Streak does the all-rounders' double

By Mohandas Menon

** Andy Flower (when on 6, 45) reached his 8000th run of his first-class career, while playing in his 116th match since his first-class debut in 1986-87. He becomes the first Zimbabwe player to reach this landmark, although many other former Rhodesian batsmen (before the formation of Zimbabwe in 1980) have scored more.

** Later in his innings, Andy Flower (when on 18), reached his 1000th run in Tests against India. Flower became the 22nd batsman to reach this landmark against India, while playing in his just seventh Test and 13th innings.

For the record, West Indian Clive Lloyd has the maximum run aggregate of 2344 runs (avg. 58.60) in 28 matches against India.

** Andy, meanwhile, missed his 10th score over fifty in the last 11 innings since September last year. Incidentally, Andy since June 1, 2000 (against England at Nottingham) has made 15 scores above 20 in a row - the lowest being 22 he made against New Zealand in September last at Bulawayo. Since then he has now scored 1100 runs (avg. 84.61) in 10 Test matches, with two hundreds and seven fifties.

** Although opener Dion Ebrahim (49) missed his maiden fifty of his Test career, he recorded his highest score. Playing in his fourth Test match and sixth innings, he bettered his previous best of 39 he made against Bangladesh at this same ground in April this year.

** The partnership of 87 runs between Ebrahim and Andy Flower was Zimbabwe's best at home against India for the fourth wicket. The pair bettered the previous best of just 26 between Kevin Arnott and Dave Houghton at this same ground in October 1992. Zimbabwe's other large partnerships against India for this wicket remain as 209 and 192 respectively - but both have come on

Indian soil.

** Heath Streak (40, when on 11) playing in 40th Test match, became the seventh Zimbabwean and 363rd batsman in Test history to reach the landmark of 1000 runs. At the end of his innings he has 1029 runs to his credit.

** Streak, who already has 155 Test wickets, became the 24th all- rounder to do the double of 1000 runs and 150 wickets in Tests. Incidentally, England's Maurice Tate became the first all- rounder to do so in 1931. He also becomes the 36th all-rounder in Test history to do the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets.

** Grant Flower (80 not out, when on 10) became the only second batsman after brother Andy (1090 runs in 18 matches) to reach 1000 runs at the Harare Sports Club ground. At the end of the second day he has 1070 runs at this venue.

** The 67-run partnership between G Flower and Andy Blignaut was Zimbabwe's best for the seventh wicket against India at home. The pair betters the previous best of 38 between G Flower and Heath Streak at Bulawayo in the last Test match.

** Blignaut's 35 was his highest Test score in his 4th Test match. His previous highest was the unbeaten 32 he made in the second innings of the last Test match at Bulawayo.

** This was the only second occasion Zimbabwe has taken the first innings lead against India. The only other occasion was in the very first meeting between the two sides in October 1992 at this same ground, when the home side took a lead of 149 runs.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Sport
Previous : Harper promises competitive show
Next     : Rain plays spoilsport