Test batting performances of 2017

Here we look at individual batting performances for the calendar year 2017.

Most runs (750 and above):

SPD Smith and five others crossed 1000. Smith had the most centuries (6) followed by Elgar and Kohli with 5.

Smith also had 9 scores of 50-plus, which was attained by several others. But it is his Ashes counterpart Root who has 10 such scores. KL Rahul (who scored less than 750 runs and does not appear above) had 9 scores of 50+ with a top score of 90. You can also see Dickwella who failed to convert any of his 6 fifties.

Also Elgar has the most 4s (43) and Warner and Mushfiqur the most 6s (7) in the above table. A closer look shows that de Grandhomme (15) actually had the most 6s though he scored only 293 runs.

Highest individual innings (150 and above):

The highest score was 244* by AN Cook practically at the end of the year, while he and Kohli also made 243. Cook’s 244* is the first Test score at that number (though Bradman was once dismissed on 244). This 244* is also the highest score by anyone carrying his bat through an innings, surpassing GM Turner’s 223* in 1972.

Kohli has three double centuries while Elgar joined the somewhat exclusive 199 club.

Highest batting averages (Minimum 20 innings, all instances):

Although Pujara and Kohli scored over 1000 runs they batted in less than 20 innings, so they do not appear here. So we have SPD Smith heading this table with Elgar a distant second.

Highest strike rates (Minimum 1000 balls faced, 50.00 and above):

Here we have Kohli closely followed by Dickwella, with Smith considerably behind.

Two centuries in a match:

Only one instance. They were Hope’s maiden centuries, and enabled the West Indies to win a Test in England for the first time since 2000.

Next we will take up bowling.

The Test debutants of 2016-1

A total of 44 players made their Test debut during the calendar year 2016. Here we take a look at their performances in their debut matches and briefly look at their progress until February 2017.

Innings scores of 40 and above:

and match totals of 50 and above:

12 instances of 50+ on debut, including centuries by SC Cook and KK Jennings. 3 others (J Yadav, Dhananjaya de Silva and KS Maharaj) also scored at least 50 runs in the match. H Hameed scored over 100 in his debut match without a century. Jennings became one of only 4 to score a century and duck on debut; GR Viswanath was the first to do so.

Cook has so far made 3 centuries and Dhananjaya  and Handscomb 2 apiece, while others including Gunaratne and Yadav have also scored centuries. Most of those listed above have made steady progress as batsmen (and in some cases as bowlers).

Looking at bowling performances on debut;

4 wickets in an innings:

6 wickets in a match:

The best innings and match performances were by Zimbabwe-born C de Grandhomme. MH Miraz did almost as well, conceding a few more runs. Miraz went on to take two 6-fors in his second Test and was instrumental in Bangladesh’s first Test victory over England. He has also displayed some batting ability in his last few Tests, as has de Grandhomme.

To be continued: