Trivia #06: A Cricket Quiz

Cricket Quiz

1. Which bowler demolished England, leading to the 'Ashes' obituary notice ? He also took test cricket's first hat-trick.

F R Spofforth 14-90. The Oval, 1882 (Aust. won by 7runs). He took the hat-trick in 1878-79 at Melbourne (Aus won by 10 wkts)

2. Of the bowlers with 100 wickets in ashes tests, who has the best average ?

Charles Thomas Biass Turner to be exact. One of cricket's legendary figures. Turner took 101 wickets in 17 tests, all of them against England at 16.53.

3. Which doctor, on his debut became the first player to carry his bat in a Test?

Did I mislead you with the "Doctor" bit? That was exactly my intention. :-) The answer is John Barrett (Aus) - Eng. v Aus at Lords, 1890. This was the first test of the 2 match series with Barrett making 67 n.o in Aus's 2nd inns. Barrett only played in this series; his profession preventing him from playing again.

4. Eng vs. Aus - Aus bat first and an Englishman becomes the first bowler to reach a 100 test wickets. When England bat, an Australian becomes the second bowler to reach the landmark. Who are the bowlers concerned ? Clue: The Englishman died a few years later in a mental asylum. The Australian is the same player as in #2.

Johnny Briggs & Turner. The match in question is the 4th. test at Sydney in 1894-95. Aus won by an inns and 147 runs. Had Eng batted first, Turner would probably have become the first. In the third test between these two at Headingley in 1899, Briggs had an epileptic fit on the first night. He returned to the game but never in a test and less than three years later, he died in Cheadle Asylum.

5. Holds the record for most wickets in a test series.

S F Barnes 49 vs SA 1913-14. In 4 matches good 'ol Barnes took 49 wickets for 536 runs at 10.93. Barnes played for Lancs. and Warwicks but he was an odd fella - preferring league cricket. Interestingly, he only played 27 tests. Died on Boxing Day, '67.

6. His totals of first-class runs and centuries look unlikely to be ever beaten.

J Hobbs 61237 runs, 197 centuries. Since Boycs, didn't break it, nobody will. Maybe Hick! He only needs another 130 or so tons.

7.First to 1000 test runs.

Arthur Shrewsbury (E) vs. Aust. at Lords (Ist. test), 1893.

8. He played in only one test. Took a wicket with his first ball, which also happened to be the first ball of the match. Two "firsts". Australian.

Arthur Conningham (Aus) dismissed A.C. McLaren vs. England, 2nd test, Melbourne, 1894-95. - Eng. won by 94 runs.

9. Taking too many wickets on one's debut can be a curse. Bob Massie took 16 wickets on his debut at Lord's in '72, but had a short career. Hirwani broke his record and he too has had a short career (so far). Name the player who took 12 wickets on his debut, a record that stood for 82 years until Massie broke it. This player had a brief career too.

F. Martin (Aust). Vs. England, 2nd test, The Oval, 1890. England won by 2 wickets. Isn't that a trip? Martin set this record, which stood for 82 years until Massie broke it. Then Hirwani came along and did even better. All three did bugger all after that. So here's a piece of advice to all you aspiring cricketers out there - don't over do it.

10. Born in NZ, he began his test carrer very late, aged 33, but went on to become the first bowler to take 200 test wickets.

Clarrie Grimmett 216 wkts 37 tests. Born in Dunedin, Grimmett was short and balding, but he took 11 English wickets on his debut. Died in Adelaide, '80.

11. This left-hander only played 20 tests due to the fact that he was not always in favour with the selectors. However, his batting average is the fifth highest in the world at 59.23

Eddie Paynter (Eng).

12. Achieved the best bowling analysis in first-class cricket - 10 for 10, but he died of wounds in a prisoner of war camp.

Hedley Verity for Yorks vs. Notts in '32. Once took 14 Aussie wickets in a day at Lord's in '34 - the record being 15 by Briggs (vs RSA, Cape Town, 1888-89). Died in Casate, Italy.

13. This Englishman was dropped after a couple of disappointing tests forcing him to re-style his game. Went on to play 82 tests, averaging 58.67. Clue: Went to the WI as an asst. manager in '81 and died of a heart attack in Bridgetown.

