run, resulting in a drawn game.

Rain, Rain Go Away (1996)

The second Test followed just four days after the first at the Harare Sports Club. England were skittled out for just 156 with Guy Whittall’s exceptional display of 4/18 from 16 overs tying the English batters in knots. A gritty batting display from Zimbabwe’s Grant Flower, scoring 73 from 255 deliveries, helped the hosts to 59-run lead after the first innings.

England then grinded their way to 195/3 in their second innings, scoring at just over two runs an over. Wicketkeeper-batter Alec Stewart was unbeaten on 101 from 267 deliveries at the end of day four, with England leading by 136 runs. Unfortunately for both sides, rain arrived early on day five, ruling out any play with the match ending in a second successive draw.

England Prove Too Strong on Home Soil (2000)

Zimbabwe then ventured to England for a two-match Test series in May/June 2000 at Lord’s and Trent Bridge. England posted an imposing 415 in their first innings at Lord’s, while some exceptional swing bowling from the likes of Darren Gough and Ed Giddins skittled the Chevrons out for 83, forcing them to follow-on. They were bowled out again for just 123, giving England a win by an innings and 209 runs.

The Chevrons put up more resistance in the second Test at Trent Bridge, which could be an omen. Murray Goodwin struck 148 not-out as Zimbabwe declared 89 runs behind England’s first innings total of 374.

England were bowled out for 147 in their second innings, setting the visitors a target of 237 for victory. Losing the entirety of day two to rain meant that there wasn’t enough time in the match for Zimbabwe to close it down and the game was drawn.

The Chevrons will hope that their strong showing in Nottingham 25 years ago is a good omen for this year’s meeting.

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Modern-day greats Marnus Labuschagne and Harry Brook add themselves to top 12 list of yesteryear’s heroes

Cricket is a game all about statistics and milestones.

Those stats are interesting and revealing as they contrast generations, styles and even formats.

There is a huge amount of data to mine and sift through. In terms of fastest-to milestones, the players on the fastest to 500 Test runs list will in all likelihood look vastly different to those on the fastest to 10,000 runs.

The journey to 2000 Test runs is neither a measure of talent nor a testament to longevity, it’s a test of adaptability, temperament, and the ability to start a career with intent.

While longevity rewards the 10,000-run club, this list favours the fast starters; the ones who burst onto the scene with a roar.

What’s also interesting is the diversity in eras and nationalities: players from Australia, the West Indies, and England dominate the list, but each did so in vastly different contexts, some on uncovered pitches, some in the DRS age, some amid packed stadiums, others during global uncertainty.

With that in mind, let’s take a look to see which players have been the fastest to 2000 Test cricket runs.

12. Arthur Morris (Australia): 23 Tests, 36 innings

Arthur Morris, the elegant left-hander from Australia‘s golden era of the late 1940s and early ’50s, was a key component of Don Bradman’s famed ‘Invincibles’.

A stylish opener with a compact technique and superb temperament, Morris reached 2000 runs in just 36 innings, underlining his consistency at the top of the order. His ability to dominate attacks in a low-scoring era marked him out as one of Australia’s finest post-war batsmen.

11. Everton Weekes (West Indies): 23 Tests, 36 innings

One-third of the West Indies‘ iconic ‘Three Ws’, Everton Weekes stormed onto the Test scene with a string of big scores. His tally of five consecutive Test centuries remains a record.

Weekes wasn’t just prolific, he was explosive, with a penchant for punishing bowling attacks with power and precision. That he reached 2000 runs in 36 innings in the 1940s and ’50s, when conditions often favoured bowlers, makes his feat even more impressive.

10. Frank Worrell (West Indies): 22 Tests, 36 innings

Another member of the ‘Three Ws’, Frank Worrell matched Weekes in his journey to 2000 runs, albeit in one fewer Test. Worrell, graceful and cerebral, brought class to the crease and leadership to the Caribbean.

Beyond his elegant stroke play, his role in shaping West Indian cricket into a force of unity and pride was pivotal. His early success with the bat was a precursor to a great all-round cricketing legacy.

9. Harry Brook (England): 22 Tests, 36 innings

One of only two modern names in the top 12, Harry Brook’s rapid ascent through the Test ranks has been a defining feature of England’s post-2022 ‘Bazball’ revolution.

With attacking flair, confidence, and shot-making innovation, Brook has torn into opposition bowlers across continents. His 36-innings march to 2000 runs, achieved in an era of aggressive intent, suggests he could be one of England’s next long-term middle-order titans.

8. Viv Richards (West Indies): 21 Tests, 36 innings

Few batters in history have struck more fear into bowlers than Sir Isaac Vivian Alexander Richards. The swagger, the gum-chewing calm, and the explosive bat-speed made him a nightmare for any opposition.

Viv’s 2000 came up in just 36 innings, during a time when West Indies dominated world cricket. His ability to score heavily and rapidly made him a trendsetter for aggressive Test batting long before T20s existed.

Also read: Joe Root tops yet another Test record list as Sachin Tendulkar and Graeme Smith take a backseat in the 4th innings

7. Brian Lara (West Indies): 22 Tests, 35 innings

Brian Lara’s genius was apparent from the moment he burst onto the international scene. His 2000-run milestone came quickly, thanks to a series of massive scores, including his unforgettable 277 at the SCG.

Lara was a batsman of flair, precision, and imagination. His quick accumulation of runs wasn’t just about efficiency; it was about domination. Even early in his career, he seemed destined to be one of the greats.

6. Doug Walters (Australia): 22 Tests, 35 innings

A cult hero in Australian cricket, Doug Walters was a free-spirited right-hander with a knack for scoring runs quickly and stylishly. He reached 2000 runs in just 35 innings, often entertaining crowds with his seemingly casual brilliance.

Walters’ record against quality bowling attacks, and his ability to rise to the big occasion, makes his place on this list a reflection of his natural batting instincts and match awareness.

5. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia): 20 Tests, 34 innings

Marnus Labuschagne’s rise from concussion substitute to world-beating run machine is one of modern cricket’s great stories. His run to 2000 Test runs was quick, calculated, and controlled.

Built on a foundation of immense concentration, precise footwork and a hunger for big innings, Labuschagne has brought a refreshing focus to the art of batting. His climb to this milestone in just 34 innings confirmed him as a mainstay in Australia’s top order.

4. Herbert Sutcliffe (England): 22 Tests, 33 innings

An iconic name from cricket’s interwar period, Herbert Sutcliffe was the epitome of resilience and technical perfection. Opening alongside Jack Hobbs, Sutcliffe prospered in difficult conditions and on uncovered pitches.

His march to 2000 runs in just 33 innings was achieved with the same steady, unflappable approach that defined his entire career. A master of concentration, he averaged nearly 61 in Tests – a testament to his consistent excellence.

3. Mike Hussey (Australia): 20 Tests, 33 innings

They didn’t call him ‘Mr. Cricket’ for nothing. Mike Hussey’s late entry into the Test arena didn’t stop him from making an immediate impact. His disciplined, high-percentage play saw him churn out runs from the start.

With 2000 runs coming in only 33 innings, Hussey joined an elite club of players who transitioned from domestic stalwarts to international stars almost overnight. His ability to adapt to match situations made him indispensable for Australia during a crucial era.

2. George Headley (West Indies): 17 Tests, 32 innings

Known as the ‘Black Bradman’, George Headley’s inclusion near the top of this list is no surprise. A solitary figure in the early days of West Indies cricket, Headley often shouldered the batting burden single-handedly and still managed to succeed with grace and efficiency.

Scoring 2000 Test runs in just 32 innings during the 1930s, in some of the most challenging conditions and political contexts imaginable, Headley’s achievement transcends numbers. He wasn’t just great, he was foundational.

1. Donald Bradman (Australia): 15 Tests, 22 innings

Was there ever any doubt? Sir Donald Bradman, cricket’s greatest statistical marvel, stands alone atop the fastest-to-2000 Test runs list. He reached the mark in a scarcely believable 22 innings, averaging nearly 100 in the format.

Bradman’s dominance was absolute, his appetite for runs insatiable. No player has come close to matching his scoring rate over such a sustained period. His place at number one here is yet another reminder of the gulf between him and everyone else.

