I should perhaps say “unique at the moment”, because there are three people who could yet join Bethell, having scored their maiden first-class hundred in a Test and first List A ton in an ODI – and none of them has yet scored a T20 century. They are Curtis Campher of Ireland and Bangladesh’s Mehidy Hasan, plus the England women’s player Maia Bouchier.
Which bowler has conceded the most runs in a single Test series? asked Nigel Harrison from England
It’s been quite a while, but the Australian legspinner Clarrie Grimmett conceded 1024 runs in the 1928-29 Ashes series, taking 23 wickets. He’s the only man to leak 1000 runs in a single series, although his predecessor as Australia’s googly merchant, Arthur Mailey, went for 999 in the previous Ashes series down under, in 1924-25. Mailey – who finished his career with 99 Test wickets – also conceded 946 in 1920-21.
It’s been quite a while, but the Australian legspinner Clarrie Grimmett conceded 1024 runs in the 1928-29 Ashes series, taking 23 wickets. He’s the only man to leak 1000 runs in a single series, although his predecessor as Australia’s googly merchant, Arthur Mailey, went for 999 in the previous Ashes series down under, in 1924-25. Mailey – who finished his career with 99 Test wickets – also conceded 946 in 1920-21.
Outside the Ashes, the most runs conceded in a Test series is 927, by another legspinner, India’s Subhash “Fergie” Gupte, at home to West Indies in 1958-59. The record for a four-Test rubber is 801, by the Australian offspinner Nathan Lyon, at home to India in 2014-15.
Who’s the only man who played for England in both Centenary Tests? asked Tom Hunter from England
Although there was only about three and a half years between the Centenary Test n Melbourne in 1977, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Test, and the 1980 match at Lord’s that marked 100 years since the first Test in England, you’re right that only one man appeared for England in both – the Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Old. At a time of seemingly rapid turnover of players, Old was also the only man to feature in the England squads for both the first two one-day World Cups, in 1975 and 1979.
Although there was only about three and a half years between the Centenary Test n Melbourne in 1977, which celebrated the 100th anniversary of the first Test, and the 1980 match at Lord’s that marked 100 years since the first Test in England, you’re right that only one man appeared for England in both – the Yorkshire fast bowler Chris Old. At a time of seemingly rapid turnover of players, Old was also the only man to feature in the England squads for both the first two one-day World Cups, in 1975 and 1979.
Three Australians played in both Centenary Tests – Greg Chappell (who captained in both), Rod Marsh and Dennis Lillee. Another man almost qualifies: slow left-armer Ray Bright played in 1980, having been 12th man in 1977, when he fielded throughout both England’s innings after the early injury to Rick McCosker, whose jaw was broken by a ball from Bob Willis.