K F Barrington

14. This astonshing cricketer began as a No.11 batsman, but his batting improved to such an extent that he opened the innings with Hobbs in 1911-12 at Melbourne and shared in a stand of 323. Holds a couple of other records which will probably never be beaten (can't tell you, otherwise it'll be a giveaway and I've given you too many already ;-) ). Died, aged 95.

Wilfred Rhodes. Rhodes took over 4000 first-class wickets (only player > 4000) and played his last test, aged 52 years, 165 days vs. WI (the oldest to do so). His test career lasted for 30 years - another record. Died in Dorset, '73.

15. Captained England on their first visit to SA in 1888-89. Later, he became a Hollywood actor and starred in the classic "The Four Feathers".

One of my favourite chaps - C. Aubrey Smith - founded a cricket club in Hollywood.

16. In the 1895-96 series between England and SA (3 matches), this bowler took 35 wickets at 5.80. No typo here!

G. Lohmann

17. Scored SA's first ever 100. Also holds the record for SA's fastest test 100.

J.H. Sinclair vs. England, 2nd test, Cape Town, 1898-99. He also took 6-26 in England's first innings. The fast ton came against Australia, 3rd test, Cape Town in 80 minutes.

18. West Indies' first century-maker (1929-30 vs. Eng). Clue: Not George Headley, who scored 176 in the second inns of this match.

C.A. Roach vs England, Bridgetown, 1929-30.

19. Sydney: Came in at 19 for 2 and scored 121 of the last 179 runs - his share of the whole innings: 61.11%. Later, he became the first player to wear a helmet in a test. Bonus points for this one.

Graham Yallop. Patsy Hendren wore a padded cap in '29 which is very interesting. Yallop's 61.11% is one of the highest in history. Other instances:

C.Bannerman (Aus v Eng, Melbourne, 1876-77) 67.35% C.G.Greenidge (WI v Eng, Old Trafford, 1976) 63.51% A.P.Gurusinha (SL v Ind, Chandigargh, 1990-91) 63.41% J.R.Reid (NZ v Eng, Christchurch, 1962-63) 62.89% S.M.Nurse (WI v NZ, Christchurch, 1968-69) 61.87% M.Amarnath (Ind v WI, Kingston, 1975-76) 61.86% (Five batsman injured) G.N.Yallop (Aus v Eng, Sydney, 1978-79) 61.11% G.A.Gooch (Ind v WI, Headingley, 1991) 61.11%

20. Everyone knows that Jim Laker took 19 wickets in a test at Old Trafford in 1956, including all 10 Australian wickets in an innings. But who achieved the same feat of all 10 Aussie wickets in an innings for his county that same English season in '56 ? P.S. Bonus points for this one too.

JimBoy again. Tried to mislead people on this one too! Amazing performance by Laker that summer.

21. SA keeper, had a record breaking series in 1966-67 against the visiting Australians. Topped the batting averages for either side, scoring 606 runs at 86.57 (no not outs) and bettering the next best batsman, Graeme Pollock by 10 average runs (Pollock batted in 2 more innings). This included 2 tons and he also took 24 catches in the series. Who is he and name his father.

Denis Lindsay. His dad was Johnnie Lindsay who was also an SA wickie.

22. Holds the record for most centuries in consecutive innings in test matches. On retirement, he became an international bridge player.

Everton Weekes

23. Kiwi: Scored 2 big hundreds (174 & 176) in consecutive matches against England in 1973 (in Eng.), but still came second in the batting averages for either side. Who is he and name his teammate who headed the averages at 100.66.

Bev Congdon and Vic Pollard

24. These two major players from their respective sides refused to join Packer's circus and played against each other in the 1977-78 series in WI, immediately after WSC's formation. Who are they?

Jeff Thomson and Alvin Kallicharan

25. In the first tied test between Aust. and WI. at Brisbane (1960-61 series), a run-out off the final ball resulted in the tie. Name the batsman who was run out and the fielder who ran him out. Who was bowling the last over ?