Read next: England report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test win over India – have we been too generous to Ben Duckett and not generous enough to Chris Woakes?

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England report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test win over India – have we been too generous to Ben Duckett and not generous enough to Chris Woakes?

Of the past 10 occasions Ben Stokes has won the toss, England have bowled nine times.

They’ve won seven of those, lost one and drawn once, with two days of a Test at Old Trafford washed out.

It’s clear that the England captain backs his side to chase down big day five targets, and his team has duly repaid his faith in them.

Their 5 wicket win over India in the last hour of the first of a five-match series at Headingley was the latest example of England thriving in their new ‘anti-draw’ game plan.

It was the largest aggregate score for a Test cricket match between the two sides, with the visitors the first nation to lose a Test with five centurions.

Cricket365 have compiled a report card with player ratings for the England side who go 1-0 up in the biggest Test series before the Ashes.

1. Zak Crawley – 6 out of 10

Crawley had a nightmare start to the series, which will either punch or tear up his ticket to Australia later in the year, prodding tentatively at a good ball from high-flying Jasprit Bumrah to be dismissed for four in the first over.

He built a pivotal opening partnership of 188 with Ben Duckett, but never looked entirely comfortable with only 65 of the runs off his bat as the centurion took on the game from the other end.

2. Ben Duckett – 10 out of 10

Perhaps the finest of his six Test centuries, Duckett supplemented 62 in the first innings with a score of 149, which proved decisive in their run chase, getting it off to the perfect start and ultimately making life a little bit less stressful for the middle order.

He seems to be as settled as we’ve seen him opening the batting for England, his bat-on-ball approach should fill us with concern, instead, he makes us optimistic – just what we need ahead of an Ashes series down under.

3. Ollie Pope – 8 out of 10

The vice-captain’s place in the Test side has been the biggest talking point in the build-up to England’s biggest test before the Ashes, with many believing the largely unproven, but undoubtedly talented Jacob Bethell, should have been in the XI.

Pope, who’s century against Zimbabwe likely saved his spot at number three, answered his critics with a classy score of 106 in England’s first innings against India, displaying his ability to build innings with his confidence on the up at just the right time.

Also read: Indian report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test defeat to England – who tipped the scales with a 10 and who flopped with a 3?

4. Joe Root – 7 out of 10

While Root didn’t score a century, something he seems to do every Test match, he was instrumental in getting England over the line in the second innings with his vintage class, helping the middle order get the run chase down with no drama.

He scored 28 in the first innings and it was his unbeaten 53* that brought up the same amount of Test half centuries as the number on his shirt – 66 Test fifties and counting…

5. Harry Brook – 7 out of 10

A promising start quickly turned into a tough Test match for Harry Brook, who scored an impressive yet gutting 99 in the first innings with his classic aggression on full display.

He got out cheaply in the second innings and will be frustrated not to have brought up a ninth Test century.

6. Ben Stokes – 6 out of 10

This score felt harsh when writing it down, but I firmly believe the England captain won’t be happy with his batting performance getting out cheaply in both innings for 20 and 33 after making a start.

He would have loved to have got his side over the line with the bat at Headingley once more, but the first innings of 4-66 as England’s fourth seamer will be reassuring for everyone after his injury woes.

7. Jamie Smith – 7 out of 10

Smith’s maturity at the crease has stood out in his young international career with 40 in the first innings and 44* in the second, while playing a measured innings as the last batter before the tail to get England over the line.

He already averages 45.31, and the sky seems the limit for the wicketkeeper who was equally dependable with the gloves.

8. Chris Woakes – 5 out of 10

The Headingley pitch was a batter’s paradise, and this is never going to suit the plucky bowling of Chris Woakes, who comes into his own in the right overhead conditions and surface.

He hit 38 with the bat to bring up 2000 Test runs but had little to celebrate with the ball, taking just the one wicket in the match.

9. Brydon Carse – 6 out of 10

Claiming the scalps of Shubman Gill and Yashasvi Jaiswal as well as KL Rahul in both innings, Carse was among the pick of the bowlers, bowling fast and with tenacity.

He arguably deserved more than his four wickets, but that’s Test cricket; it’s supposed to be tough.

10. Josh Tongue – 7 out of 10

Dubbed ‘The Mop’ by Ben Duckett for his ability to clean up the tail, Tongue just did that, taking seven match wickets, three in an over and decimating the Indian lower order in the first innings.

He looked sharp in his first major test since a long-term injury setback.

11. Shoaib Bashir – 6 out of 10

It was a tough match for Bashir, whose match figures of 3-190 don’t tell the whole story; he held an end for his captain and was persistent on a pitch that didn’t offer him all that much.

It’s clear the powers above trust his potential, and we will see a lot more from Bashir this summer.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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Indian report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test defeat to England – who tipped the scales with a 10 and who flopped with a 3?

Any Test that achieves a result in the final session of the fifth day is a good game, and the opening Test of the current series between England and India was exactly that.

India came close, and it might have been a different result if they had been a bit sharper in the field – they spilt several catches over the two innings.

In the end it was England who triumphed in a game that saw seven centuries scored across four innings and a total of 1673 runs scored – the highest number of aggregate runs ever in a Test between these two sides.

With the game still fresh in our minds, let’s take a moment to compile a report card for the Indian team.

1. Yashasvi Jaiswal – 6 out of 10

Another good game for the young opener who is on track to become one of the fastest ever batters to reach the 2000 Test run mark. He scores quickly and looks set for a long stay at the top of the Indian order. Fielding is his weak point however – he must stop dropping catches.

2. KL Rahul – 9 out of 10

An outstanding player who finished the Test with 179 runs. His career Test average is only 33.57, but his performance at Headingley is closer to what fans will expect from him.

3. Sai Sudharsan – 4 out of 10

Seemingly undismissable in IPL cricket, Sudharsan found it tougher in Test cricket as he made his debut in the longest format. He was clearly nervous in the first innings when he was dismissed for a duck, but he ground it out in the second dig to post a modest 30 from 48 balls. The number three position is vital, and he’ll need to do more if he wants to make it his own.

4. Shubman Gill – 7 out of 10

A century on his captaincy debut was a good return, but he looked a bit short of ideas in the final innings as Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett took the game away from the visitors. That said a captain can only lay plans, his fielders must hold the catches that come their way – Gill was badly let down in this regard.

Also read: Remembering the fastest Test 100 records for each country – just how big, and how quickly, did Adam Gilchrist go against England in 2006?

5. Rishabh Pant – 10 out of 10

He came in for some stick in the series in Australia when he was accused of throwing his wicket away with irresponsible shots. But it’s hard to argue against a performance that brought a century in each innings. He may have let through a few too many byes, but in fairness, the balls that got away from him were pretty unstoppable.

6. Karun Nair – 4 out of 10

More than eight years since his last Test for India, Karun Nair was back. He would have wanted to show the world what they had been missing but it wasn’t to be as he fell for a duck in the first innings before contributing a patient 20 in the second.

7. Ravindra Jadeja – 5 out of 10

He is in the team as an allrounder, but he didn’t do enough with either bat or ball. He bowled 47 overs for a solitary wicket and scored a total of 36 runs. Like a DJ with a mixed tape, he needs to bring a little more to the party.

8. Shardul Thakur – 3 out of 10

A bit of a passenger for most of the game he left it too late to find his groove. He managed five runs in total and until he grabbed two wickets in two balls wasn’t overly convincing with the ball either. His position will be under threat for the second Test.

9. Jasprit Bumrah – 8 out of 10

He’s not ranked as the world’s number one Test bowler for nothing. He produced a superb 5/83 in England’s first innings but couldn’t find a way through in time to make an impact in England’s second innings. A dropped catch off his own bowling was a blemish he would not have wanted.

10. Mohammed Siraj – 6 out of 10

He battled manfully with plenty of aggression and a lot of bad luck – he had more than his fair share of catches dropped off his bowling. With just two wickets to his credit, you have to wonder if he will be there when the action moves to Birmingham or if he will be replaced with the left-arm fare of Arshdeep Singh.

