Record Book – The highest scores on first-class debut

The fifth round of the ongoing Ranji Trophy saw Madhya Pradesh’s Ajay Rohera achieve a remarkable feat at the Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, as his unbeaten 267 against Hyderabad entered the record books as the highest individual score on first-class debut. The 21-year-old surpassed the previous record held by Amol Muzumdar, who had […]

In Focus – Surrey end a 16-year wait in style

With a successful chase of 272 that brought a three-wicket win against hosts Worcestershire, Surrey ended a 16-year wait to claim their 19th County Championship title on September 13. The last time Surrey laid hands on English cricket’s most prestigious trophy was under Adam Hollioake in 2002, which was their third title in four years. […]

Record Book – Bermuda’s maiden first-class match

The first time Bermuda took on an international team was when they played the touring Australians, led by Syd Gregory, at Hamilton in 1912-13. However, it was not until 1971-72 that they contested a designated first-class fixture. The New Zealanders followed their five-Test series in the Caribbean with a visit to Hamilton’s National Stadium […]

Record Book – Auckland’s unlucky 13

For a moment few days back, Auckland were in real danger of being bowled out for the lowest ever total in any first-class match played in New Zealand. Hosts Wellington had them on the mat at a precarious 12/7 in their opening Plunket Shield clash at the Basin Reserve, and there was every possibility […]

Who Would Have Thought It – Last wicket exploits floor Western Province twice over

One of the most intriguing matches in South Africa’s first-class cricket history was played across two calendar years in the 1925-26 Currie Cup. Orange Free State hosted Western Province in the sixth match of the season from December 31, 1925 to January 2, 1926 at the Ramblers Cricket Club Ground in Bloemfontein. […]

In Focus – Barramundis take another significant stride

The Papua New Guinea national team, also known as the Barramundis, wrote a new chapter in their cricketing history when they defeated Netherlands by five wickets in their opening Intercontinental Cup match at the VRA Ground in Amstelveen yesterday. The ongoing edition of the Intercontinental Cup, slated to reach its climax at the […]

Specials – M.E. Pavri: The first great Indian cricketer

In his late 19th-century book A Chronicle of Cricket, writer Shapoorjee Sorabjee vividly described how the Parsis began playing cricket: ‘Some enthusiastic boys at first only gleefully watched from a distance the game played at Fort George, and then hunted after and returned the balls from the field to the players. For such gratis […]

IN FOCUS – Bags of fifteen for Sajib and Rushworth

Fifteen-wicket hauls do not come everyday, but during this week we saw two such instances recorded in first-class cricket. The two bowlers who achieved this are Saqlain Sajib of Bangladesh ‘A’ and Chris Rushworth of Durham. Saqlain Sajib took 15/132 for Bangladesh ‘A’ against Zimbabwe ‘A’, the best bowling figures by a Bangladeshi […]

Who Would Have Thought It – Cambridge University’s path-breaking chase

The 1896 University Match between the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and the Cambridge University was a remarkable one. Played at Lord’s between 25th and 27th June, 1896, this match created a record which was quite unimaginable in that day and age. The MCC side for this fixture had a decent look to it. […]

Who Would Have Thought It – Border’s double debacle

Most of the embarrassingly low first-class team totals were recorded in the early age of cricket. However, the Currie Cup of 1959-60 saw one of the most bizarre first-class matches ever played. Two of the three lowest first-class team totals after the second World War were recorded in this match between Border and Natal. […]