Stats highlights from the MCG Test, where Azhar Ali became the first Pakistan batsman to hit two scores of 200-plus in a year
Shiva Jayaraman and Bharath Seervi28-Dec-20161 Pakistan batsman with two scores of 200 or more in a year – Azhar Ali. Before his 205 not out in Melbourne, he had made an unbeaten 302 in the day-night Test against West Indies in October.1 Azhar is also the first Pakistan batsman to score a double-century in Tests in Australia. Majid Khan’s 158 at the MCG in 1972-73 was the previous highest.1 Visiting opener to made a double-hundred at the MCG – Azhar again. The previous highest was Virender Sehwag’s 195 in 2003-04. Overall, Azhar is only the third opener to make a double-ton at the venue, after Justin Langer and Bill Lawry.5 Openers to make two or more 200-plus scores in a year, before Azhar. Sehwag had made 201 not out and 319 in 2008. The others to accomplish this are Graeme Smith, Marvan Atapattu, Gordon Greenidge and Glenn Turner.32 Number of years since an overseas batsman got a double-hundred at the MCG. Viv Richards made 208 on that occasion. England’s Wally Hammond in 1928 and South Africa’s Aubrey Faulkner in 1910 are the only others to achieve this.4 Overseas openers to make a double-century in Tests in Australia, after Azhar’s effort at the MCG.939 Azhar’s aggregate as an opener in Tests in 2016; among Pakistan openers only Mohsin Khan scored more in a year – 1029 runs at 73.50 in 1982. Azhar’s overall tally of 1155 is the third highest by a Pakistan batsman in a year after Mohammad Yousuf’s 1788 and Younis Khan’s 1179 in 2006.118 Runs added by Azhar and Sohail Khan, the most for Pakistan for the eighth wicket against Australia. Azhar and Sohail’s partnership came at 5.94 runs an over; it was Pakistan’s second century stand for the eighth wicket in the last 20 years.0 Number of 400-plus totals for Pakistan in their last five Test series in Australia, in 29 innings going back to 1989-90. They have made two such totals in three innings in this series – 450 while chasing at the Gabba and 443 for 9 in this match. Their previous highest total in the last 29 innings was 392 in Hobart in 1999-00.24.22 David Warner’s average in Tests at the MCG before his hundred on the third day of this Test – his best was 62 in nine innings. Warner now has a century at each of Australia’s major Test venues. He also passed 5000 Test runs, the sixth quickest for Australia.4 Players to score a century at the MCG at a strike rate of over 100 – Warner smashed 144 off 143 balls. The last to do so was Ray Lindwall, 100 off 90, in 1946-47.2003 The last instance of openers from both sides making centuries in a MCG Test – Sehwag and Matthew Hayden. Azhar and Warner did so in this match.
