James Anderson’s Double Century Of Wickets In Tests

James Anderson became England’s 13th and 58th bowler overall to take 200 wickets in Test cricket.

The right-arm fast-medium from Burnley, Lancashire, achieved his feat, in his 55th Test match, by dismissing Peter Siddle, caught by Paul Collingwood on the third day of the third Ashes Test match at Western Australia Cricket Association Ground, Perth on Saturday (December 18).

** England need 391 runs to win the Test match as well as Ashes. Of the 10 previous occasions that Australia have set a target over 300 at Perth, they have gone on to win on seven occasions and drawn twice. The only loss came against South Africa in 2008. The highest successful fourth innings run chase at the WACA ground was made by South Africa when they reached a victory target of 414 to win by six wickets in December 2008. The impossible victory in Perth for England would see them take the Ashes home for the first time since Mike Gatting’s team defeated Australia 2-1 in 1986-87.

** Shane Watson’s 95 was the fourth time he has fallen in the nineties in his career. He has two centuries and 14 fifties in 45 innings of 25 Test matches.

** The 113 run partnership between Michael Hussey and Shane Watson was the third century stand for the fourth wicket for Australia against England in Test matches at Perth.

** Michael Hussey’s century (116) was his second of the series and the 13th in the 99 innings of 57 Test matches. He averages almost 61 in home Tests but just over 39 in away Tests. The left hand batsman from Mt Lawley, Perth also crossed the 500-run mark for the first time in a series.

** In 11 innings since June 2010, Kevin Pietersen has scored 477 runs with one century and two fifties. He has scored less than 10 in five of these innings.

** Chris Tremlett recorded his best bowling performance in Test cricket by taking five for 87 in 24 overs. It was his first five-wicket haul in eighth innings of four Test matches. His previous best bowling was three for 12 against India at Nottingham in 2007.

India’s second South Africa Tour ub 1996-97

INDIA’S SECOND SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR IN 1996-97:

India under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni will play three Tests and five one day internationals during their fifth South African tour which start from December 16. India first toured South Africa in 1992-93 under Mohammed Azhaurddin and lost the three- Test series 1-0.

SECOND TOUR:

India toured South Africa for the second time under the leadership of Sachin Tendulkar in 1996-97 and lost the three-Test series 2-0. They lost first two matches of the series while third and final Test ended in a draw. Hansie Cronje led the home team in this series.

In the first Test match at Durban, on a hard, well-grassed pitch, India were dismissed twice in space of 72.3 overs. Their second innings total of 66 being then the lowest by any side against South Africa. It is now second lowest total after Zimbabwe’s 54 at Cape Town in 2004-05. By taking 10 for 153 Venkatesh Prasad became the first Indian bowler to take 10 wickets in a match against South Africa.

Centuries from Gary Kirsten (103), Brian McMillan (103 not out) and Lance Klusener (102 not out) helped South Africa amassed their highest total (529 for 7 declared) at Cape Town. Playing in his 33rd Test match, Dave Richardson uniquely gained his first stumping after holding 119 catches. The attendance of 74,577, plus President Nelson Mandela on the third day, was a record for this stadium.

A combination of Daryll Cullinan’s undefeated hundred and the loss of 21 overs to rain and Stygian gloom prevented India from gaining their first victory in South Africa setting the hosts 356 runs from 95 overs. Overnight storms shed five inches of rain and delayed the third day’s start until after lunch.

India lost the final match to hosts South Africa in the three-nation Standard Bank International Series. Zimbabwe was the third team in this competition.

THE SCORES:

** Played at Durban on December 26,27,28, 1996

Toss: India

South Africa: 235 (Andrew Hudson 80, Venkatesh Prasad five for 60) and 259 (Adam Bacher 55, Andrew Hudson 52, Brian McMillan 51 not out, Venkatesh Prasad five for 93)

India: 100 (Allan Donald five for 40) and 66 (Rahul Dravid 27 not out, Allan Donald four for 14)

Result: South African won by 328 runs

Man of the Match: Andrew Hudson

** Played at Cape Town on January 2,3,4,5,6,1997

Toss: South Africa

South Africa: 529-7 declared (Brian McMillan 103 not out, Gary Kirsten 103, Lance Klusener 102 not out ) and 256-6 declared (Brian McMillan 59 not out, Andrew Hudson 55, Daryll Cullinan 55)

