Cricket is a sport filled with astonishing achievements, many of which remain hidden beneath the more celebrated milestones. While fans often recall famous innings, bowling spells, or team victories, some records are so unusual or rare that they escape mainstream attention. From bizarre coincidences to superhuman feats, here are ten incredible cricket records that might surprise even the most ardent followers of the game.
The Fastest Century in First-Class Cricket
While many know about Viv Richards’ 56-ball Test century or AB de Villiers’ 31-ball ODI hundred, the fastest century in first-class cricket is a record that stands out for its sheer speed. In 1982, West Indian legend Sir Vivian Richards smashed a century off just 56 balls for Somerset against Warwickshire, a record that still holds in first-class cricket. However, an even more astonishing feat belongs to Australia’s Steve Waugh, who once scored a hundred in just 34 deliveries for New South Wales against Tasmania in 1984. This remains one of the quickest centuries ever recorded in any professional cricket format, yet it is rarely discussed outside Australia.
The Longest Individual Innings in Test Cricket
Batting for an entire Test match is a rare achievement, but Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad took endurance to another level in 1958. Facing the West Indies in Bridgetown, he batted for an unbelievable 970 minutes (over 16 hours) to score 337 runs, saving the Test for his team. This remains the longest individual innings in Test history in terms of time spent at the crease. England’s Len Hutton held the previous record with a 797-minute 364 in 1938, but Hanif’s marathon effort surpassed even that. Modern batsmen, accustomed to faster scoring rates, rarely approach such levels of concentration and stamina.
The Only Bowler to Take Two Hat-Tricks in the Same First-Class Match
Hat-tricks are rare, but taking two in the same match is almost unheard of. Yet, in 1985, Australian fast bowler Albert Trott achieved this extraordinary feat while playing for Middlesex against Somerset. He took a hat-trick in each innings, finishing with match figures of 8/53. No other bowler in first-class cricket has managed this since. Trott, who also played for Australia and England, remains one of the few cricketers to have hit a ball over the Lord’s pavilion, proving his all-round ability.
The Highest Score by a No. 11 Batsman in Test Cricket
Tailenders are not known for big scores, but Australia’s Ashton Agar rewrote the script in 2013. On his Test debut against England, Agar, batting at No. 11, stunned the world by scoring 98—the highest Test score by a No. 11 batsman. He narrowly missed a century, falling just two runs short. His innings included 12 fours and two sixes, and it helped Australia recover from 117/9 to 280 all out. The previous record was held by Tino Best, who made 95 for West Indies against England in 2012. Agar’s knock remains one of the most unexpected batting performances in Test history.
The Most Runs Scored Off a Single Over in International Cricket
Hitting 36 runs in an over is rare, but South Africa’s Herschelle Gibbs took it further by smashing six sixes in a 2007 World Cup match against the Netherlands. However, the record for the most runs in an over belongs to Sri Lanka’s Sanath Jayasuriya, who plundered 30 runs off one over from Pakistan’s Mohammad Sami in 2001. Even more astonishing is the first-class record: New Zealand’s Bert Vance conceded 77 runs in a single over in a 1990 match between Wellington and Canterbury—though this was partly due to deliberate no-balls to help a batsman reach a century.
The Only Player to Score a Triple Century and Take a Five-Wicket Haul in Tests
Only one cricketer in history has scored a triple century and taken a five-wicket innings haul in Test matches: West Indies legend Sir Garfield Sobers. His 365* against Pakistan in 1958 stood as the highest individual Test score for 36 years. Later in his career, he also took five-wicket hauls with his versatile bowling. No other all-rounder, not even Jacques Kallis or Ian Botham, has matched this unique double of a triple century and a five-for in Tests.
The Most Ducks in Test Cricket History
Getting out for zero is a batter’s nightmare, and New Zealand’s Chris Martin holds the unenviable record for the most Test ducks (36 in 104 innings). His batting struggles became legendary, with fans humorously calling him the “Phantom” for his tendency to disappear quickly. Despite being a capable bowler, Martin’s batting was so poor that his career average of 2.36 is among the lowest in Test history for players with over 50 innings.
The Only Bowler to Dismiss a Father and Son in Test Cricket
Cricket has seen many father-son duos, but only one bowler has dismissed both in Test matches: England’s James Anderson. He first removed Pakistan’s Younis Khan in 2006 and later dismissed his son, Shaheen Afridi, in 2020. This unusual record highlights Anderson’s longevity, as he played long enough to bowl to two generations of cricketers.
The Most Consecutive Test Matches Without a Defeat
West Indies’ dominance in the 1980s was such that they went 27 Test matches without losing a single game—a record that still stands. Under Clive Lloyd and later Viv Richards, they remained unbeaten from 1982 to 1984, a streak that included 11 wins and 16 draws. Modern teams, with more frequent matches and competitive opponents, have not come close to matching this.
The Oldest Cricketer to Make a Test Debut
Most players debut in their early 20s, but in 2018, South Africa’s Pieter Malan made his Test debut at 39 years old. However, the oldest Test debutant remains England’s James Southerton, who was 49 years and 119 days old when he played in the first-ever Test match in 1877. Age records like these are unlikely to be broken in modern cricket, where fitness and youth are prioritized.
Final Thoughts
Cricket’s history is filled with remarkable records that often go unnoticed. From unbelievable batting feats to bizarre coincidences, these achievements add depth to the sport’s rich legacy. While modern cricket focuses on fast-paced action and big hits, these lesser-known records remind us of the game’s unpredictable and extraordinary nature. Whether it’s a No. 11 batsman nearly scoring a century or a bowler taking two hat-tricks in a match, cricket continues to produce moments that defy expectations.
