One batsman outscoring the opponents (11 batsmen plus sundries) is a rare phenomenon. It has happened only a few times in the 138-year history of Test cricket.
But it has occurred three times this month alone.
In the recent Hobart Test, Australia’s Adam Voges (269 not out) outscored the West Indies (223 all out) in the first innings.
And his batting partner in Australia’s only innings, Shaun Marsh (182), scored more runs than the Windies total of 148 in the second.
The fourth wicket stand of 449 runs between Voges and Marsh was 78 runs more than the Windies total 371 in both the innings.
A week earlier in the Delhi Test, India’s Ajinkya Rahane (127 runs) outscored number one ranked South Africa (121) in the first innings.
Similarly, in the January 2012 Sydney Test, Australia’s Michael Clarke (329 not out) defeated India (191) off his own bat.
More remarkable is Australia’s opening batsman Justin Langer’s feat.
In the 2004 Perth Test Langer became the first batsman to outscore an opposition in either innings of a Test. He scored 191 and 97 runs. Pakistan was all out for 179 and 72. This is a unique achievement in Test annals.
To rub salt to the wound, apart from Langer, Ricky Ponting (98) and Damien Martyn (100 not out) also outscored Pakistan (72) in the second innings of the above Perth Test as Australia was triumphant by 491 runs.
There have been at least five instances of a batsman scoring more runs in one innings than an opposing country in two innings put together in a Test match.
The first such instance was provided by England’s opening batsman Bobby Abel. In the 1888-89 Cape Town Test he outscored South Africa in both innings put together. Abel stroked 120 when South Africa could manage only 90 in two innings (47 and 43).
In the 1938 Oval Test in London, England’s opening batting maestro Len Hutton scored 364, then a Test record. Australia replied with 201 and 123, a total of 324 runs.
It may be added that Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton were injured in the above Test and did not bat in both innings.
Bradman scored 185 in the inaugural Brisbane Test against India in 1947. India responded with 58 and 98, a total of 156.
Similarly Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq (329) thrashed New Zealand (73 and 246; a total of 319 runs) in the Lahore Test of 2002.
Five months later Australia’s batting great Matthew Hayden (119) smashed Pakistan (59 and 53, a total of 112) to smithereens in the 2002 Sharjah Test.
Roarers are requested to add to this list in case I have missed out.
Will an Australian batsman outscore the hapless West Indians in both innings in the Boxing Day Test on the MCG to join the top five super batsmen mentioned above?
Hopefully the down-in-the-dumps visitors will turn the corner to appease the holiday crowd.
We need a calypso in the silly season, not a collapso!
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Then I'm going to have to show my ignorance. Who?. I do hope he has a lovely birthday.
ak
Roar Guru
Tomorrow is Rohan Kanhai’s 80th birthday. Expecting an article on the great West Indian.
JGK
Roar Guru
There was also the famous Hadlee match in 1984 where he scored 99 (which England failed to reach in either innings) and took a lazy 8 wickets.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Thank you Andy for the compliment. To me end is the beginning of life. All the very best to Roarers for the festive season and the New Year.
colvin
Guest
I think New Zealand got rolled by England for 26 about 60 years ago and about three or four years ago when Brendon took over as captain SA rolled the Black Caps for just over 40. I don't want to look at England's and SA's batting in those matches.
Andy
Guest
I am so hoping that this article first started because of your last line. You thought of that wonderful pun and knew you had to write an article that included it. I love it
lowthman
Guest
When Brian Lara got 400 in the west Indies only innings, he outscored England's first innings of 285
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Thank you Blades, Rustom Deboo, JGK, Tim Reynold and others for providing more instances of one batsman outscoring the opposite team. Only in Roar you can educate and get educated.
Rustom Deboo
Roar Guru
Hi Kersi, I would like to add an instance of two batsmen in the same innings, each outscoring both the opposition totals. This happened when Sri Lankans Marvan Atapattu (249) and Kumar Sangakkara (270) both outscored both of Zimbabwe's totals (228 and 231) at Bulawayo in 2003-04. Would be interesting to know if there is any other such instance. I reckon there might be a few where two sub-100 totals are involved.
Blades
Guest
Joe Root scoring 130 at Trent Bridge earlier this year. Over double the Australian first innings score of 60.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yeah - when I read the first para of this article, that Hayden effort was the first thing that came into my mind. Sadly, followed by Hutton's.
JGK
Roar Guru
A variation of this is the "Bat trick" where one batsman makes the two highest scores in a match - e.g.: Steve Waugh at Old Trafford in 1997.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Matthew Hayden's knock in Sharjah was remarkable because of the conditions - Pakistan were dismissed for a score that equalled the temperature.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Brian, Thanks for the Pup addition. Keep them coming, friends. Merry Christmas to all you cricket fans.
Tim Reynolds
Roar Pro
In the early years of Test cricket it was not a rare event for one batsman to outscore all of the opposition in an innings. Given the number of collapses on sticky wickets this was always a possibility. The interesting thing though in the following examples is that they were all achieved by Englishmen, in England and Australia. 1880, Oval: WG Grace, 152; Australia, 149 1886, Lord's: Shrewsbury, 164; Australia, 121 1886, Oval: WG Grace, 170; Australia, 68 1888, Sydney: Shrewsbury, 44; Australia, 42 1892, Adelaide: Stoddart, 134; Australia, 100 1893, Oval: FS Jackson, 103; Australia, 91 In the Sydney Test of 1892 there was the interesting example where a batsman on either side almost achieved the feat: Abel with 132, Australia 144 in the first innings; then Lyons with 134, England 156 in the second innings.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Thanks Kersi, really interesting article thank you - some dominating individual performances in that lot. Best wishes to you and your family for Xmas.
Brian
Guest
Clarke scored 151 in South Africa he not only outscored South Africa who replied with 96 but also combined with Australia's 2nd innings of 47. One batsman outscoring the opposition and then losing the match wouldn't happen often one would think.
Kersi Meher-Homji
Guest
Thank you, Sideline Comm., I'll add this to my list. Any more, Roarers? Now Hayden is the only one to make the list twice.
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Great article Kersi. I thought Mathew Hayden, when he scored 380 against Zimbabwe, might've been a chance to beat both totals, but looking at it they scored 239 and 321. While he didn't outscore their combined total, his first innings total was greater than both of their individual innings. That's still a pretty impressive achievement.
Griffo
Guest
This would be one of those Christmas miracles you hear about.