India: 359 (Sachin Tendulkar 169, Mohammed Azharuddin 115) and 144 (V.V.S.Laxman 35 not out)

Result: South Africa won by 282 runs

Man of the Match: Brian McMillan

** Played at Johannesburg on January 16,17,18,19,20,1 997

Toss: India

India: 410 (Rahul Dravid 148, Sourav Ganguly 73) and 266 (Rahul Dravid 81, Sourav Ganguly 60, Nayan Mongia 50)

South Africa: 321 (Shaun Pollock 79, Javagal Srinath five for 104) and 228 for 8 (Daryll Cullinan 122 not out)

Result: Match Drawn

Man of the Match: Rahul Dravid

India’s first South African Tour in 1992-93

INDIA’S FIRST SOUTH AFRICAN TOUR IN 1992-93:

FIRST TOUR IN 1992-93:

India first toured South Africa under the leadership of Mohammed Azharuddin in 1992-93 and lost the four-Test series 1-0. India’s only defeated in the series came in the third Test match at Port Elizabeth. Kepler Wessels led the home team in this series.

South Africa’s first home Test match in 22 years at Durban, Jimmy Cook (39) having waited two decades for an official Test cap and uniquely having played in all 19 unofficial Tests against rebel sides, edged a late out swinger to third slip to become the first debutant to be dismissed by the first ball of a Test match. Praveen Amre (103) became the 9th Indian batsman to score a hundred on debut. Kepler Wessels (118) became the first player to score hundreds for two different countries in Test. He also scored four hundreds in 24 Test matches for Australia before leading South Africa.

In the second Test match at Johannesburg Sachin Tendulkar became the youngest player to score 1000 runs. He was 19 years and 217 days old when reached this milestone during his 111-run knock

South Africa gained their first Test win since March 1970 by winning the third Test match at Port Elizabeth by nine wickets on the same ground. Dave Richardson set South African record of most dismissals in a match by taking nine catches in the match.

Five days produced a miserly 795 runs at 1.83 runs per over in the fourth and final Test match at Cape Town. Andrew Hudson equaled the South African record with four catches in an innings.

The home team also won the seven-one day international series 1-0.

THE SCORES:

** Played at Durban on November 13,14,15, 16 (no play), 17,1992

Toss: India

South Africa: 254 (Kepler Wessels 118) and 176-3 (Andrew Hudson 55)

India: 277 (Praveen Amre 103, Kiran More 55)

Result: Match Drawn

Man of the Match: Praveen Amre

** Played at Johannesburg on November 26,27,28,29,30,1992

Toss: South Africa

South Africa: 292 (Brian McMillan 98, Jonty Rhodes 91, Manoj Prabhakar four for 90) and 252 (Andrew Hudson 53, Dave Richardon 50, Anil Kumble six for 53)

India: 227 (Sachin Tendulkar 111, Brian McMillan four for 74) and 141 for four (Ajay Jadeja 43)

Result: Match Drawn

Man of the Match: Brian McMillan

** Played at Port Elizabeth on December 26,27,28,29,1992

Toss: South Africa

India: 212 (Mohammed Azharuddin 60, Allan Donald five for 55) and 215 (Kapil Dev 129, Allan Donald seven for 84)

South Africa: 275 (Hansie Cronje 135,Andrew Hudson 52) and 155 for one (Kepler Wessles 95 not out)

Result: South Africa won by nine wickets

Man of the Match: Allan Donald

** Played at Cape Town on January 2,3,4,5,6,1993

Toss: South Africa

South Africa:360-9 dec (Jonty Rhodes 86, Brian McMillan 52) and 130-6 dec (Javagal Srinath four for 33)

India: 276 (Sachin Tendulkar 73,Manoj Prabhakar 62) amd 29-1

Result: Match Drawn

Man of the Match: Javagal Srinath

Man of thr Series: Allan Donald

England Wins 100th Test Against Australia In Style

ENGLAND WINS 100TH TEST AGAINST AUSTRALIA IN STYLE:

England recorded their 100th victory against Australia in Tests by winning the second Ashes Test by an innings and 71 runs at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday (December 7).

