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10 Cricket Records unlikely to be broken anytime soon. The best team and individual records that are unlikely to be broken in the next few years

Cricket is a numbers game as much as it is a mental battle. We cricket fans are obsessed with numbers, no matter how much we like or dislike math class. After all, cricket provides interesting mathematics that forms the basis for most arguments.

From averages to big totals to magnificent individual achievements, I will explore 10 cricket records that are unlikely to be broken anytime soon. Given the cricketing world moves at such a fast pace these days (remember the 2019 World Cup, anyone), “anytime soon” could mean 5-10 years from now.

Here goes:

1. Sir Donald Bradman’s Test average: 99.94

This is one that will surely never be broken (unless a batsman plays one Test, scores a century and doesn’t play again).

In terms of a career spanning at least 20 plus Tests, though, the magical figure of 99.94 is sure to stand the fullness of time. Sir Don Bradman, the greatest batsman to ever live, missed out on finishing with a career average of 100 due to a duck in his final Test innings. The fact that Steve Smith, second on the list of all-time batting averages, holds an average 35 runs less than Bradman (as of October 2019), just goes to show what an incredible batsman Bradman was. Unrivaled.

Also read: Is Steve Smith the best batsman since Bradman?

2. Sri Lanka’s 952/6, still the highest score in Test cricket

22 years have passed. Many a flat pitch has graced Test cricket. Some true greats have also graced the game we love so much.

But, Sri Lanka’s huge 952/6, set against India in 1997, remains the highest team score in Test history. Sanath Jayasuriya (340) and Roshan Mahanama (225) drove India into the ground with a 576-run stand in a Test that consisted of just two innings after India amassed what seems a very paltry 537/8.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: With the introduction of the World Test Championship that rewards wins, as well as the more bowler-friendly conditions over the past few years, this is a record that is also very unlikely to ever be broken. Twitter would go into meltdown!

3. 624: Test cricket’s highest partnership

Another record, another Sri Lankan affiliation.

In 2006, with Sri Lanka 14/2 after knocking South Africa over for 169, no one could have possibly imagined what would come next. Kumar Sangakkara (287) and Mahela Jayawardene (374), two of Sri Lanka’s finest, combined for what still remains a world record 624-run stand that flattened the Proteas.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: Again, like the previous points, there is a greater shift towards bowler-friendly pitches. Also, with the rise of T20, fewer batsmen around the world have the patience, application and mindset to grind bowlers down for so long. Plus, World Test Championship points encourages teams to push for more wins.

4. Brian Lara’s highest scores: 400* and 501*

When you think of flamboyance and sheer swagger, Brian Lara is a name that often comes to mind. Still holder of the highest individual Test score (400* in 2004) and First Class score (501* in 1994), Lara’s feats are still to be bettered. Lara was a true gem – indeed one of the greatest to ever play the game.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: A few have come close. Mahela Jayawardene (374), Chris Gayle (333) and Michael Clarke (329*) had the 400* record in their sights. However, with fewer mammoth team scores in Test cricket in recent years, more batsmen converting from 50s to 100s seems the greatest challenge right now.

5. Most Test matches: Sachin Tendulkar (200)

Among current players, James Anderson (149) has played the most Tests. Stuart Broad is next on the list with 132. However, both are getting on in years and Anderson is struggling with injury.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken: So, that leaves the batsmen. Steve Smith and Virat Kohli, the top two Test batsmen, both 30, have played 68 and 81 Tests respectively. To break Tendulkar’s record, either will need to play uninterrupted for at least another 10 years. As does Joe Root. As for Kane Williamson, New Zealand don’t play Test cricket regularly enough.

Also, the sheer amount of cricket that is played these days will force players to manage their workload. If Tendulkar’s record of 200 Tests is ever to be broken, it will take one hell of an effort.

6. 15,921: The most Test runs

How could the great Sachin Tendulkar only get a mention in terms of the number of games he played? Considered God in India, Tendulkar produced countless golden moments in his illustrious 24-year international career.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: Tendulkar’s incredible tally of 15,921 Test runs is one that will take some beating. You can also add his 51 centuries to this. England’s Alastair Cook was considered a chance, particularly after his great 2010/11 Ashes series. Of the current lot, the big four of Smith, Kohli, Root and Williamson need an unstoppable run of form spanning at least another decade. Even with Smith and Kohli’s superhuman efforts in particular, 15,921 is asking too much.

7. Most balls faced in a Test career: 31,258

Rahul Dravid wasn’t known as the “Wall” for no reason. One of the finest players to play the game, Dravid faced an incredible 31,258 deliveries (109 per innings) in his Test career.

To paint a picture, Tendulkar played 200 Tests and faced under 30,000. Ricky Ponting, Steve Waugh and Jacques Kallis all played more Tests than Dravid and none reached the 30,000 mark. Indeed, Dravid was such a great player as he could hold things together for India, enabling the others around him to flourish.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: Back to Steve Smith. The man is said to love batting so much that he even practices in the shower. Up until October 2019, Smith had faced 12,367 balls in 124 innings (99 per innings). At his current rate, he will need approximately another 189 innings to beat Rahul Dravid’s record. Too much to ask.

8. Mark Boucher’s 532 catches

Mark Boucher was an outstanding wicket-keeper for South Africa in Test cricket. His 532 catches remains the highest in Test cricket.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: Among active Test wicket-keepers, BJ Watling leads the way with 206. This record will stand for some time.

9. Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800 Test wickets

An incredible achievement that could very well never be broken. Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s spin-whiz, spun a web around many-a-batsmen in his illustrious 133-Test career.

Why this record is unlikely to be broken anytime soon: Of the current spinners, Nathan Lyon has the most wickets with 363, closely followed by Ravi Ashwin with 356. Good luck to anyone who thinks this record could be broken in the next 10 years.

10. Fastest to 10,000 ODI runs

Note, this is the only limited-overs record in the list, given that many, including Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 18,426 ODI runs, could be broken. In T20 Cricket, anything can happen. Test records, especially these days, are harder to break.

However, Virat Kohli continues to achieve great things in ODI cricket. Firstly, the current Indian captain on track to beat Tendulkar’s record of 49 hundreds. Second, he needs 6,906 runs (as of October 2019) to reach Tendulkar’s 18,426 runs. At his current rate, Kohli will need approximately 143 matches to reach this mark. Very possible at age 31.

But, Kohli’s record of achieving 10,000 ODI runs in 205 innings is a record that will be mighty difficult to beat. You need remarkable consistency to achieve this feat, and at the moment, this record seems very unlikely to be broken in the next 5-10 years.

So, are there any records you think will be very difficult to beat in the next 10 years? Leave a comment!

Thanks for reading!