The Centurians
I’m not much of a one for statistics, I admit. To me, I’d rather just get on and enjoy the game, rather than worrying if the globally averaged strike-rate for the pink-reddy balls was more or less than creamy-whitey balls, and whether the highest 7th wicket partnership at Headingly was significant if the opposition team were all left handed. But some stats are worth mentioning. And at the moment, it’s all about players making their hundredth appearances. Shaun Pollock, Jacques Kallis (SA) and Stephen Fleming (NZ) will each appear in their 100th test match in the first test between SA and NZ on Saturday. Justin Langer reached the same milestone in the recent series between Australia and South Africa. If Flintoff plays in the final ODI in India, then he’ll be making his 100th ODI appearance.
Stats like these show why cricket is such a great game and why teams in the Southern Hemisphere are consistently the best in the world. I wonder how many members of the England football (soccer, for the Americans out there) squad could make such a claim. (Maybe I should ask my colleagues over at The Footie to find out for me..?).
For real stats, head over to CricInfo who have got the scoop on pretty much anything you could ever want to calculate.
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POSTED IN: Cricket
4 opinions for The Centurians
Martin
Apr 15, 2006 at 1:15 am
I like stats … but in moderation.
100 Tests is still a great achievement (although very slowly diminishing with time, imho).
Not sure about 100 ODI’s - they play so many of them it takes only a 3 or 4 years to reach.
Now 3 guys making their 100th appeareance in the same match … that mast be a first??
Matt
Apr 15, 2006 at 10:17 am
Actually, I agree with you about the 100 ODI’s that’s less of an achievement, but it just conincided nicely with the post.
I remember a few years ago when Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart played their hundredth test matches together - Atherton scored 20 odd whereas Stewart hit 100.
Considering that only 38 people have played 100 tests, I’m sure 3 at once is a milestone.
In fact, really article about test centurians, here.
Martin
Apr 16, 2006 at 10:14 am
Nice article.
What about Ricky Ponting’s 2 centuries in his 100th test. That’s not a bad feat.
Matt
Apr 16, 2006 at 1:13 pm
Pah, child’s play. Could do it with my eyes shut and arms cut off. ;)
No, you’re right, that was pretty special. Evidence of why he’s still the best bat in the world.
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