England’s 100th victory over Australia came in the 323rd Test match. They have won 45 in 156 Test matches played at home while 55 wins recorded in 167 Test matches played in Australia. Australia, on the other hand, have won 132 Test matches against England.

England’s an innings and 71 runs victory was their first innings win in nearly 24 years. The last time they won by an innings in Australia was at Melbourne in 1986, when a first-innings total of 349 was enough to secure victory by an innings and 14 runs.

It was England’s sixth biggest win in Australia and 15th biggest overall. Only five times in their entire Ashes history England have achieved a more comprehensive innings victory in Australia. For Australia, it was their fourth innings defeat since 1990, and their third in a live series. And the last time they lost by an innings at the Adelaide Oval was 118 years ago, when England beat them by an innings and 230 runs. This was only their second innings defeat ever at this ground.

** Graeme Swann’s second-innings figures of five for 91 was the best by an England spinner in Adelaide since Derek Underwood’s seven for 113 in 1975. In fact, those are the only two instances of England spinners taking five-wicket haul at this ground since 1930. Of the five batsmen, this off-spinner has dismissed most often, four are left-handers. Graeme Swann’s overall average against left-handers is 21.86 while against the right-handers he averages 33.78.

** Michael Hussey (93 & 52) and Shane Watson (51 & 57), both scored fifties in each innings – the fourth time they’ve made 50-plus scores in each innings of a Test – but none of those knock were converted into hundreds.

ENGLAND’S BIGGEST WINS IN AUSTRALIA:
Margin                               Venue             Season
An innings & 230 runs Adelaide 1891-91
An innings & 225 runs Melbourne 1911-12
An innings & 124 runs Sydney 1901-02
An innings & 98 runs Melbourne 1884-85
An innings & 93 runs Sydney 1965-66
An innings & 71 runs Adelaide 2010-11
An innings & 29 runs Melbourne 1924-25
An innings & 27 runs Melbourne 1882-83
An innings & 22 runs Sydney 1936-37
An innings & 14 runs Melbourne 1986-87
An innings & 4 runs Melbourne 1974-75

AUSTRALIA’S INNINGS DEFEATS SINCE 1990:

Margin                               Opponent Venue Season
An innings & 219 runs India Kolkata 1997-98
An innings & 71 runs England Adelaide 2010-11
An innings & 25 runs West Indies Perth 1992-93
An innings & 20 runs South Africa Cape Town 2008-09

India’s biggest win over Kiwis in Tests

India recorded their biggest victory over New Zealand by winning the third and final Test match by an innings and 198 runs on the fourth day at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Jamtha, Nagpur on Tuesday (November 23).

It was India’s third biggest win in Test match cricket after an innings and 239 runs victory against Bangladesh at Mirpur, Dhaka in 2006-07 and an innings and 219 runs win over Australia at Kolkata in 1997-98.

India’s previous biggest win against New Zealand was an innings and 109 runs at Chennai in 1955-56.

The defeat was New Zealand’s fifth heaviest after an innings and 324 runs defeat against Pakistan at Lahore in 2001-02, an innings and 322 runs defeat against West Indies at Wellington in 1994-95 and an innings and 222 runs defeat against Australia at Hobart in 1993-94.

** With this win, Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team won the three Test series 1-0. It was India’s ninth series win in 17 series against New Zealand. India have not lost a single series since the 2-1 result in Sri Lanka in 2008.

** By dismissing New Zealand wicket-keeper Gareth Hopkins, Harbhajan Singh went past West Indian Malcolm Marshall’s tally of 376 wickets and is now 13th on the all-time list of Test wicket-takers. He has 258 wickets in home Tests, which puts him fifth on the list of bowlers with most wickets in home Tests. Sri Lankan Muttiah Muralitharan took 493 wickets in 73 Test matches at home while Shane Warne claimed 319 wickets in 69 Tests in Australia. The 350 of Anil Kumble’s 619 wickets came in 63 Test matches in India while Australia Glenn McGrath dismissed 289 batsmen in 66 Test matches at home.

** Chris Martin received maiden duck in seven innings of six Test matches against India. It was his 29th duck in 85th innings of 59th Test match. Only Courtney Walsh (West Indies-43 ducks in 185 innings of 132 Tests), Glenn McGrath (Australia-35 ducks in 138 innings of 124 Tests), Shane Warne (Austrlaia-34 ducks in 199 innings of 145 Tests) and Muttiah Muralitharan (Sri Lanka-33 ducks in 164 innings of 133 Tests) got more ducks than Chris Martin in Tests.

