West Indies chased down a target of 250 to win at the weekend. Was this the highest successful chase in a T20 international? asked K Vishwanathan from India
West Indies hunted down India’s total of 249 in Ranchi at the weekend with nine balls to spare, mainly thanks to captain Shai Hope’s second century in the format.
West Indies hunted down India’s total of 249 in Ranchi at the weekend with nine balls to spare, mainly thanks to captain Shai Hope’s second century in the format.
But there has been one higher successful chase in all T20Is: South Africa made 259 for 4 to overhaul West Indies’ 258 in Centurion in 2023. For the full list of the highest second-innings totals in T20 internationals (including some that ended in defeat), click here.
Maddinson’s gap (nine years 284 days) is the second-longest for Australia. The only longer hiatus for them was by Bob Simpson, who went nine years and 305 days between caps: after retiring following the 1967-68 series against India in Australia, he was recalled in 1977-78 to captain the team in the wake of several defections to Kerry Packer’s World Series Cricket.
Nic Maddinson lasted 33 balls but was out for nought in Durban. Was this the longest duck in a Test? asked Jason Cowper from Australia
The unfortunate Nic Maddinson was dismissed by the 33rd ball he faced on his return to the Australian side in Durban last week. This would appear to be the longest duck for Australia in a Test, beating Mike Whitney’s 32 balls against England on his Test debut at Old Trafford in 1981. Paul Sheahan lasted 44 balls for 0 not out – so not a duck – against England at Lord’s in 1968.
The unfortunate Nic Maddinson was dismissed by the 33rd ball he faced on his return to the Australian side in Durban last week. This would appear to be the longest duck for Australia in a Test, beating Mike Whitney’s 32 balls against England on his Test debut at Old Trafford in 1981. Paul Sheahan lasted 44 balls for 0 not out – so not a duck – against England at Lord’s in 1968.
The longest Test duck by anyone is Geoff Allott’s epic 77-ball nought in 101 minutes for New Zealand against South Africa in Auckland in 1999. Note that there are many early Tests for which we do not have ball-by-ball details, but there are not thought to be any additions at the top end of the table.
Which Test cricketer was born in China, and which one in Japan? asked Lesley Johnstone from England
There has to be a spot of lateral thinking here, as no male Test cricketers have yet been born in China or Japan. But when you look at women’s Tests, two ladies fit the bill. Mollie Hide, who was born in Shanghai in 1913, played in the first-ever women’s Test (against Australia in Brisbane in 1934), and captained England from 1937 to 1954.
There has to be a spot of lateral thinking here, as no male Test cricketers have yet been born in China or Japan. But when you look at women’s Tests, two ladies fit the bill. Mollie Hide, who was born in Shanghai in 1913, played in the first-ever women’s Test (against Australia in Brisbane in 1934), and captained England from 1937 to 1954.
England’s current captain is Nat Sciver-Brunt, was born in Tokyo in 1992, while her mother Julia Longbottom was working in the diplomatic service there (she later became Britain’s ambassador to Japan).
Is it true that Michael Vaughan is related to the Tyldesleys? asked Keith Merrick from England
The former England captain turned commentator Michael Vaughan is indeed related to the famous Lancashire family of the early 20th century. Stylish batter Johnny Tyldesley won 31 England caps, and his younger brother Ernest Tyldesley 14. They remain the two highest scorers for Lancashire in first-class cricket: Ernest piled up 34,222 runs for them, and Johnny 31,949.
The former England captain turned commentator Michael Vaughan is indeed related to the famous Lancashire family of the early 20th century. Stylish batter Johnny Tyldesley won 31 England caps, and his younger brother Ernest Tyldesley 14. They remain the two highest scorers for Lancashire in first-class cricket: Ernest piled up 34,222 runs for them, and Johnny 31,949.
According to Geoff Wilde’s 2001 book on Ernest Tyldesley, Michael Vaughan is the great-grandson of Ada, the sister of Johnny and Ernest. The actress Catherine Tyldesley, who had a long-running role in Coronation Street among several other acting credits, is also a relation – she’s apparently Vaughan’s second cousin.
The unrelated Dick Tyldesley, a legspinner, also played for Lancashire and England (seven caps) around the same time as the brothers.
Shiva Jayaraman of ESPNcricinfo’s stats team helped with some of the above answers.