Due to the nature of the game, cricket frequently produces results that are unexpected. One of these statistics is called “batsmen with no ducks in their career.”
Doesn’t even make sense, does it? However, some players have managed to pull off this accomplishment. Let’s delve deep into this fascinating issue, shall we?
Key Takeaways - No Ducks in Career: ODI, T20i, Test
Hide
- Consistency Over Flashiness: The "no ducks in career" record highlights the importance of consistency in cricket. It's not always about big scores but ensuring you contribute every time.
- Across Formats: Achieving this feat in one format is commendable, but maintaining it across T20s, ODIs, and Tests is extraordinary.
- Global Achievement: Players from various countries, from Afghanistan to Australia, have achieved this record, showcasing the global nature of the sport.
- Beyond the Numbers: While stats provide insights, the real story lies in the grit and determination of these players. Their ability to avoid ducks showcases their mental strength and adaptability.
The Unbelievable Reality
Most people find it hard to believe a batsman can go through his entire career without scoring a duck. Yet, the truth is different.
Many players have managed to avoid this unwanted record. While some players hold the dubious distinction of having the most ducks, others have never been dismissed for zero.
The Unexpected Top Player
Here’s a shocker: the top player with no ducks in his cricket career is from Afghanistan. Yes, you read that right.
Samiullah Shenwari, primarily a bowler, tops this list. In 89 innings, he’s scored over 2000 runs without a single duck.
That’s impressive! Interestingly, Faf du Plessis, the former South African skipper, held this record for a while. However, his streak ended when he finally scored a duck.
Not Alone in this Achievement
Samiullah isn’t the only one with “no ducks in career”. Several batsmen have ensured they scored at least once in every game.
Here’s a list of the top 10 players who’ve played the most matches without a duck:
- Samiullah Shenwari (Afg): 104 matches, 2022 runs, highest score of 96.
- BP Patel (India): 31 matches, 1215 runs, highest score of 115*.
- JW Burke (Aus): 24 matches, 1280 runs, highest score of 189.
- RA Duff (Aus): 22 matches, 1317 runs, highest score of 146.
- BP Nash (WI): 30 matches, 1207 runs, highest score of 114.
- RJ Christiani (WI): 22 matches, 896 runs, highest score of 107.
- Waqar Hasan (Pak): 21 matches, 1071 runs, highest score of 189.
- VJ Marks (Eng): 40 matches, 534 runs, highest score of 83.
- Zahid Fazal (Pak): 28 matches, 636 runs, highest score of 98*.
- JW Zulch (SA): 16 matches, 983 runs, highest score of 150.
Cricket is a game that is filled with unpredictability. Even mythical figures can be embarrassed by something as simple as a duck.
However, there is a limited group of cricket players who have been successful in avoiding this destiny throughout their whole One-Day International careers.
Let’s get started by going through the roster of these extraordinary athletes who have accomplished the accomplishment of “no ducks in career.”
1. Kepler Wessels: The Top Performer
Former South African batsman Kepler Wessels, who now holds the number one spot, dominates the field.
He did not record a single duck during his 105 innings of play between the years 1983 and 1994. Do you find that impressive?
2. Yashpal Sharma: India’s Pride
The next participant is Yashpal Sharma, who hails from India. Between the years 1978 and 1985, he participated in a total of 40 innings, one of which being the illustrious World Cup in 1983.
Even though he had 883 races under his belt, he had never been challenged by a duck.
3. PN Kirsten: Another South African Gem
PN Another South African athlete by the name of Kirsten finished in third place. Between the years 1991 and 1994, he was on the field for a total of 40 innings and was never put out. During this time period, he amassed a total of 1293 runs.
4. Jacques Rudolph: Consistency Personified
Jacques Rudolph, a native of South Africa, moved up to the fourth spot to take his place. Between the years 2003 and 2006, he participated in 39 innings of baseball and scored 1174 runs without getting a hit.
5. Nathan Hauritz: Australia’s All-Rounder
An Australian all-rounder named Nathan Hauritz is now in sixth place. Between the years 2002 and 2011, he participated in 32 innings across 58 matches.