11. Prasidh Krishna – 5 out of 10

Useful but not as effective as he would have wanted to be. Prasidh bagged three wickets in the first innings, before struggling in the final innings – until the rain break that is, after which he made the breakthrough that gave India a glimmer of hope with the wickets of Crawley and Pope. But it was too little too late. His economy rate in both innings was over six which is simply not good enough.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

The post Indian report cards (out of 10) after Headingley Test defeat to England – who tipped the scales with a 10 and who flopped with a 3? appeared first on Cricket365.

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England claim historic victory over India after completing mammoth run chase

England claim historic victory over India after completing mammoth run chase

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Remembering the fastest Test 100 records for each country – just how big, and how quickly, did Adam Gilchrist go against England in 2006?

Every now and then, batters will walk to the crease and play knocks so brisk they transform the game.

Below, we have listed the 10 fastest centuries in Test cricket by country; the cut-off was a maximum of 100 deliveries.

This makes for interesting reading.

10. Brian Bennett (Zimbabwe) – 97 balls to reach 100 vs England, 2025

Twenty-two years passed between England and Zimbabwe’s sixth and seventh Test, and Brian Bennett made the resumption of bilateral matches between the two sides memorable for Zimbabweans in England and elsewhere in the world.

England went into the contest as favourites, and the cricketing world expected the hosts to trample on a Zimbabwe side that would just roll over and die. That is not what Zimbabwe did. The visitors put up a fight, and Brian Bennett was the embodiment of Zimbabwe’s fighting spirit.

Bennett showed his range as he raced to 50 in 56 balls, and then slightly changed his tempo, facing a further 41 deliveries to his century. The 21-year-old, who was playing in his seventh Test, finished the innings with 139 from 143 balls.

9. Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh) – 94 balls to reach 100 vs England, 2010

No Bangladesh batter had scored a Test century in England until Tamim Iqbal did so in 2010, and he did it in style. The Bangladesh opener raced to a 94-ball century in one of the most spectacular knocks at Lord’s.

Tamim Iqbal was so quick that at one point, he went from 37 to 77 in 27 deliveries. The acceleration was so spectacular that his partner, Imrul Kayes, was stuck on 49 runs, patiently waiting to reach his maiden Test half-century. Iqbal and Kayes put on 185 runs in a fighting opening stand that gave Bangladesh, in a losing cause.

Soumya Sarkar scored the joint-fastest century by a Bangladesh batter when he also reached his century in 94 deliveries against New Zealand nine years later.

8. Mahela Jayawardene (Sri Lanka) – 80 balls to reach 100 vs Bangladesh, 2001

Marvan Atapattu retired out after reaching his fifth double century. At that point, Sri Lanka had 440 runs on the board with a 350-run lead. But if Bangladesh thought that Atapattu’s exit would bring them respite, they were mistaken. Mahela Jayawardene strode out and scorched his way to an 80-ball century.

Jayawardene gorged 26 fours and a single six on his way to a brilliant 150 off just 115 balls. The number four batter then retired out, feeling that his work was done. Nothing demonstrated his dominance more than his walking out without being dismissed.

7. Gilbert Jessop (England) – 76 balls to reach 100 vs Australia, 1902

The match looked lost. England had stumbled to 183 in their reply to Australia’s first innings score of 324. The visitors, Australia, then added a further 121 runs to grow their lead to 262. Australia’s bowlers did not waste time before they reduced England to 48/5.

That’s when Gilbert Jessop walked out to bat. The middle-order batter was so much in a rush that he almost lost his wicket to a stumping when he was on 22. However, Jessop wasn’t shaken by that; he kept his foot on the accelerator. At one point, he scored four 4’s and a single off successive balls from Jack Saunders.

Jessop reached his century in 76 balls and was dismissed for 104 from 77 balls. His innings was so crucial that it turned this around and led England to victory.

6. AB de Villiers (South Africa) – 75 balls to reach 100 vs India, 2011

India had spread the field. Hashim Amla and Jacques Kallis had mounted an outstanding 230-run partnership, and South Africa’s lead had also swelled to over 200. India was now more concerned with limiting the damage as the innings meandered towards a declaration. The crowd at Centurion was being dragged along, while hoping for some excitement.

Then AB de Villiers walked to the crease. He flayed the bowlers and carved the field as he raced to an impressive 75-ball century. De Villiers kept spectators spellbound as he unleashed straight drives, cuts, reverse paddles, and all other exciting shots. His innings was so quick that when he struck the six that brought up his century, putting him on 105, Jacques Kallis had only added 47 runs on the other end.

De Villiers finished the match with 129 off 112 balls. His knock featured 12 fours and five sixes.

5. Mohammad Azharuddin (India) – 74 balls to reach 100 vs South Africa, 1997

Gary Kirsten scored twin tons, and Andrew Hudson and Daryll Cullinan also registered centuries. But none was as memorable as Mohammad Azharuddin’s masterful innings.

The India star carved five fours off Lance Klusener in a baptism of fire for the debutant. No other South African bowler was spared; Azharuddin hammered the attack that included Allan Donald, Paul Adams, Brian McMillan, Hansie Cronje, and Pat Symcox. He reached his fifty off 35 balls, his century off 74.

Azharuddin’s knock came when India had their backs against the wall. Besides him, no other top seven batter reached 40 runs. Nayan Mongia led the scoring with 35 runs, Rahul Dravid added 30, and the rest scored less than 20 runs each. Azharuddin was eventually dismissed for 109 from 77 balls.

Also read: Kane Williamson over Ross Taylor – and no Stephen Fleming? Selecting New Zealand’s best Test XI since 1985

4. Adam Gilchrist (Australia) – 57 balls to reach 100 vs England, 2006

Perth was hot in December 2006, but the WACA was hotter, thanks to a brutal blitz launched by Adam Gilchrist on the English bowling attack. The Australia wicket-keeper seemed intent on proving a point. He had scored a duck in the first innings and wanted to disprove any theories that suggested that England’s bowlers had a stranglehold on him.

In hindsight, Gilchrist reached 50 at a leisurely pace. He faced 40 balls to get there. The left-hander did not threaten to play a defensive shot after reaching the milestone. His march to a hundred only required 17 more balls.

It would have taken 16 balls had Matthew Hoggard, in a desperate attempt at self-preservation, sent in a wide delivery when Gilchrist was on 96. Gilchrist took a single off that ball. Then, he creamed the next one he faced for four. He finished the match unbeaten on 102 from 59 deliveries.

3. Misbah-ul-Haq (Pakistan) – 56 balls to reach 100 vs Australia, 2015

Two batters scored two centuries when Pakistan hosted Australia in Abu Dhabi in 2014. Azhar Ali made 109 and an unbeaten 100 in the first and third innings. Misbah-ul-Haq matched that with 101 in the first innings and 101 not out in the third innings. Younis Khan outscored both batters with a first innings score of 213.

However, only one of those centuries made the news: Misbah-ul-Haq’s unbeaten 101. His 56-ball century was the joint-fastest 100 in Test cricket, equaling Viv Richards’ effort 18 years earlier. Many batters had come and tried, but none had matched or surpassed Richards’ record.

Misbah-ul-Haq scythed 11 fours and five sixes for his history-making century. He finished the innings unbeaten on 101 from 57 balls.

2. Viv Richards (West Indies) – 56 balls to reach 100 vs England, 1986

The world agreed that Viv Richards was the master. There was no second-guessing that assessment. He had shown time and again what he was capable of; however, all he needed was a crowning moment. An innings to put an indelible stamp on cricket.

That moment was presented to him at the Antigua Recreation Ground in 1986. He was on his home ground, locals packed the stands, the pitch was good for batting, and England’s bowlers were no match for the blitz Richards unleashed. The West Indies captain raced to a 56-ball century, the fastest hundred in the history of cricket at the time. Richards held the record for decades.

Richards was unbeaten when he declared. He had scored 110 from 58 balls in a knock that featured seven fours and as many sixes.

1. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand) – 54 balls to reach 100 against Australia, 2016

Brendon McCullum would have preferred to win the toss, but he didn’t. The pitch was a bowling paradise, and he would have liked to bowl first, but he lost the toss and Australia had elected to bat first.

The visitors made good use of the conditions by reducing New Zealand to 32/3 after 20 overs. A score of 150 looked highly improbable until McCullum stepped to the crease, wielding his bat like a weapon of mass destruction. He also used it like one. The New Zealander razed down the Australian bowling attack on his way to a 54-ball century, the fastest hundred in Test cricket ever.