** Martin Guptill also received his maiden duck against India in nine innings of five Test matches. It was his third duck in 24 innings of 13 Test matches and first golden duck, out on the first ball.

** Suresh Raina recorded his best bowling performance in Tests by taking two wickets for one run in two overs. His previous best was two for 38 against the same opponent in the previous Test match at Hyderabad.

What is Ashes…..

The Ashes is named after a satirical obituary published in a British newspaper, The Sporting Times, in 1882 after a match at The Oval in which Australia beat England on an English ground for the first time. The obituary stated that English cricket had died, and the body will be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. The English media dubbed the next English tour to Australia (1882–83) as the quest to regain The Ashes.

During that tour a small terracotta urn was presented to England captain Ivo Bligh by a group of Melbourne women. The contents of the urn are reputed to be the ashes of an item of cricket equipment, possibly a bail, ball or stump. The Dowager Countess of Darnley claimed recently that her mother-in-law, Bligh’s wife Florence Morphy, said that they were the remains of a lady’s veil.

The urn is erroneously believed by some to be the trophy of the Ashes series, but it has never been formally adopted as such and Bligh always considered it to be a personal gift. Replicas of the urn are often held aloft by victorious teams as a symbol of their victory in an Ashes series, but the actual urn has never been presented or displayed as a trophy in this way. Whichever side holds the Ashes, the urn normally remains in the Marylebone Cricket Club Museum at Lord’s since being presented to the MCC by Bligh’s widow upon his death.

The first Ashes series was played in 1882-82 in Australia. England and Australia played nine Test matches before Ashes started.

Tanvir Ahmed’s Dream Debut In Tests

Tanvir Ahmed became the 10th Pakistani bowler to take five or more wickets on debut in Tests.

The right arm fast medium bowler, achieved this feat by taking six wicket for 120 runs in 28 overs on the second day of the second Test match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Sunday (November 21).

He also became the first Pakistani bowler to take five-wicket haul on debut against South Africa. Abdur Rehman’s four for 105 at Karachi in 2007-08 was the previous best by a Pakistani against South Africa on debut in Tests.

The other Pakistani bowlers to take five or more wickets on debut in Tests before him were Mohammad Zahid, Mohammad Nazir, Arif Butt, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed,Shahid Afridi,Shahid Nazir,Yasir Arafat and Wahab Riaz.

Tanvir Ahmed also became the sixth Pakistan bowler to take a wicket in very first over in Test cricket by dismissing South Africa opening batsman Alviro Petersen on the third ball on the opening day of the Test match The other Pakistani bowlers to take a wicket in their first over in Test cricket were Intikhab Alam (first ball), Shahid Nazir (fourth ball), Mohammed Sami (fifth ball), Fazl-e-Akbar (sixth ball) and Mohammed Aamer (sixth ball).

** Abraham de Villers recorded the highest individual score for South Africa against Pakistan by making an unbeaten 278 off 418 balls with 23 fours and six sixes. Herschelle Gibbs’ 228 at Cape Town in 2002-03 was the previous highest. Abraham de Villiers’ unbeaten 278 was the joint fourth highest score against Pakistan in Tests.

A Wicket In The Very First Over In Tests

Tanvir Ahmed became the sixth Pakistan bowler to take a wicket in very first over in Test cricket.

The right arm fast medium bowler, achieved this feat by dismissing South Africa opening batsman Alviro Petersen on the third ball on the opening day of the second Test match at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday (November 20).

The other Pakistani bowlers to take a wicket in their first over in Test cricket were Intikhab Alam (first ball), Shahid Nazir (fourth ball), Mohammed Sami (fifth ball), Fazl-e-Akbar (sixth ball) and Mohammed Aamer (sixth ball).

Tanvir Ahmed who made his debut after playing just 102 first class matches, took four wickets for 67 runs from 16 overs in South African first inning. His first wicket in Test cricket was his 400th in first class cricket.

Tanvir Ahmed, a month shy of his 32nd birthday, claimed 399 wickets at 28.20 in 102 first class matches before making his Test debut.

