7 startling first-class cricket records

Cricket is a game which is played in three main prospects, namely, batting, bowling and fielding. Whenever the game is played, it is bound to bring about a few records too. Be it the six sixes in an over, Muralitharans record number of wickets, Sachin Tendulkars number of runs scored, many people are familiar with these records as they are broadcasted on an international level.However, when it comes to first-class cricket, the matches played consist of squads represented by young players looking to make a mark in the circuit to get a national call-up one day and it seems like just an opportunity to play amongst the few big names.Most of the games are overlooked as the squads playing are not fully comprised of international stars and the games are not broadcasted on an international level. However, there have been occasions in first-class cricket, where stupendous records have been set, which have not been upstaged up to date.Let us take a look at 7 of these such achievements:

#1 Most number of centuries and runs by Sir Jack Hobbs

Hobbs - the run machine

When it comes to the most number of centuries scored and runs mustered in a career at the international level, ‘master blaster’ Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for both.

If there was ever a player Sachin could be compared to at first-class cricket level, it would certainly be Englishman Sir Jack Hobbs. Affectionately called ‘The Master’. Having represented Surrey for over three decades, Hobbs was the most feared batsman of his time and was like a well-oiled machine while wielding the bat.

In the 834 matches he represented the English county team, he managed to score over 60,000 runs at a prolific average of just over 50. He currently holds the record for the most number of runs and the most number of centuries scored in first-class cricket with 61,760 runs and 199 centuries.

#2 Brian Lara\'s 501* against Durham

Lara on his way to a world record score

Brian Lara, the left-handed West Indian holds the record for the highest score in a Test match with his 400*. Apart from this, the stylish left-hander also holds the record for the highest score in a first-class cricket match.

Against Durham in 1994, the sparse Edgbaston crowd were treated to an absolute marvel as Lara who blasted his way to a record-breaking 501 not out for Warwickshire, the highest score in first-class history, which beat previous highest score of 499 by legendary Pakistani batsman Hanif Mohammed.

Although it seemed like lady luck favoured Lara’s side when on scores of 12 and 18, nothing was to be taken away from Lara who scored faster than run-a-ball, lacing his 501* off 427 balls with 62 fours and 10 sixes.

Of the 501 runs that he scored, almost 61% of the runs came in boundaries.

#3 Rajiv Nayyar\'s marathon Innings (1015 minutes)

Marathon man Nayyar

In November 1999 during one of the first-class matches, Himachal Pradesh were at the threshold of defeat. Captain Nayyar walked in and played a captain’s innings for almost two and a half days or a total of 1015 minutes beating the record for the longest first class innings of all time and in the process, saving the match for his team.

Just like Hanif Mohammed’s marathon 337 in 950 minutes against West Indies in 1958, which saved his side from a loss, Nayyar’s innings also averted disaster for his side, who were staring down the barrel.

Nayyar displayed extreme patience and endurance to take Himachal Pradesh onto safe shores, helping his team to draw the match when it seemed like an easy victory for their opponents Jammu and Kashmir.

During this knock, the HP lad scored the first ever double century by any player for Himachal Pradesh and his knock of 271 runs lasted a tremendous 728 balls with 26 hits to the boundary and just one hit over the boundary.

#4 Wilfred Rhodes: the perfect all-rounder

Rhodes was the perfect all-rounder

If anyone is questioned about the world’s best all-rounders, in a split second, the answers will flow out. Kapil dev, Gary Sobers, Jacques Kallis, Imran Khan etc. When we actually look at stats in depth, Wilfred Rhodes, the Englishman would clearly stand on top amongst the greats, at least at the first-class level.

In the career which spanned over three decades, Rhodes was the go-to man for his team captain, and his stats at the FC level prove just that. Although he started his career as a slow left-arm orthodox bowler who could bat a bit, he developed his game to such a standard which made him a genuine all-rounder.

In the 1,110 matches that Rhodes played in his first-class career, he managed to grab a stellar 4,204 wickets and even has 39,969 runs under his belt. With almost 40,000 runs and over 4,000 wickets, there can be little doubting his credentials.

Aside from being very good in all facets of the game, he also holds two records, one for the most first-class matches played and another for most wickets taken.

#5 Tich Freeman, only member of the 300 club.

Tich Freeman, the fiery leg spinner.

In first class cricket nowadays it is common to see bowlers end a season with a maximum of 40-50 wickets. If at peak form, maybe over 60 wickets.

Tich Freeman with his conventional leg breaks managed to pick up a whopping 304 wickets in a single English season, smashing the record in first-class cricket for the most number of wickets taken is a single season.

• At the peak of his from, Freeman picked up an average of 11-12 wickets per match at a paltry average of 15.3. Not only does he hold the record for the most number of wickets in a single season, he also holds many other records too.

1. 1673 wickets in six consecutive seasons, average of 250+ wickets per season.
3. 17-for twice, 10 wickets in an inning thrice.
5. 2nd highest first-class wicket-taker (3776) behind Wilfred Rhodes.

#6 R. Thomas Perks, the \'walking wicket\'

Reg Perks (L) with MCC England cricketers

There have been many times when we have witnessed great bowlers who can stifle the batsman with their pace or variations in bowling, but are at the same time appalling with the bat. That is the case of Reginald Thomas David ‘Reg’ Perks, who was a mainstay in the Worcestershire’s squad for the mid-20th century.

As a bowler, Reginald Perks was quite handy at all situations, picking up wickets at crucial times for his side. Seeing his consistent performances, Perks was also made skipper of the squad and earned a call-up to the national side. During his FC career, he picked up 2233 wickets at a reasonable average of 24.07.

Apart from this though, he holds an embarrassing record for the most number of ducks recorded by a batsman in first-class cricket with 156 ducks. In the 595 matches he played, he averaged just 12, but had a top score of 75.

#7 Biggest win margin in terms of runs.

Pakistan batsman in action

In the year 1964, history was created. In the city of Lahore, a match between Pakistan Railways and Dera Ismail Khan, which was a small city near a province in Pakistan, witnessed the biggest win in terms of runs in a first-class match.

Pakistan Railways were the victors, with an eye-catching victory of an innings and 851 runs, which is the biggest victory to this day,

Railways skipper Bashir Haider won the toss, he chose to bat to which his team responded brilliantly by posting a mammoth 910-6 declared. After the declaration, once the Dera innings started, the spectators were shocked the scenes unfolding in front of them.

From the start of the Dera 1st innings to the end of the 2nd innings, all of it lasted a paltry 29 overs. In the first innings, Dera were bundled out for a meagre 32 runs with Afaq khan, a premier fast bowler at that time picking a seven-for.

In the second innings, the batting got even worse and lasted three overs lesser than the first innings, falling in 12.3 overs for an insignificant 27 with leg-spinner Ahad Khan spinning a inescapable web to grab 9 wickets, sealing the match for the Pakistan Railways team.