In spite of the fact that he batted lower in the order, he never got out and finished with 336 runs scored.
6. Jack Russell: England’s Middle-Order Pillar
The sixth slot goes to an English Jack Russell named Jack Russell. Between the years 1987 and 1998, he participated in a total of 40 matches and played 31 innings, during which he scored a perfect 423 runs.
7. DS De Silva: Sri Lanka’s Stalwart
The seventh spot is now held by DS De Silva, who used to play batting for Sri Lanka. During his career, which spanned from 1975 to 1985, he never faced a duck in any of his 371 innings played in ODIs.
8. N Deonarine: West Indies’ Reliable All-Rounder
N Deonarine, who is from the West Indies, comes in at number eight on our list. Between 2005 and 2015, he did not record a single hit throughout the course of 29 innings.
9. Rassie Van Der Dussen: South Africa’s Rising Star
A modern player from South Africa named Rassie Van Der Dussen is currently ranked eighth. Since the year 2019, he has participated in 29 innings and has scored a total of 1365 runs without getting a hit.
10. AI Kallicharran: West Indies’ Classic Batsman
AI Kallicharran of the West Indies batted for a total of 28 innings between the years 1973 and 1981 without ever being dismissed by a duck.
The Unbeaten Ten: Batsmen with No Ducks in Career of T20 Internationals
Twenty20 (T20) Cricket has transformed the game in the last two decades. Smaller boundaries and heavier bats have made it a batsman’s paradise, often sidelining bowlers.
Initially, T20 aimed to rejuvenate domestic cricket. By 2005, the first men’s international T20 match took place between Australia and New Zealand.
The format’s popularity skyrocketed, especially with the inception of leagues like IPL. However, some, like Ricky Ponting, believe it’s overshadowing Test cricket.
T20 demands quick runs. Hence, scoring a duck isn’t uncommon. But, some players have managed to avoid this fate. Let’s dive into the list of batsmen with no ducks in career.
1. Kusal Perera, a resident of Sri Lanka
The explosive Sri Lankan opener Kusal Perera is frequently compared to the even more legendary Sanath Jayasuriya.
In just 34 innings, he has scored 1020 runs and provided his club with blazing starts on a frequent basis.
2. Ravi Bopara, from the United Kingdom
The English all-rounder Bopara has appeared in 35 innings, accumulating 711 runs throughout the course of his career. His all-round ability is demonstrated by the fact that he has captured 16 wickets.
3. Aaron Finch, originating from Australia
Finch, a formidable player from Australia, amassed 1206 runs over the course of 36 innings. His score of 156 off 63 balls versus England is still remembered as a remarkable achievement.
4. Chamara Kapugedera, which is located in Sri Lanka
The Kapugedera project began with promise but eventually ran into obstacles. In 38 innings, he’s managed to score 703 runs.
5. Francois du Plessis, former Prime Minister of South Africa
In 39 at bats, Du Plessis, a key player for South Africa, has amassed a total of 1191 runs scored. He has also excelled in the Indian Premier League, particularly with Chennai Super Kings.
6. Dinesh Chandimal, Sri Lanka
Chandimal has demonstrated tenacity under adversity, as evidenced by his score of 738 runs in 45 innings played. He was very crucial to Sri Lanka’s success at the World T20 in 2014 as a player.
7. David Miller, South Africa
Miller, sometimes known as “Killer Miller,” has been in high demand as a Twenty20 player. In 52 innings, he has scored 1070 runs, including the fastest T20I century ever scored, which he achieved against Bangladesh.
8. Hamilton Masakadza, Zimbabwe
Masakadza, a reliable player for Zimbabwe, has scored 1460 runs in 52 matches. He has always given strong performances for the sake of his nation.
9. Angelo Mathews, Sri Lanka
Angelo Mathews has been a guiding light for Sri Lanka during its current period of transformation. After 57 innings, he has racked up 1055 runs scored.
10. Marlon Samuels, West Indies
Samuels is now in first place on our leaderboard with 1573 runs scored in 62 innings. His contributions to the team’s triumph at the World T20 have been invaluable.
