5 records in Test cricket that may never be broken

5 records in Test cricket that may never be broken 

Born in 1877, Test cricket is now 148 years old. Throughout this extensive history, the format has witnessed numerous records and remarkable events. Originating from a match between Australia and England in Melbourne, Test cricket, despite its age, retains a sense of youthfulness. Its prestige has not significantly diminished over the years.

To date, 12 nations have competed in this five-day format over 2,300 matches. England holds the record for the most Test matches played, while Australia boasts the highest number of victories.

In its 148-year history, this longest format of cricket has seen many legendary players who have established numerous records on the pitch. While many of these records have been surpassed, several remain unbroken.

Some of these enduring records date back 112, 140, and even 148 years! Let us examine five such records that have stood the test of time, with little likelihood of being surpassed in the future.

One notable example is Charles Bannerman of Australia, who scored only one Test century in his career, and that was in the very first Test match ever played. In the 1877 match, Australia amassed 245 runs in their first innings, with Bannerman contributing an impressive 165 runs, accounting for 67.34 percent of the total.

No player has matched this level of contribution in subsequent innings. The closest was Michael Slater of Australia during the 1998-99 season, who scored 123 runs out of a team total of 184, representing 66.34 percent. Nevertheless, Bannerman's record remains unbroken.

In August 1884, during a match in London between England and Australia, England was captained by W.G. Grace. Australia batted first, scoring 551 runs, while Grace bowled against them with a team of 11 players.

In response, England started to lose wickets one after another after coming out to bat. Their 8 wickets fell within 181 runs. At that time, Walter Reed came out to bat at number 10. He was so annoyed at not being able to bat higher that all his anger spilled out over 22 yards.

Reed scored 117 runs after a devastating batting. In the history of cricket, three more batsmen scored centuries at number 10, but Reed's record of 117 runs is still intact.

Hat-tricks have been taken many times in the history of Test cricket. Among them, there is a precedent of four bowlers taking hat-tricks twice each. However, no one else has the record that Australian legspinner Jimmy Mathews has. He is the only bowler to have a hat-trick record in both innings.

Australia and South Africa faced each other in Manchester in 1912. In the first innings of that match, he dismissed Roland Beaumont, Sid Pegler and Tommy Ward in 3 balls in succession.

South Africa came out to bat in the follow-on. In that innings, he dismissed Herbie Taylor, Reggie Swartz and Tommy Ward in three consecutive balls.

However, Mathews' record is unique for another reason. In the six men he dismissed in two innings, he did not need the help of any other fielder. He bowled two outs, two lbws and two cut and bowled. That record remains intact even after 113 years.

1956. The fourth Ashes Test was being played in Manchester. In that Test, England's Jim Laker set the record for the most wickets in a match.

In that Test, England batted first and scored 459 runs. In response, Australia was bowled out by the whirlwind of right-arm off-spinner Richie Benoit. Their innings ended for just 84 runs. Laker took 9 wickets alone.

Batting in the follow-on, the Aussie batting was once again lost in the canagli due to Laker's magic. This time Laker took all the wickets in the Aussie innings. Laker took 19 wickets for 90 runs in the innings. Later, Kumble-Patel touched the record of 10 wickets in an innings, but no one could take 19 wickets in an innings. This record is still elusive even after 69 years.

Brian Lara's name will be at number five on the list. He scored 400 runs against England in Antigua in 2004. He is the only cricketer who has the record of a quadruple century next to his name.

Lara achieved this record in the last match of the four-match series. He broke the record of 380 runs of Australian left-handed batsman Matthew Hayden. Hayden in turn broke Lara's record of 375 runs, which he made against the same opponent on the same ground.

This left-handed Caribbean played 582 balls while playing the 400-run innings. That is, he batted about 100 overs. Batting for this long in the era of modern T20 cricket is quite difficult for any batter. The main reason for this is the change in mentality. As a result, it is quite difficult to break Lara's 21-year-old record.