We now look at individual batting performances.
Most runs (500 or more):
The top scorer here is M Labuschagne who had made his debut in 2018 with little impact, but he soon showed his class. The returning SPD Smith came second, while his former deputy Warner did not fare so well.
Others in this list who had made their Test debuts in 2018 or 2019 are RJ Burns, MA Agarwal, TM Head and JL Denly.
Several players made 3 centuries. Labuschagne had the most 50+ scores (10) and the next highest was 7.
Labuschagne scored the most 4s (129) while RG Sharma scored the most 6s (20).
SCJ Broad had the most ducks (5) followed by three others with 4.
Highest innings (125 or more):
One triple by Warner and 6 doubles, including 2 by newcomer Agarwal and one by the rejuvenated RG Sharma. Labuschagne’s highest was 185, but he made a double at the beginning of 2020. The longest innings was 473 balls in Watling’s 205.
Sharma and Smith made centuries in each innings:
Sharma’s 13 6s in the match is a new Test record. The previous record was 12 by Wasim Akram in a single innings:
Highest batting averages (Min 15 innings, all instances):
Labuschagne yet again, with Head and Warner following at a distance.
There are even a couple of single-digit averages by tailenders. This seems to show that Broad’s batting is now negligible.
Highest batting strike rates (Minimum 750 balls faced, all instances):
de Kock leads by a distance over Babar Azam, who also has a large lead over R Taylor. And Watling showed that a low overall strike rate does not prevent one from scoring a double century.
abn397 