Defying the Duck: The Elite 21 in Test Cricket with No Ducks in Career
In cricket, a batsman’s worst performance is when they score a duck. However, 21 of the players have never had the “bird” appear on their score sheet.
Remarkably, they were successful in accomplishing something that not even cricketing greats like Don Bradman and Sachin Tendulkar could do. They have “no ducks in the career” when it comes to test matches.
The Incredible Number of People
Cricket has a long history of setting records. The team with the fewest ducks in Test cricket stands out among them. Naturally, the more matches you play, the higher your chances will be of getting a duck.
On the other hand, this means that there are less opportunities. On the other hand, we mustn’t minimize the significance of these documents. They bear some importance.
More Than Just a Matter of Chance
There’s more to do than merely hope you don’t run into a duck. It’s a great indicator of how skilled a batsman is.
These players are incredibly adept at reading pitches and making quick decisions under pressure. It’s interesting to note that none of the names on the list have an average of less than 20 runs.
In addition, even though four of them have not scored hundreds, three of them have averages that are higher than 26.
An Inside Look at the Power List
Only 21 players in the long history of test cricket can say that they never got out to a duck. Six of them have averages that are higher than 40.
In addition, none of the players participated in more than 24 matches total. Chris Rogers and Sarfraz Ahmed are two athletes from this generation who have earned spots on the team.
Notable examples include Herbie Collins and Raman Subba Row, who both excel with their averages.
The Aristocracy Devoid of Ducks
A quick look at some of these players is in order:
- Jim Burke (Australia): From 1951-1959, he played 24 matches, scored 1280 runs at an average of 34.59 with 3 centuries.
- Chris Rogers (Australia): Between 2008-2015, he played 22 matches, amassing 1683 runs at 41.04, with 4 centuries.
- Reggie Duff (Australia): Active from 1902-1905, he played 22 matches, scoring 1317 runs at 35.59, with 2 centuries.
- Brijesh Patel (India): Between 1974-1977, he played 21 matches, scored 972 runs at 29.45, with 1 century.
- Robert Christiani (West Indies): From 1948-1954, he played 22 matches, scored 896 runs at 26.35, with 1 century.
- Dave Houghton (Zimbabwe): Active from 1992-1997, he played 22 matches, amassing 1464 runs at 43.05, with 4 centuries.
- Waqar Hasan (Pakistan): From 1952-1959, he played 21 matches, scored 1071 runs at 31.50, with 1 century.
- Bernard Julien (West Indies): Between 1973-1977, he played 24 matches, scored 866 runs at 30.92, with 2 centuries.
- Brendan Nash (West Indies): Active from 2008-2011, he played 21 matches, amassing 1103 runs at 33.42, with 2 centuries.
- Billy Zulch (South Africa): From 1910-1921, he played 16 matches, scored 983 runs at 32.76, with 2 centuries.
Concluding Thoughts: The Art of No Ducks in Career
The unpredictable nature of cricket means that it frequently takes us by surprise. One of these staggering facts is the record of having “no ducks in career.”
Only a select few players have been able to avoid getting a duck, despite the fact that many others have experienced the humiliation of getting one.
These players have demonstrated consistency, skill, and determination throughout a variety of formats, from the high-octane world of Twenty20 to the tactical arena of One-Day Internationals to the time-honored format of Test matches.
Their accomplishments serve to remind us that the game of cricket is much more than just hitting boundaries; it also requires grit and perseverance.
FAQ - No Ducks in Career: ODI, T20i, Test
What does "no ducks in career" mean in cricket?
It refers to players who have never been dismissed for a score of zero throughout their cricketing career in a particular format.
How rare is it for a player to have no ducks in their career?
It's quite rare. Given the unpredictable nature of cricket, even the best players face the possibility of scoring a duck. Only a handful have avoided it.
Who holds the record for no ducks in Test cricket?
Samiullah Shenwari from Afghanistan tops the list, having played 104 matches without a single duck.
Are there players with no ducks across all formats?
It's extremely rare for players to have "no ducks in career" across all formats. Most records are specific to one format.
Does having no ducks indicate a player's overall skill?
While it showcases consistency, it's just one aspect of a player's skill set. Other factors like average, strike rate, and centuries also play a crucial role.
