Ask The Spider #72

With Australia looking to make the highest successful run chase in Tests, I wondered what is the highest fourth inings score in all First-Class cricket?

This actually came in a Test match, although not a successful run chase. In the famed “timeless” Test at Durban in 1938-39, England had been set 696 to win, and at the end of the tenth day when the match was declared a draw, England were 654 for five wickets. The highest successful fourth innings total was 513 for nine, by Central Province vs Southern Province at Kandy in 2003-04.

Which batsman has the most triple centuries to his name?

This is yet another record held by the great Don Bradman, who scored six First-Class triple centuries. Three players are next in line with four:- Bill Ponsford, Walter Hammond and Graeme Hick.

What is the highest score on debut in First-Class cricket?

AA Muzumdar scored 260 for Bombay vs Haryana at Faridabad in 1993-94 – it remains his highest score to date. Eleven other batsmen scored a double century on debut, the most noteworthy perhaps being NF Callaway’s 207 for NSW vs Queensland in 1914-15 – it would remain Callaway’s only First-Class match, as he was killed in action in France in 1917.

Which player appeared in the most matches in his career?

Betweem 1898 and 1930 Wilfred Rhodes played in 1110 First-Class matches, appearing for England, MCC, Yorkshire, Europeans (in India) and Patiala.

Who has taken most wickets in his career?

The aforementioned Wilfred Rhodes took 4,204 wickets at 16.27, the only player ever to top 4,000 wickets in a career (to go with almost 40,000 runs at 30.81 and 765 catches.

Which batsman has scored most runs in a single day?

Brian Lara scored 390* on his way to the world record 501* for Warwickshire vs Durham at Birmingham in 1994.

It’s well-known that Don Bradman completed his career with a 95.14 First-Class average, but I was wondering who has the next best average?

Vijay Merchant averaged 71.64 over 150 First-Class matches.