McCullum ran 15 ones and five twos to accompany his 21 fours and six sixes on his way to an imperious 79-ball 145 that lifted New Zealand to a first innings score of 370.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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England eye history – and 350-run chase – in evenly poised first Test with India

England eye history – and 350-run chase – in evenly poised first Test with India

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More Headingley magic on cards with England and India finely poised in first Test

More Headingley magic on cards with England and India finely poised in first Test

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Can we realistically compare Kemar Roach to Malcolm Marshall? The stats say yes

The West Indies have produced some of the best bowlers in the history of Test cricket.

There was an era when their four-man seam bowling attack terrorised batters who crossed their paths.

They have also produced some of the best spinners to ever play. However, who is the cream of their crop?

We have listed the nine best bowlers the West Indies have produced below.

9. Andy Roberts – 202 Test wickets for West Indies

Roberts was one of the best pacers when it came to setting batters up for a wicket. The Antiguan varied his pace well, often lulling batters into a false sense of security before releasing his quickest delivery to send the batter packing. His set-ups worked so well that he was the fastest bowler to 100 Test wickets in the 1970s.

Roberts bagged 11 five-wicket hauls in his 11-year career and bagged seven-wicket hauls in an innings twice, 7/64 against India in Chennai in 1974, and his best bowling in an innings, 7/54 against Australia in Australia in 1975. His best bowling figures in a match were 12/121, a tally he achieved against India in 1974.

8. Garry Sobers – 235 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

Sobers achieved great fame for his skills with the bat, so much so that most people forget that the all-rounder was an outstanding bowler. The Bajan was a genius who could bowl almost everything. As a professional cricketer, he delivered left-arm fast-medium, left-arm orthodox and left-arm wrist spin.

Sobers is the only all-rounder on the list of West Indies greats for a good reason. He took 235 wickets in 159 innings at an average of 34. He registered his best bowling figures in an innings when he took 6/73 against Australia in 1968.

7. Michael Holding – 249 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

According to legend, Holding had a run-up so smooth and quiet he made no sound as he approached the crease, and thus his nickname, The Whispering Death. In 1981, Holding put on a clinic on aggression with one of the fiercest overs in history when he put Geoff Boycott through the wringer.

Holding produced his best bowling figures in an innings on an unhelpful surface at the Oval, in England, in 1976. The surface was slow, but Holding bent it to his will by bowling fast and straight on his way to 8/92. The pacer produced another spectacular show in the second innings, taking 6/57 on his way to 14/149, his best bowling figures in a match.

He ended his career with 249 wickets in 113 innings at a brilliant average of 23.68.

Also read: Fans of vintage West Indies – when they were at their peak – will enjoy this top 9 list monopolised by Brian Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul

6. Joel Garner – 259 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

An average of 20.9 is a sight to behold for any bowler with 200 or more wickets. It explains just how effective Joel Garner was with the ball in hand. The Barbados native was one of the best exponents of the yorker, and batters lived in mortal fear of him shooting one at the base of their stumps.

Garner collected seven four-wicket hauls before he finally bagged his maiden five-wicket haul. He took 6/56 against New Zealand in 1980. It was the first of seven five-wicket hauls in his 10-year career. His best bowling figures in a match were 9/108, achieved against England in 1984.

Garner’s 259 wickets came in 111 innings.

5. Kemar Roach – 284 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

Roach is the only modern bowler on this list. However, there is a good reason why he is this high. The Bajan matured as a cricketer when the West Indies lacked effective fast bowlers, and Roach was forced to shoulder the burden of getting wickets for the West Indies alone. He did his best.

Roach delivered his best bowling performance in his second Test, bagging 6/48 against Bangladesh in 2009. Sadly, his bowling wasn’t enough to secure victory for the West Indies. It was the first of 10 five-wicket hauls that Roach took in his 14-year Test career.

He registered a single ten-wicket haul, his best bowling figures in a match, against Australia in 2012. He took five wickets in each of the innings to finish the match with 10/146.

4. Lance Gibbs – 309 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

If Sobers was the West Indies’ greatest all-rounder, Gibbs was their greatest spinner. The right-arm offie was unplayable at his best. He was so good that he once took three wickets in four balls in one match, bagged a hat-trick in the next, and another six in the third match. He did all this against Australia.

Gibbs was the first spinner to take 300 Test wickets. His best outing was against India in 1962 when he spun his way to 8/38. He took the wickets in an unbroken 15-over spell that conceded a mere six runs. Gibbs finished his career with 18 five-wicket hauls and two 10-wicket hauls in Tests. His 309 wickets came in 148 innings at an economy of 1.98.

3. Malcolm Marshall – 376 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

The batters who faced him and the spectators who watched him agreed on one thing: Marshall had an extensive toolbox, and he knew how to use all the tools at his disposal. He could swing the ball either way without betraying his intentions with his body. He had a vicious bouncer, a fierce legcutter and got the ball to skid on when he wanted.

In 1984, he produced an outstanding performance to take 7/53 after he had injured his left hand. However, he delivered his best bowling in an innings on a surface he wasn’t supposed to dominate on. The curator at Old Trafford prepared a spinning track, and Marshall responded by employing late swing, bowling cutters and pitching the ball up on his way to 7/22.

He ended his career with 376 wickets in 151 innings at an average of 20.94.

2. Curtly Ambrose – 405 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

Ambrose didn’t have much to say and famously turned away from interviews with a five-word response, “Curtly talk to no man.” The Antiguan preferred to let the ball do the talking for him, and it said a lot. Ambrose famously bundled England out for 46 with an incredible spell that bagged him 6/24. At another time, bowled a ferocious spell that earned him seven wickets for one run, and he finished the innings with 7/25.

His best bowling in an innings was 8/45 against England in 1990. Ambrose was one of two West Indies bowlers to pass the 400 Test-wicket mark. He finished his career with 406 wickets in 179 innings at an average of 20.99.

1. Courtney Walsh – 519 wickets Test wickets for West Indies

Walsh was one part of one of the greatest new-ball bowling partnerships in the history of cricket. Walsh and Courtney Walsh took an incredible 421 scalps in 49 Tests. The Jamaican pacer had an economical but effective bowling action, buttressed by his tirelessness, which caused problems for batters across the globe.

Walsh enjoyed a fruitful 17-year career that saw him leave a mark on the game as the seventh fastest bowler to reach 500 Test wickets. The pacer bagged seven five-wicket hauls before he achieved his best bowling figures in an innings. Walsh ran through the New Zealand batting order, claiming 7/37 in 20.4 overs. He also took 6/18 in the second innings of that encounter to register his career-best bowling figures in a match of 13/55.

Walsh’s 519 wickets came in 242 innings at an average of 24.44.

Read next: Did Chris Gayle get named in this West Indies’ best Test XI of the past 40 years?

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Zen-like Pope passes brilliant Bumrah examination

Zen-like Pope passes brilliant Bumrah examination

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Ben Stokes has his ‘Nasser in Brisbane’ moment as India pile up runs

Ben Stokes has his ‘Nasser in Brisbane’ moment as India pile up runs

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Mushfiqur Rahim unjustifiably unnoticed among Test cricket’s highest run-scorers – the time is now to sing his praises

As Bangladesh get the latest cycle of the World Test Championship underway with an away trip to Sri Lanka, it makes for interesting reading to see which players have scored the most Test runs for the Asian newcomers.

Unlike more established nations like India and Pakistan, Bangladesh have only been playing Tests since 2000 (their first was against India in November 2000), which means just 25 years of Test history.

Despite that relatively short timeline, Bangladesh have produced several high-class performers – gritty stroke-makers, middle-order stalwarts, and multi-dimensional all-rounders. Who have been their outstanding performers over the years?

In total, 10 players have passed the 2000-run mark for the Tigers in Test cricket – let’s see who they are:

10. Najmul Hossain Shanto (2017-2025): 2,025 Test runs for Bangladesh

Once regarded as a player with more potential than production, Najmul Hossain Shanto has grown into a dependable figure in Bangladesh’s top order. With a technically sound approach and the ability to occupy the crease, Shanto has been a key contributor in recent years.