Born on December 20, 1978 at Kuwait City, Tanvir Ahmed shot to the limelight in domestic circles when he became the leading wicket-taker in 2009-10 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy with 85 wickets at an impressive average of 17.12. His contribution was more than valuable as it helped Karachi Blues lift the trophy for the eighth time. Since his debut in 1998-99, Tanvir has represented several Karachi teams and has also played for Sind and Baluchistan.

** Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium became the 103rd ground in the annals of Test cricket to host a Test match. This is the second ground in United Arab Emirates after Dubai International Stadium to host a Test match. The first Test match of the series was played at Dubai International Stadium which became 101st ground. The maiden first class match was played between Scotland and Kenya in the Intercontinental Cup that November 2004.

Zaheer Khan Joins 250-Wickets Club in Tests

Zaheer Khan became the fifth Indian and 33rd bowler overall to take 250 wicket or more wickets in Test cricket.

The left arm medium pacer from Shrirampur, Maharashtra, achieved this feat by bowling out Australian tail ender Ben Hilfenhaus on the fourth day of the first Test match at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali on Monday (October 4).

Zaheer Khan who made his Test debut against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2000, took nine years and 330 days to achieve this feat.

By reaching 250th wickets in his 73rd Test match, Zaheer Khan is the slowest among the Indian bowlers. Kapil Dev who claimed his 250th wicket in 65th Test match was the previous slowest for India.

The other Indian bowler to take 250 or more wickets before Zaheer Khan were Anil Kumble (619 wickets in 132 Tests), Kapil Dev (434 wickets in 131 Tests), Harbhajan Singh (362 wickets in 86 Tests) and Bishan Singh Bedi (266 wickets in 67 Tests).

Zaheer Khan took 86 wickets at 35.43 in 30 Test matches played at home while he claimed 164 wickets at 30.93 in 43 Test matches played outside India.

He claimed seven wickets for 87 runs against Bangladesh at Dhaka in 2009-10 which is best bowling performance in an innings of a Test match. His best bowling performance in a Test match also came in the same match when he took 10 wickets for 149 runs.

Mitchell Johnson’s Double In Tests:

Mitchell Johnson became the 90th Australian and 455th batsman overall to score 1000 runs in Test cricket.

The left hand lower order batsman from Townsville, Queensland reached this milestone during his 47-run knock on the second day of the first Test match against India at Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali on Saturday (October 2).

After scoring 1000 runs in the 50th innings of 37th Test match, Mitchell Johnson also completing a double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Test cricket. Besides scoring 1016 runs at 24.19, Mitchell Johnson also claimed 160 wickets at 28.70 by the end of the second day’s play. He became the 12th Australian and 52th all rounder overall to complete a double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in Tests.

** Shane Watson recorded his highest ever score in Test cricket by making 126 in 461 minutes off 338 balls with 10 fours surpassing the previous highest of an unbeaten 120 in 335 minutes off 220 balls with 10 fours and a six against Pakistan at Melbourne in 2009-10.

** The visitors were encouraged after they had blunted India’s bowlers and blossomed under Tim Paine’s guidance as he narrowly missed a maiden century in his third Test. The wicket-keeper batsman from Hobart, recorded his highest ever score in Test cricket by scoring 92 in 294 minutes off 196 balls with 12 fours. His previous highest was 47 in 113 minutes off 85 balls with three fours against Pakistan at Lord’s in 2010.

** Zaheer Khan claimed his 10th five-wicket haul in 132nd innings of 73rd Test match by taking five for 94 in 30 overs. It was his third five-wicket haul against Australia in 25 innings of 14 Test matches. Only three out of Zaheer Khan’s 10-five-wicket haul came at home in 55 innings of 30 Test matches.

** Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the second Indian wicket-keeper after Syed Kirmani (41 dismissals in 17 Test matches) and 25th wicket-keeper overall to dismiss 25 or more Australian batsmen behind the wickets. The Indian skipper achieved this feat by holding Mitchell Johnson off Zaheer Khan in the 16th innings of ninth Test match.

** The leg before dismissal of Gautam Gambhir was his fourth in nine innings of five Test matches against Australia. It was 17th time in

** The run-out dismissal of Ricky Ponting was only third in 42 innings of 24 Test matches against India. It was 17th time in 58 innings of 33 Test matches when Indian opener out in the such manner.

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