5 insane career records due to low playing activity

If one aspect of cricket lies in the glorious victories, the fan flurries, and exquisite gameplay, the other aspect involves the statistics of averages, strike rate, and score projections.

For a batsman, the averages and the strike rates are the most important facet which in the modern day has proved to of paramount importance in the selection whilst the bowler's economy rates and strike rates are vital factors as well.

However, we take a look at 5 insane and formidable career records primarily due to low playing activity:

---

#5 Shane Bond

The Kiwis boast of a profound history of producing bowlers with great variations and also bowlers who showcase proficient discipline. Speedster Shane Bond was someone who could do both these things, along with extreme pace.

In the history of New Zealand cricket, Bond is one of the fastest bowlers with his highest recorded speed being 156.2 km/h against South Africa in the 2003 ICC World Cup.

However, an injury-plagued career resulted in Bond playing just 18 Test matches. However, he managed to scalp as many as 87 wickets at a staggering strike rate of 38.76 with 5 five-wicket hauls.

#4 Andre Botha

Botha's T20 bowling average is 8.76.

The South African born all-rounder bats left-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. After enjoying a good start at the domestic level, Botha was finally drafted into the ODI side in 2006.

With a sumptuous run in the World Cricket League and Ireland's best ever World Cup of 2007, Botha ended the season with an impeccable average of 120.20. His bowling exploits were decent enough as well but he garnered a splendid bowling record once he began playing in the T20 Internationals which happened to be from 2008 in his case.

He represented Ireland in a total of 14 games in T20 format and scalped 21 wickets. He boasts an average of a mere 8.76 in T20 format, also, his strike rate is well under 10 at just 9.7 which for any bowler is a flabbergasting stat in cricket.

#3 Matthew Hayden

Hayden ended his T20I career with an average of 51.33

To possess an average in excess of 40 in any format of cricket is regarded highly by the cricketing fraternity and Matthew Hayden is one of the game's greatest player to do so in all three formats he has represented Australia in.

Despite being the protagonist at the top of the order in Tests and ODIs for Australia, Hayden has managed to play T20 Internationals only 9 times owing to the fact that the emergence of T20 was in the final phase of his career.

Well, that didn't stop the aggressive opener from collecting some amazing accolades in the game. Hayden boasts a terrific average of 51.33 in the T20 version of the game along with 4 fifties. Surely, age was just a number for the powerful Haydos.

#2 Adam Voges

Voges has the second best Test average in history with 61.87

The all-rounder was a late bloomer in the Australian cricket setup. It was only in the year 2007, that Voges made his debut in the ODI at the age of 27. However, his Test debut was at an age where most of the players contemplate retirement; an age of 33.

Despite starting his Test career late, Voges consolidated a strong position in the history books as his Test average of 61.87 is second only to the great Sir Donald Bradman's 99.94.

Voges played a total of 20 matches in his 18-month long career where he amassed a total of 1485 runs which comprised of 5 centuries with his best score being an unbeaten 269 against the West Indies.

#1 Ryan ten Doeschate

Ryan ten Doeschate boasts the best ODI average of 67.00

If Ryan ten Doeschate represented the full members of the ICC, then probably he could have been one of the most terrific players to have played the game of cricket. The Netherland all-rounder who current is a T20 freelancer has represented his country in 33 ODI and 9 T20I games.

However, the right-hander has made the most of the chances available as he amassed a spectacular 1541 runs in the ODI career along with 5 centuries. But the most awe-inspiring aspect is his ODI average of a mammoth 67.

In the modern day cricket, an average of 67 is close to being surpassable and hence ten Doeschate has cemented himself to be one of the most proficient players in the game's history.