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Cricket is more than just a game—it’s a goldmine of fascinating cricket stats that tell stories beyond the scoreboard. While centuries, five-wicket hauls, and match-winning knocks steal the spotlight, hidden deep within the game’s history are unusual cricket stats that challenge conventional thinking. These are not your everyday numbers—they’re bizarre, rare, and often mind-blowing.
Cricket stats | From a No. 11 batsman nearly scoring a century to bowlers going wicketless across entire careers, these odd records reflect the unpredictable beauty of cricket. In this article, we dive into the most extraordinary and unusual cricket stats ever recorded—figures that break the norms and redefine how we interpret cricket stats as a whole. Whether you’re a stat geek or a casual fan, prepare to be surprised.
Rare 100s That Shocked the Worlds Cricket Stats
Centuries by No. 9, 10, and 11 Batsmen
The lower order is typically a graveyard for batting expectations—but occasionally, a nightwatchman or a determined tailender surprises everyone. One of the most memorable was Ashton Agar, who scored 98 runs on debut for Australia batting at No. 11 against England in 2013. Though he missed a century, it remains the highest score by a No. 11 in Tests.
India’s Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Pakistan’s Wahab Riaz also have 50+ scores from No. 9 and 10, showcasing that even tailenders can turn into unlikely batting heroes.
Unusual Cricket Stats: No. 11 scoring 98 on debut (Ashton Agar)
Centuries on Debut by Uncapped or Young Players
Scoring a century on Test debut is a dream, but some players have done it under massive pressure. For example, Prithvi Shaw scored 134 on his debut Test for India at just 18 years old. But what’s more unusual? Reeza Hendricks, who scored a century on his ODI debut for South Africa—the first South African to do so.
Centuries in Losing Causes
It’s cruel when a player scores a ton and still ends up on the losing side. Brian Lara did it often—his 153* against Australia is legendary but came in a losing series. Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most centuries (14) in ODIs that ended in defeat.
Unusual Cricket Stats: Sachin has the most ODI centuries in losing causes
Cricket Stats | Mind-Blowing 5-fers That Made History
5-Wicket Hauls in T20 Matches
Five-fors are rare in T20s due to limited overs, but they do happen—and often in surprising fashion. Ajantha Mendis once took 6 wickets for just 8 runs in a T20I, a spell that stands as one of the most economical five-fers ever.
In the IPL, Alzarri Joseph‘s 6/12 for Mumbai Indians in his debut match remains iconic.
Unusual Cricket Stat: Best T20I figures — 6/8 by Ajantha Mendis
Youngest and Oldest 5-Fer Stars
- Naseem Shah took a Test five-for for Pakistan at just 16 years of age.
- On the other side of the spectrum, Wilfred Rhodes took 5 wickets in Tests at the age of 52!
5-Fers in World Cup Knockouts
World Cups create pressure, and five-fers in crucial matches are gold. Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Starc, and Yuvraj Singh have delivered 5-wicket hauls in World Cup knockouts, swinging games single-handedly.
Unusual Cricket Stats: Yuvraj Singh’s 5/31 + 50 in the same World Cup match (vs Ireland, 2011)
Batting Stats That Don’t Make Sense (But Are True)
Most Ducks by Players with Over 1000 Runs
Sanath Jayasuriya has scored over 13,000 runs in ODIs—but also holds the record for the most ducks (34). The duality of explosive batting and sudden collapse is what makes this record shocking.
Highest Averages with Few Matches
Andy Ganteaume of West Indies played only one Test, scored 112, and was never picked again. His Test average? 112.00, the highest ever for a player with at least one innings.
Unusual Cricket Stat: Highest Test average (112.00) by a player who never played again
Centuries in All Formats with Low Overall Runs
KL Rahul has a century in all three formats but often struggles with consistency. It’s unusual for players to touch these peaks yet maintain lower average runs across formats.
Longest Gaps Between Centuries
Younis Khan once had a gap of 7 years between Test centuries. Alastair Cook also went through droughts before roaring back. These stats show how mental toughness plays a huge role.
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Bowling Anomalies That Rewrite Logic
Best Economy Rates but Few Wickets
Sunil Narine in IPL has had seasons where his economy was under 6.0, yet he didn’t take many wickets. It’s a rare combination—deadly in restricting runs but unlucky in dismissals.
Spinners Clocking Fastest Deliveries
Kedar Jadhav, a part-time spinner, once bowled deliveries at over 110 kmph—more than some pacers! These speed stats don’t align with expected bowling types.
Most Dismissals of a Specific Batsman
- James Anderson vs Peter Siddle – dismissed him 11 times.
- Glenn McGrath vs Brian Lara – dismissed 15 times in all formats.
These personal rivalries make for very niche but entertaining stats.
Bowlers Who Never Took a Wicket
- Neil McKenzie, despite bowling in ODIs, never took a single wicket.
- Some bowlers have bowled over 200 deliveries without any success!
Unusual Cricket Stat: Over 30 players in international cricket have bowled but never taken a wicket
Fielding & Wicketkeeping Records You Won’t Believe
Most Catches in a Single Match
Ajinkya Rahane once took 8 catches in a single Test match as a fielder—an extraordinary feat for a non-wicketkeeper.
Wicketkeepers with Stumpings but No Catches
Some part-time keepers have pulled off a stumping without ever catching a ball behind the stumps—a statistical oddity.
Fielders Involved in All 10 Dismissals
There have been rare matches where the same fielder (or keeper) contributed to all 10 dismissals—through catches, stumpings, and run-outs combined.
Team Stats That Defy Logic
Lowest Scores While Winning
India defended a total of 125 against Pakistan in the 2012 T20 World Cup. Even more insane—Zimbabwe once won a Test after scoring just 131 in their first innings.
Most Extras Conceded in a Winning Match
Sri Lanka once gave away 70 extras but still won the game. It’s a reminder of how extras can nearly cost a team dearly.
400+ Scores That Ended in Defeat
- South Africa scored 434 in an ODI… and still lost to Australia who chased it down with 438.
- England scored 399 and still lost to New Zealand in 2015.
Unusual Cricket Stat: Losing despite 400+ runs
Lowest Totals Successfully Defended
- West Indies defended 105 against Ireland in an ODI.
- India once defended 125 in a T20 against Pakistan.
These matches prove how pressure and conditions can flip the game on its head.
What These | Teach Us About Cricket Stats
At its core, these unusual cricket stats reveal the game’s unpredictability and beauty. They remind us that greatness isn’t just in centuries or hat-tricks—but in strange, shocking moments where players push the limits of expectation.
They show us:
- Cricket is a team game where even the smallest contribution can be monumental.
- Stats often tell a story that words can’t.
- There’s glory not just in dominating, but also in defying odds.
In the vast universe of cricket stats, the most memorable ones aren’t always the highest scores or the fastest centuries. Sometimes, it’s the strange, rare, and unusual cricket stats that capture the imagination. From jaw-dropping five-fers to bizarre batting records, these numbers highlight the game’s rich unpredictability.
Exploring these cricket stats helps us appreciate cricket not just as a sport but as a narrative built on data, drama, and pure chance. They reveal hidden heroes, forgotten feats, and incredible moments that challenge tradition. So next time you read a scorecard, look beyond the obvious—you might just uncover a stat that breaks the norm.