Meckiff (batsman), Solomon (throw), Hall (bowler)

26. In the 4th. test between WI and NZ (1971 series), Glenn Turner scored 259, until recently the highest score by a Kiwi. During his innings, he put on 387 for the 1st wicket. With whom ?

Trevor Jarvis

27. This Indian finished the 1986-87 series against Australia (in India) with a batting average of 231.00. This is the series that included only the second tied test in history.

R J Shastri

28. SA keeper - Holds the record for the highest number of dismissal in tests and in a series for his country.

J Waite (Rod Marsh holds the record since 1982-83 - 28 ct vs Eng)

29. Name the two most successful leggies in tests (regarding number of wickets).

Richie Benaud with 248 @ 27.03 and Chandra with 242 @ 29.75. Qadir is next with 236 @ 32.80.

30. In Gavaskar's debut match against WI in '71 (Port of Spain), India won their first test against WI in 25 attempts. Name the WI bowler who took 9 wickets in an innings in only his second test, but still ended up on the losing side.

Noreiga 9-95

31. The roles were reversed for this one. Name two Indian bowlers who took 9 wickets in an innings against WI, but still ended up on the losing side. Also name the other Indian bowler who has taken 9 wickets in a test innings.

9-83 Kapil Dev Ind v WI, Ahmedabad, 1983-84 9-102 S.P. Gupte Ind v WI, Kanpur, 1958-59 (match figures 10- 223). Hall took 11 wkts in that game and Sobers scored a 198 in the second innings. 9-69 J.M. Patel Ind v Aus, Kanpur, 1959-60

32. WI has produced some of the best fast bowlers in test cricket history in the last 17 years. But in the period '69 to especially from two of the best openers in the game - Gavaskar and Turner. In '73 Turner scored two double tons in a rubber (today an unthinkable performance) and in '71 Gavaskar couldn't stop scoring runs. In the final test of the '71 series, Gavaskar scored a double ton and a single ton at Port of Spain. But which player had performed the same feat against the WI just a few years before.

Doug Walters 242 and 103 at Sydney, 1968-69. Finished the series with 699 @ 116.50

33. This leftie scored a double ton in a one-day match (domestic) in England. Then, he took his pads off and took 6 wickets with his occaisonal off-spinners.

Alvin Kallicharan. I can't remember the oppositions, it was a minor county and I'll never forget the game. I used to go and see everything at Edgbaston in those days but I decided to sit this one out. Imagine my horror!

34. Leftie: sacked by his English county for making a bet against his own team in a Sunday league game.

Younis Ahmed. He was with Worcestershire at the time; moved on to Glamorgan who have a habit of taking on anyone who's available. Next in the list is Warwicks.

35. Not suprisingly, Geoff Boycott batted on all five days of a test - on his return to test cricket at Trent Bridge in 1977. But he was only the second to do so. Who was the first ? Now name the first player to be on the field for the whole match.

M.L. Jaisimha. First player on field for whole game: Nazar Mohammed, Pak v Ind, Lucknow, 1952-53

36. Modern day bowler (debut 1970 onwards), took 259 wickets in 58 matches at 20.97, his figures compare well with the all time greats.

Joel Garner.

37. In 80 test innings, he scored only 167 runs, at 4.07.

B.S.Chandrashekar

38. Scored a century in his first and last tests. Once held the record for the highest match aggregate, until Gooch broke it.

G S Chappell

39. Ian Botham was the first player from any side to score a ton and take 10 wickets in a test - Golden Jubilee test at Bombay in 1979-80. But, who was the first England player to score a ton and take 5 wickets in an innings.

Tony Greig v WI, Bridgetown, 1973-74

40. Youngest player to carry his bat in a test. Repeated the feat a few years later, making the highest score for a player to achieve this feat.

Glenn Turner 43no v Eng, Lord's, 1969 - 22 yrs, 63 days 223no vs. WI, Kingston, 1971-72

41. Name the first to achieve the dual feat of 100 wkts/1000 runs in tests.

First: George Giffen (Aus) v Eng, Old Trafford, 1896 (Ranji's debut).

