Alistair Cook’s record score.

As you can see from here, Alistair Cook’s 244* at Melbourne is not his highest Test score.

That is 294.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/11728.html

However, it set a number of records. He became the first Test player to make 244*, while Bradman is the only one to be dismissed on 244 (vs England, who else?) in 1934.

Cook’s 244* is also the highest score by anyone carrying his bat through a Test:

http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283149.html

The previous record was 223* by GM Turner vs WI in 1971-72; this series had all 5 Tests drawn and is the only such series not involving India.

The previous record for England was 202* by L Hutton vs WI in 1950-this was not enough to prevent an innings defeat against Ramadhin, Valentine and Goddard.

And the previous record in Australia was 169* by MA Taylor vs SA at Adelaide in 1998.

There was also a near-miss in 1974 when DL Amiss made 262* against WI in a total of 432/9.

 

Review of New Zealand-West Indies Tests-1

After New Zealand’s 2-0 victory, results of Tests between these teams are summarized below:

New Zealand has now moved into the lead with 15 victories against 13 by the West Indies.

The last victory of WI against NZ was at Port of Spain in Jan 2014. The last victory of WI in NZ was a generation ago, at Wellington in Feb 1995. That is remembered for Walsh’s 13-55.

We now look at individual performances, starting with batting:

Runs scored (750 and above):

The most centuries are 4 by Taylor, and the most scores of 50+ are 10 by Chanderpaul and Gayle. Taylor is the only current player here.

Highest innings (150 and above):

None from the recent series, although Ross Taylor had a 200+ score earlier.

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

Only Taylor from the current players. Relatively few names here because of the relative infrequency of Tests between these teams over the years.

Now for bowling:

Most wickets (30 and above):

Several current players led by Boult and Southee.

Best innings bowling (including all instances of 7wi and above):

Wagner’s feat in the current series is here.

Best match bowling (including all instances of 10wm and above):

Note Walsh’s extraordinary figures. But there are no instances from recent years.

Bowling averages (Minimum 2000 balls, all instances):

Nobody among current players as they have not played enough.

To be continued.