His tally of over 2,000 Test runs highlights his rise in consistency, particularly between 2022 and 2024, when he notched several match-defining hundreds. At just 26, he should still climb much higher on this list, as his century in the first Test against Bangladesh suggests.

9. Mehidy Hasan Miraz (2016-2025): 2,068 Test runs for Bangladesh

Primarily known for his off-spin, Mehidy Hasan Miraz has also become a useful lower-order batter, often stepping up in times of crisis. With nearly 2,100 runs at an average above 24 – impressive for a player batting at No. 7 or below – Mehidy has provided many crucial contributions, including resilient half-centuries and fighting stands.

His ability to contribute with both bat and ball makes him one of the most valuable multi-role players Bangladesh have had in Tests. He has twice reached three figures in Tests.

8. Mohammad Ashraful (2001-2013): 2,737 Test runs for Bangladesh

A prodigy who made headlines with a century on debut at just 17, Mohammad Ashraful was one of the earliest poster boys of Bangladesh cricket. Mercurial, stylish, and infuriatingly inconsistent, Ashraful had all the talent but rarely the temperament to match.

Still, his tally of 2,737 runs, including centuries against Sri Lanka, Australia, and South Africa, made him one of Bangladesh’s mainstays through the tough early years at the start of their Test journey. His international career ended in disappointment, but his contributions remain significant.

7. Litton Das (2015-2025): 2,788 Test runs for Bangladesh

Elegant, wristy, and increasingly reliable, Litton Das has been one of Bangladesh’s brightest batting talents of the past decade. Initially inconsistent, he matured into a technically refined batter capable of anchoring innings or shifting gears when needed.

His average of 34.00 reflects growing consistency, and he’s been one of Bangladesh’s best players in away conditions, particularly in New Zealand and South Africa. As the team evolves, Litton remains a central figure in Bangladesh’s batting unit.

Also read: Prabath Jayasuriya climbing this top 9 list at a rapid rate – the Sri Lankan spinner will be in the top 5 soon enough

6. Mohammad Mahmudullah (2009-2021): 2,914 Test runs for Bangladesh

Often underrated in the longest format, Mahmudullah quietly amassed close to 3,000 runs in Tests with a solid average of 33.49. Known for his calm presence under pressure, he produced some memorable innings, including a match-saving century in New Zealand and a double-hundred against Zimbabwe in what turned out to be his farewell Test.

His decision to retire from Tests in 2021 surprised many, but his legacy as a crisis man and a dependable middle-order contributor remains intact.

5. Habibul Bashar (2000-2008): 3,026 Test runs for Bangladesh

The original batting stalwart of Bangladesh’s Test team, Habibul Bashar carried the side through its formative years. With his gritty technique and appetite for long innings, Bashar notched up 3,026 runs at a time when victories were rare and team totals often modest.

He captained the side through some of its earliest milestones and is remembered fondly as a pioneer who laid the foundation for those who followed. His role in normalising competitiveness in Tests was vital.

4. Mominul Haque (2013-2025): 4,577 Test runs for Bangladesh

The most prolific Test specialist in Bangladesh history, Mominul Haque thrived particularly on home soil. A compact left-hander, he’s produced 13 Test centuries and has anchored the middle order for more than a decade. Mominul’s calm temperament and ability to bat for long periods made him a natural fit for Test cricket.

His average of 37.21 is among the best in the country’s history, and he briefly captained the side as well, including leading them to a famous win in New Zealand – in a game that saw him score 101 runs while being dismissed just once.

3. Shakib Al Hasan (2007-2024): 4,609 Test runs for Bangladesh

Bangladesh’s greatest all-rounder and arguably their finest cricketer across all formats, Shakib Al Hasan was a titan in Tests and white-ball cricket alike. With over 4,600 runs and 200+ wickets, he joined the elite group of Test all-rounders alongside the likes of Jacques Kallis and Ian Botham.

Shakib’s ability to adapt, whether grinding it out or counterattacking, made him a game-changer. His best came in pressure situations, including away tours in the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Though he retired from Tests in 2024, his impact remains profound.

2. Tamim Iqbal (2008-2023): 5,134 Test runs for Bangladesh

A flamboyant opener with audacious stroke-play, Tamim Iqbal is Bangladesh’s most successful Test opener by some margin. His bold hundreds in England, New Zealand, and the Caribbean are part of Test folklore.

Tamim’s fearless batting style often gave Bangladesh fast starts, and his appetite for runs saw him notch 10 centuries and 31 fifties. His average of 38.89, the highest among the top five, and over 5,000 runs make him one of the true greats of Bangladeshi cricket.

1. Mushfiqur Rahim (2005-2025): 6,160 Test runs for Bangladesh

Sitting atop the pile is Mushfiqur Rahim, Bangladesh’s most accomplished Test batsman. With over 6,000 runs and a career stretching 20 years, he has been the heartbeat of the team through various generations.

Equally adept at playing the long innings and adapting to different match situations, Mushfiqur has scored double hundreds, batted with the tail, and often fought lone battles. A former captain, and once the team’s wicketkeeper, his mental toughness and technical adaptability stand out.

His place at the summit is fitting for a player who gave everything for the red and green. Still going strong at 38-years-old, Mushfiqur bagged another ton in the opening game of the series against Sri Lanka.

Read next: Will Blessing Muzarabani overtake Heath Streak as Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker in Tests? The stats show it’s just a matter of time

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Will Blessing Muzarabani overtake Heath Streak as Zimbabwe’s top wicket-taker in Tests? The stats show it’s just a matter of time

Zimbabwe has never been one of those countries that produces superstar bowlers.

However, what they have done better than most countries is generate pacers and spinners who continually nag at a good length until they get results for their team.

Below, we highlight Zimbabwe’s highest wicket-takers in Tests.

9. Guy Whittall, 51 wickets.

Whittall did not bowl much, but when he did, he got results for Zimbabwe. He made up for his lack of lethal pace with good control and moving the ball in the air and off the surface. The combination made him an economical bowler with a knack for taking important wickets.

Whittall produced his best performance in December 1996, when he bagged his second of three four-wicket hauls against England. He took 4/18 as he helped his side clinch a draw. He finished his nine-year Test career with 51 wickets in 52 innings.

8. Andy Blignaut, 53 wickets

Zimbabwe has had numerous players whose international careers came to an end before they reached their peak. Andy Blignaut is one such player. He spent a tumultuous time under the employment of Zimbabwe Cricket. His on-field performances were hampered by perpetual disputes between players and administrators over numerous issues that included payments.

The batting all-rounder debuted in 2001 and left the international arena in 2005. In that period, he took 53 wickets in 30 innings. He bagged three five-wicket hauls and produced his best bowling innings in his maiden Test appearance, bagging 5/73 against Bangladesh.

His final Test was Zimbabwe’s last for the next six years. Things had gotten so bad that the country couldn’t sustain first-class cricket.

Andy Blignaut finished his career with 53 wickets in 30 innings, 53 wickets.

7. Blessing Muzarabani, 54 wickets

Muzarabani is arguably Zimbabwe’s all-time best pacer. The 28-year-old was given his first big break by former Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu, who signed him to his Rising Stars club and took him on a five-match tour to the UK in 2017. Muzarabani impressed so much that it wasn’t long before he was drafted into the national team.

Muzarabani took a break from international cricket when he signed a Kolpak contract with Nottinghamshire. His stay with the county was cut short by Brexit. When he returned to Zimbabwe, he picked up from where he had left off, almost single-handedly carrying the Zimbabwe bowling attack on his back.

His average of 23.27 is the best of any Zimbabwean bowler with 10 or more Test wickets. He has taken 54 wickets in 20 innings, with three five-wicket hauls to his name.

6. Bryan Strang, 56 wickets

According to legend, Strang was once called the most boring bowler who grew frustrated by the left-arm medium pacer’s deliveries. Strang stuck to a line on off-stump with his military medium pacers.

Strang produced his best performance with the ball when he bagged 5/101 against South Africa in October 1995. That was his one and only five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Strang did not have a long international career because of his frequent clashes with administrators, who then barred him from representing Zimbabwe on political grounds.

He took 56 wickets in 44 innings in his six-year-long Test career.

5. Graeme Cremer, 57 wickets

Cremer produced one of the best performances by a Zimbabwean bowler when he bagged nine wickets in a one-off Test against Sri Lanka in 2017. He recorded his best bowling figures in an innings, 5/125, and his best bowling figures in a match, 9/275, in that encounter.

His international career was in two parts. He played six Tests in 2005, which were followed by a seven-year drought because Zimbabwe wasn’t playing Test cricket. He picked up international cricket again from 2012 to 2017. The former Zimbabwe captain finished with 57 wickets in 27 innings, with a single five-wicket haul to his name.

4. Henry Olonga, 68 wickets

Henry Olonga broke the colour barrier for Zimbabwe. He was the first black cricketer to represent Zimbabwe in international cricket. Then he also became the first black cricketer to speak out against Robert Mugabe’s government in 2003, when he and Andy Flower staged a protest during the 2003 World Cup. That move ended his international career.

Olonga burst onto the international scene as a tearaway fast bowler, then he was reported for throwing. He rebuilt his action from the ground up, but was never as fast as before. Olonga made his mark when he dismissed Nayan Monga, Navjot Sidhu, Mohammad Azharuddin, Sourav Ganguly, and Robin Singh to record his maiden five-wicket haul in 1998.

He finished that match with his best bowling figures in a match, 5/70. He registered his second five-wicket haul four years later when he bagged 5/93 against Pakistan. Olonga took 68 wickets in 47 innings during his seven-year international career.

3 Paul Strang, 70 wickets

Strang produced his finest Test cricket performance when he recorded a match double of a century and a five-wicket haul in a single Test against Pakistan in 1998. Strang used his repertoire of deliveries: regular legbreaks, googlies, topspinners and flippers, to bag 5/212. The five-wicket haul came on the back of an unbeaten 106 in Zimbabwe’s first innings.

Strang could have gone on to claim more victims had his career not been cut short by a chronic muscular injury in his bowling hand. He played from 1994 to 2001 and claimed 70 wickets in 38 innings. He was one of only three Zimbabwean bowlers with a five-wicket haul to their name; the other two are Ray Price and Adam Huckle.

2. Ray Price, 80 wickets

Price picked up the baton from Paul Strang and went on to become Zimbabwe’s most successful spinner. The left-arm spinner had a knack for taking five-wicket hauls in clumps. He bagged two consecutive five-wicket hauls in 2001 and 2002 against India and South Africa.

Then in 2003, he took three five-wicket hauls in a row against Australia and the West Indies in an outstanding run of Test cricket form. Price featured for Zimbabwe from 1999 to 2013, with a hiatus between 2005 and 2011 when Zimbabwe did not play Test cricket. He took 80 wickets in 35 innings, with five five-wicket hauls to his name.

1. Heath Streak, 216 wickets

Heath Streak might be the second-best cricketer Zimbabwe has produced, marginally trailing the incredible Andy Flower. The all-rounder gave his all for his nation as a player and then as a coach after his retirement.

Streak announced himself to the world with a five-wicket haul in his second Test match in December 1993. He was 19 at the time. He took six more five-wicket hauls over the next 12 years on his way to becoming Zimbabwe’s leading wicket-taker with a tally of 216 wickets in 102 innings. He is one of four Zimbabwean bowlers with 30 or more Test wickets with an average below 30. He averaged 28.14.

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Herschelle Gibbs: You can’t compare Australia’s current bowling attack with Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie, Brett Lee

Herschelle Gibbs is South Africa’s sixth-highest run-scorer in Test cricket. He scored 14 Test centuries between 1996 and 2008.

Three were against England and three against the West Indies. Gibbs’ only Test century against Australia came at Kingsmead in Durban in 2002, when the opposition bowling attack comprise fast bowlers Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee – and leg-spinner Shane Warne. Warne, McGrath, Lee and Gillespie shared 1,840 Test wickets.

Australia’s bowling attack for the World Test Championship final defeat to South Africa earlier this month included fast bowlers Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc – and Nathan Lyon. Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc and Lyon have shared 1,522 Test wickets.

“I will put my head on the block and say you obviously can’t really compare this bowling attack with when Australia had Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee. The four of them together almost took 2,000 Test wickets. Australia had teams led by Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting – you won’t see the likes of those teams again. It was a privilege to play against those great Australians,” Gibbs told Cricket365, via 10bet.

Victory over Australia at Lord’s brought South Africa’s first International Cricket Council title since winning the Champions Trophy in 1998. They have lost five Champions Trophy semi-finals and five Cricket World Cup semi-finals. Last year, South Africa lost the T20 World Cup final.

“Winning this one-off World Test Championship final probably isn’t as big as winning a World Cup. It can’t be because a World Cup is a World Cup. The World Cup happens ever four years, while the WTC is over a two-year cycle. Winning a World Cup would be really special. We have obviously come close, but we are not there yet. That’s all I wanted when I played – to win a World Cup,” added Gibbs.

Also read: Nathan Lyon vs Shane Warne, Stuart Broad vs James Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin vs Anil Kumble – who was fastest to 500 Test wickets?

“And things have changed since – Graeme Smith, remember, held the Test mace. Years down the line, being number one back then has evolved into needing to win the World Test Championship final now. We have effectively reclaimed the mace.  It is a fantastic win for the lads and hopefully it will lead to them getting more Test cricket in the future. You can’t have so many nations playing so few Tests over long periods.”

Gibbs praised captain Temba Bavuma, who was among South Africa’s leading run-scorers in Test cricket in 2023 and 2024 – and hit 36 and 66 in last week’s five-wicket win over Australia. Bavuma has collected four centuries in 110 Test innings. He has never lost a Test as captain. He has won nine and drawn one.

“He has done the hard yards over the last three years or so. I must give him credit. He has been a lot more consistent than he was in previous years. I must give credit where it is due,” concluded Gibbs.

“Top-order batsmen need to score centuries – that’s the benchmark with regards to how good you really are. My opinion on that won’t change. But, like I said, Temba has led by example with important runs  – I will give him that. He has been our leading run-scorer in Test cricket and I have to give him credit for that, definitely.

“As a captain, he has used what he has over the last few years really well. His decision, at times, has been fine. A lot of time he has made a change and it has worked. His reading of the game has been pretty good. He must definitely get credit for that.”

Gibbs spoke to Cricket365 on behalf of 10bet. For further information, visit: https://ift.tt/Vl1DWR5.

Read next: Which 7 bowlers reached 50 Test wickets the fastest among left-arm seamers? Top spot isn’t as predictable as you’d think

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Listing every full or format retirement in international cricket in 2025 – Angelo Mathews is the next to go

The year is barely halfway through, and we have already witnessed a wave of high-profile retirements.

Some of the most celebrated names in modern cricket have left the international stage.

Here’s our list tracking these recently retired players and celebrating their contributions to the game.

1. Nicholas Pooran (West Indies)

Retirement: All internationals – June 9, 2025

At just 29, Pooran stunned fans by announcing his retirement from all international cricket.

T20Is: 106 matches, 2,275 runs at a strike rate of over 145, 149 sixes

West Indies’ highest T20I run scorer, ahead of Chris Gayle.

ODIs: 61 matches, 1,782 runs, including 3 centuries

Captained the West Indies in white-ball formats and was a key figure during their T20 rebuilding phase.

His early exit reflects the shift toward franchise cricket, where he continues to thrive as MI New York captain in Major League Cricket and a valuable IPL asset.

2. Heinrich Klaasen (South Africa)

Retirement: ODI & T20I – June 2, 2025 (Test career ended in 2024)

Known for his brutal power-hitting and clean glove work, Klaasen was among South Africa’s premier white-ball finishers.

ODIs: 60 matches, 1,638 runs at 41.97, strike rate of 117.

T20Is: 58 matches, 1,153 runs, strike rate 147

He played a pivotal role in SA’s rise in T20 cricket and will now continue in leagues worldwide, notably the IPL and SA20.

3. Steven Smith (Australia)

Retirement: ODI cricket – 2025

One of the modern game’s batting greats, Smith ended his ODI career after a decade of excellence.

ODIs: 170 matches, 5,800 runs at 43.28, 12 centuries

Played key roles in Australia’s 2015 and 2023 World Cup campaigns

Smith continues to play in Tests, where he remains among the top 10 all-time run-scorers for Australia.