42. Youngest to score a double ton. Also, name the oldest and first to do so.

Youngest: J. Miandad (206) Pak v NZ, Karachi, 1976-77 - 19yrs 141 days.

Oldest: E.A.B. Rowan (236) SA v Eng, Headingley, 1951 - 42 yrs.

First: Bill Murdoch (211) AvE, Oval, 1884.

43. Scored 117 and 84 in the Centenary Test at Lord's in 1980, including a memorable straight six off Chris Old.

K J Hughes

44. Test cricket's youngest test captain. Also name the player who was both Aus's youngest player to play in a test and their youngest captain.

Pataudi Jr, I Craig

45. Came in to bat with his side in desperate trouble at 65-8. Rescued his side with 146.

Asif Iqbal

46. Scored twin hundreds on his debut but surprisingly faded from the test scene. His century in the first innings was a doubleton. Now, name the wicket-keeper who scored a double-ton on his debut.

L Rowe, B Kuruppu

47. Like the debutant above, this player scored a double ton and a single ton in the same match. Never in a test, but holds the record for achieving this feat on the most number of occaisons in first-class cricket.

Zaheer Abbas. Broke fellow Gloucs. player, Hammond's record.

48. Only player to score 150+ in both innings of a test.

A Border, 150 & 153, AvP, Lahore, 1979-80.

49. This player scored twin centuries twice in one rubber, plus one more single century making 5 in the series. Both are records.

Walcott, WI v Aus, 1954-55, 827 runs @82.70

50. First instance of two brothers scoring centuries in the same Test innings. Who are they?

Ian & Greg Chappell

Ian (118), Greg (113) vE, Oval, 1972. Against NZ, Wellington, 1973-74, the Chappell Bros. scored a century in both innings. Amazing! Ian (145 & 121), Greg (247 & 133).

51. First to a 100 test wickets for NZ.

Dick Motz vs. E, Oval, 1969. Phil Sharpe was the victim.

52. In the 1st. test between NZ and England at Lord's in England to play 4 keepers in total in that 1st. inns. Name the four keepers.

Bobby Parks Bill Athey Bob Taylor Bruce French (didn't keep wkts, was knocked while batting)

Taylor had retired two years earlier and was at the match as a spectator. French returned on the last day of the NZ innings. The order was: Athey, Taylor, Parks and French.

53. Scored a triple ton which included an incredible five sixes and 52 fours, a record number of boundaries in a test innings. Clue: Leftie, who scored a 100 100's the same year that Boycott did, but received little publicity.

J Edrich.

310 no Eng v NZ, Headingley, 1965.

54. Once scored a 1000 test runs in only 78 days - a record.

S.M. Gavaskar - taking in the Pak and WI series, 1978-79. I can't remember the exact dates. Previous best was by Hammond.

55. Scored the slowest double-ton in test cricket, which happens to be the slowest in first-class cricket too.

Brendon Kuruppu, 201no vs NZ at Colombo CC 1986-87, 776 min and 517 balls. A.D. Gaekwad, 201 Ind v Pak, Jullunder, 1983-84, 652 minutes.

56. Who were the new ball partners for the following cricketers, when they made their test debuts: Richard Hadlee, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Dennis Lillee, Bob Willis, Andy Roberts, Mike Proctor.

Hadlee : Richard Collinge NZ v Pak, Wellington, 1972-73 Imran : Asif Masood Pak v Eng, Edgbaston, 1971 Kapil : Mohinder Amarnath Ind v Pak, Faisalabad, 1978-79 Lillee : Alan "Froggy" Thomson Aus v Eng, Adelaide, 1970-71 Willis : John Snow Eng v Aus, Sydney, 1970-71 Roberts: Vanburn Holder WI v Eng, Bridgetown, 1973-74 Procter: Peter Pollock SA v Aus, Durban, 1966-67

57. Name the first wicket-keeper to make a double ton. Now, name the second.

Imitiaz Ahmed (209), Pak v NZ, Lahore, 1955-56 - came into bat at #8 Taslim Arif (210), Pak v Aus, Faisalabad, 1979-80.

Thanks to Sanjay Naik, Ravi Kapadia, Spaceman Spiff