It’ll be a week to remember for four Test cricket legends. On March 7, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jonny Bairstow will take the field in Dharamshala to participate in their 100th Test match. Meanwhile, 12865 kilometers away, two New Zealand legends, Kane Williamson and Tim Southee, will achieve the same milestone, albeit a day later.
Player | Matches | Stats |
---|---|---|
Jonny Bairstow | 99 | 5974 runs at 36.42, 12 hundreds & 26 fifties and 242 catches & 14 stumpings |
Ravichandran Ashwin | 99 | 507 wickets & 3309 runs, 35 5-w & 8 10-w hauls and 5 hundreds & 14 fifties |
Kane Williamson | 99 | 8675 runs (most for NZ) at 55.25 and 32 hundreds (most for NZ) & 33 fifties |
Tim Southee | 99 | 378 wickets & 2072 runs, 15 5-w & 1 10-w hauls and 6 fifties |
100th Test Week in Dharamshala
Two players who couldn’t be more apart in stature and achievements will be receiving their 100th Test match on March 7. Ravichandran Ashwin is considered to be the finest spinner of his generation, someone who’s thought to be a scientist on the field, a player with 500 wickets and over 3300 Test runs against Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow, someone who is often labeled to be one of the worst players to play 100 Tests.
However, disparaging Bairstow, someone who’s batted wherever his team has wanted and even helmed the gloves for most of his career, is a disrespect to Test cricket. The wicketkeeper batter will become just the 17th man from England to play 100 Tests and add another feather to an already illustrious career.
Kiwi Legends 100th Test coronation in Christchurch
New Zealand legends and good friends Kane Williamson and Tim Southee will play their 100th Test match together on March 8. Skipper Southee is the second-highest wicket-taker for New Zealand after legendary all-rounder Sir Richard Hadlee and the second-highest active six-hitter in Test cricket after Ben Stokes.
Meanwhile, former skipper Williamson, who’ll become the 6th Kiwi cricketer to play 100 Tests, is the highest run scorer and has scored the most centuries for the nation (32). The calm and composed batter also has the best win percentage (55) for any New Zealand captain.