4. Glenn Maxwell (Australia)

Retirement: ODI cricket – 2025

Maxwell, who is known for his showmanship and for redefining the role of a finisher, retired from ODIs shortly after the 2025 Champions Trophy.

ODIs: 149 matches, 3,990 runs at a strike rate over 125, 77 wickets

Produced one of ODI cricket’s greatest innings with a 201* vs Afghanistan in 2023

His explosive style and off-spin continue to make him a T20 asset globally.

5. Marcus Stoinis (Australia)

Retirement: ODI cricket – 2025

The muscular all-rounder was integral to Australia’s white-ball setup through the 2020s playing key roles with both bat and ball.

ODIs: 71 matches, 1,495 runs, 48 wickets

Key figure in Australia’s 2023 World Cup win, especially with his ability to break partnerships and accelerate late in innings

He remains active in T20 leagues including the BBL, IPL, SA20 and ILT20.

6. Virat Kohli (India)

Retirement: Test cricket – May 12, 2025

Kohli, one of the greatest batters of the 21st century, ended a monumental Test career just short of 10,000 runs.

Tests: 113 matches, 9,202 runs at 49.30, 29 centuries

Captained India in 68 Tests, with a win percentage of nearly 59%

His intensity and passion redefined India’s red-ball identity, especially overseas.

7. Rohit Sharma (India)

Retirement: Test cricket – 2025

India’s charismatic opener and Test captain called time after guiding a transitional team through tough WTC cycles.

Tests: 61 matches, 4,173 runs at 45.06, 12 centuries

Excelled at home and abroad following his post-2019 reinvention as an opener

Also captained India to the 2023 ODI World Cup final and 2024 T20 World Cup win, cementing his leadership legacy.

8. Dimuth Karunaratne (Sri Lanka)

Retirement: All formats – February 2025

One of Sri Lanka’s most dependable red-ball openers retired after reaching the milestone of 100 Tests.

Tests: 100 matches, 7,172 runs at 39.27, 14 centuries

Captained Sri Lanka from 2019–2023, including an away series win in South Africa.

Karunaratne’s gritty, old-school style earned him comparisons to Mahela Jayawardene and Upal Tharanga in temperament and poise.

9. Martin Guptill (New Zealand)

Retirement: All formats – January 8, 2025

One of the Black Caps’ most successful white-ball batters, Guptill’s final act closed a glorious chapter.

ODIs: 198 matches, 7,346 runs at 41.73, 18 centuries

Scored a World Cup-record 237* vs West Indies in 2015

Played 122 T20Is, amassing over 3,500 runs

His clean striking and consistency made him a fan-favourite across formats.

10. Wriddhiman Saha (India)

Retirement: All formats – 2025

India’s long-serving red-ball wicketkeeper finally bid adieu after years of service behind MS Dhoni and Rishabh Pant.

Tests: 40 matches, 1,353 runs at 29.41, 6 fifties

Known for superb glove work, especially on turning tracks

A mentor figure in recent years, Saha is likely to stay connected to Indian cricket through coaching or IPL roles.

11. Piyush Chawla (India)

Retirement: All formats – 2025

A veteran leg-spinner and part of India’s 2007 T20 World Cup and 2011 ODI World Cup-winning squads.

ODIs: 25 wickets in 21 matches

Tests: 3 matches, best figures 4/69

Though he never nailed down a long-term international spot, Chawla was prolific in domestic cricket and key in the IPL for CSK, KKR, and MI.

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Who are the only 2 left-arm seamers and 1 off-spinner among these 11 bowlers to reach 300 ODI wickets the fastest?

Three hundred wickets in ODI cricket is not an easy feat to achieve.

According to our statistical analysis, only 14 batters have reached the milestone since the inception of the format.

Below, we look at the cricketers who took the least number of matches to get to the landmark.

11. Chaminda Vaas – 235 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Vaas was the most incisive bowler Sri Lanka produced in 50-over cricket. The left-arm seamer finished his career with exactly 400 ODI wickets. The Sri Lanka star underlined his credentials by taking his 300th ODI wicket in style.

His 300th scalp was one of four wickets he bagged while facing Zimbabwe in Harare in August 2004. Vaas toppled Zimbabwe’s batting order, taking 4/11 in nine overs in his 235th ODI match on his way to 300.

10. Anil Kumble – 234 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Kumble took a single wicket on his debut. He dismissed the Sri Lankan lower-order batter, Uvais Karnain, in his maiden 50-over match in April 1990. He registered his 300th victim 12 years later, when he accounted for Marlon Samuels’ wicket. As in the beginning, Samuels was the only batter he dismissed in that match.

9. Shakib Al Hasan – 227 matches for 300 ODI wickets

No other player has been as influential for Bangladesh as Shakib. The all-rounder has single-handedly won matches for his country with bat or ball and sometimes with both. That is what he did on the day he took his 300th wicket; he scored an outstanding 75 off 71 balls and took a four-wicket haul against England in March 2023.

Shakib dismissed Rehan Ahmed in his 227th ODI match to reach the milestone.

8. Javagal Srinath – 219 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Many considered Srinath as one of India’s fastest bowlers when he arrived in international cricket. The seamer blew away batting lineups with his pace and was India’s leading wicket-taker in Tests at one point.

Srinath took more four-wicket hauls than he did five-wicket hauls in 50-over cricket. He finished his career with seven four-wicket hauls and only three five-fers. He took his 300th ODI wicket with one of his four-fers. The pacer took 4/30 against the Netherlands in 2003 to reach the milestone.

7. Shaun Pollock – 217 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the most prolific run-getters in ODIs, and to take his wicket to register a milestone should feel good for anyone. The Sri Lankan opener was Shaun Pollock’s 300th victim. The South African seamer dismissed Jayasuriya in his 217th match when South Africa crossed swords with Sri Lanka in 2004.

6. Wasim Akram – 209 matches for 300 ODI wickets

The Sultan of Swing, as Wasim Akram was known, pioneered the era of conventional and reverse swing. He was lethal with both the old and new ball. When he bagged his 300th wicket, Akram did the damage with the new ball. He pinned Dave Houghton lbw before the Zimbabwean could inflict damage with the bat.

The scalp came in October 1996, 11 years after Akram’s debut 50-over match.

5. Lasith Malinga – 203 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Malinga had a toe-crunching yorker, a deceptive slower ball, and a menacing bouncer. His round-arm action made his deliveries harder to read, and that added to his incisiveness as a bowler. The Sri Lankan retired as one of the most lethal bowlers in 50-over cricket.

However, despite all the skills in his armoury, his 300th wicket wasn’t from a particularly impressive delivery. It was full and wide, and was somehow good enough to get Virat Kohli to mistime his drive to a fielder. Milestone wickets don’t get better than Kohli. The wicket came in his 203rd match, when Sri Lanka faced India in 2017.

4. Muttiah Muralitharan – 202 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Sanath Jayasuriya and Aravinda de Silva stole the show with the bat when Sri Lanka faced England in Australia for the VB Series in 2003. Jayasuriya made a 100 and De Silva a half-century to set Sri Lanka up for victory.

After England came out to bat, Muralitharan toiled without reward for 9.1 overs. The legendary spinner eventually bagged his only wicket of the match with his 56th delivery of the day. He dismissed James Anderson in his 202nd ODI outing.

3. Glenn McGrath – 200 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Australia has produced some of the greatest fast bowlers ever in the game. One of them was Glenn McGrath, the best fast bowler of his era. The Australian went wicketless in his debut ODI match as a 23-year-old. Eleven years later, he was older, wiser, and more lethal.

In his 200th match, McGrath combined with Brett Lee to disrupt Pakistan’s top order. He dismissed the opener, Kamran Akmal, to mark his 299th wicket, and then became the eighth bowler to collect 300 when he accounted for Pakistan’s number three batter, Mohammad Hafeez. McGrath finished that match with 3/34. Naved-ul-Hasan was his third victim.

2. Waqar Younis – 186 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Younis and Wasim Akram created an incredible fast-bowling duo. The two pushed each other to be better. Younis’ prodigious late inswingers authored the downfall of many batters, both in Tests and ODI cricket. The pacer targeted the stumps more often than not, and that is how he dismissed his 300th victim.

Younis trapped Nell McKenzie lbw early in the innings when Pakistan crossed swords with South Africa in 2000. It was his 186th 50-over outing. He is one of two bowlers to reach the milestone in less than 200 ODI appearances.

1. Brett Lee – 171 matches for 300 ODI wickets

Eight years and 172 days. That is how long it took Brett Lee to reach 300 ODI wickets. The only thing faster than Lee to the milestone was his bowling. The Australian was an exponent of extreme speed and could reach 160kmh. He shook batters with vicious short balls and unplayable yorkers.

However, he didn’t reach the milestone with his trademark quick deliveries. Lee undid Daren Sammy with a slower ball that the West Indies lower-order batter misread and miscued to offer an easy catch, which Lee took himself in the mid-off region. The wicket came in Jun 2008, in Lee’s 171st ODI appearance.

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George Munsey rapidly climbing this top 9 list of leading ODI run-scorers for Scotland

Scotland’s journey in ODI cricket has been shaped by a core of impactful batters over the years, who have helped define the team’s identity.

George Munsey smashed a record score of 191 in one-day cricket for Scotland against the Netherlands in June, proof that the nation is becoming a more dangerous force in international cricket year on year.

Scotland has struck a perfect balance of big-boundary hitters to canny batters with the temperament to score against the best bowling attack in the world.

Landmarks like their new highest individual score are a reflection of how far they’ve come in bridging the gaps between the historically successful cricketing nations.

Scotland haven’t featured in an ICC ODI World Cup since 2015 but rank just five places below England in the ICC World Rankings, with their team performances well and truly on the up.

Let’s take a look at the 9 batters who have led the way with the most ODI runs for Scotland…

9. Preston Mommsen – 1,115 runs ODI runs for Scotland

Mommsen averaged 30.97 across 44 matches in his seven-year ODI career, with a highest score of 139 not out.

His two centuries, six fifties, and focus in the middle order from 2010 to 2017 underlined his reliability in important years of Scotland’s ODI revolution.

8. Brandon McMullen – 1,175 runs ODI runs for Scotland

McMullen averages 43.51, the highest of any batter on this list, and has already racked up four centuries since his debut in 2022.

A high score of 151 and a strike rate of 87.94 show his ability to play a role as either the aggressor or the anchor in Scotland’s ODI innings.

7. Gavin Hamilton – 1,231 runs in ODIs for Scotland

Hamilton scored at 35.17 across 38 innings, with two centuries and seven fifties for his nation between 1999 and 2010.

He high-scored with an impressive knock of 119 and was a bedrock for Scotland in finding early consistency in ODI cricket, hitting 95 fours and 11 sixes along the way. Hamilton was brutal and has a knack for punishing loose deliveries.

Also read: Nathan Lyon vs Shane Warne, Stuart Broad vs James Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin vs Anil Kumble – who was fastest to 500 Test wickets?

6. Michael Leask – 1,535 runs ODI runs for Scotland

Leask is one of the most explosive batters on the list with a dominant strike rate of 113.53 as well as 68 sixes and 119 fours from his debut in 2014.

He has one century, eight fifties and an unbeaten top score of 107, frequently lifting Scotland late in their innings.

5. Matthew Cross – 2,215 runs ODI runs for Scotland

Cross has racked up 2215 runs at an average of 23.56 with a highest score of 114 and a strike rate of 71.79, and has featured in several positions in the batting order.

His ODI career started in 2014 with 11 fifties and two centuries to date.

4. George Munsey – 2,487 runs ODI runs for Scotland

Munsey made history with a stunning 191, Scotland’s highest ever ODI individual score, in 2025 against the Netherlands.

The knock only added to his already impressive credentials since his debut in 2017: a 42.87 average, strike rate of 89.10 and 73 sixes with three centuries and 16 fifties opening the batting.

3. Calum MacLeod – 3,026 runs ODI runs for Scotland

MacLeod combined a strong average with volume, scoring 10 centuries and 13 fifties from 2008 to 2o22 with a highest score of 175.

He could accelerate while playing long, meaningful innings across all phases of the 50-over game.

2. Kyle Coetzer – 3,192 runs ODI runs for Scotland

Coetzer was one of Scotland’s most consistent top-order players, averaging 38.92 with a memorable best innings of 156 against Bangladesh.

He’s racked up five hundreds, 21 fifties and 412 fours – the most by a batter in Scotland ODI history.

1. Richie Berrington – 3,536 runs in ODIs for Scotland

Scotland’s leading run-scorer in ODIs, Berrington, has averaged 33.35 in his long international career, which began in 2008.

Six centuries, 20 fifties and 127 against the UAE in 2023 highlight his credentials – but his 83 sixes place him as the leading maximum hitter in Scottish ODIs.

Read next: Which 7 bowlers reached 50 Test wickets the fastest among left-arm seamers? Top spot isn’t as predictable as you’d think

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Is the Lord’s slope cricket’s longest standing excuse? 7 facts to suggest it might be

Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is known as the ‘Home of Cricket’ and is arguably the most iconic cricket ground in the world.

It was opened in 1814 and is rich with history as home to the Marylebone Cricket Club, Middlesex CCC and of course England Cricket.

When we talk about Lord’s, memories of iconic Test cricket matches and its heritage come into our conversations.

But it’s the famous Lord’s ‘slope’ that draws great mystery with countless myths and tales about the impact of the storied gradient.

Cricket365 answers 7 frequently asked questions about the ‘slope’ as we debunk the myths and sort the facts from the fiction.

Here are 7 FAQs about the Lord’s slope.

1. What is the famous slope at Lord’s – and how steep is it?

When you hear commentators talk about the Lord’s slope at the Home of Cricket, they are referring to a distinguishable gradient running from the Pavilion end all the way to the Nursery end.

The slope drops around 2.5 metres (8″2) across the field of play, with the change in elevation being a unique feature of the ground since its inception.

2. Was the Lord’s slope intentional – or did they work with what they had?

The short answer is that the Lord’s slope was completely accidental.

The ground is historic, built over two centuries ago in 1814 on land in St John’s Wood, London – the land had a natural slope.

Instead of levelling the land, Thomas Lord worked with the terrain to create the cornerstones of the iconic pitch we see today.

3. Have they ever considered flattening the Lord’s slope?

While there have been debates looking into the benefits of a more modern playing field at the venue, there have been no serious proposals with the tradition and heritage of the venue universally appreciated.

The process of levelling the surface would require a serious rebuild and halt Test cricket at the ground for years.

Also read: Nathan Lyon vs Shane Warne, Stuart Broad vs James Anderson, Ravichandran Ashwin vs Anil Kumble – who was fastest to 500 Test wickets?

4. How do batters cope with the Lord’s slope?

Put simply, the pressure of Test cricket means they have little time to adapt and just have to get on with it while adjusting to the slope.

Many ask for a middle stump guard to counteract the subtle visual change the slope provides. Playing the ball late, under their eyes, as well as micro changes in their forward strides, all help mitigate its impact in England.

5. Does the Lord’s slope help or hinder bowlers?

While many believe it’s perfect for one bowler going down the hill and a struggle for the other coming up, bowlers gain advantages at both ends.

The angle from the Pavilion End can help the ball nip back fiercely into right-handers – a quirk India‘s Jasprit Bumrah always looks to benefit from.

While at the Nursery End, it tends to move away and offers a different challenge to the batters.

6. What about swing – does the Lord’s slope influence movement?

Again, many believe the Pavilion End offers more swing to the bowlers, but this isn’t always the case.

Swing is determined by the condition of the ball, weather and the bowler’s action.

The slope’s primary impact is actually seam movement off the pitch, with the slope making the bowlers’ natural angle even more severe with bigger deviation and bounce.

7. Is the Lord’s slope cricket’s longest standing excuse?

Tune into coverage of a Test match at Lord’s Cricket Ground and it’s guaranteed to have regular references to the Lord’s slope.

Players often use the gradient as an excuse for misfields, overthrows and missed run-outs, with one commentator once claiming the slope ‘pulled’ a ball over the boundary.

Of course it didn’t.

Read next: Which 7 bowlers reached 50 Test wickets the fastest among left-arm seamers? Top spot isn’t as predictable as you’d think

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