Playing 150 matches in Test cricket is a big achievement for players. One needs to maintain a high level of fitness coupled with supreme form.
Thus far, only a handful of players have managed to join the elite club of 150 Tests for their respective teams. Since it’s a special occasion for a player, they aim to turn it into a memorable day by putting out strong performances.
But there have been a few instances where some players had rather disappointing outings, scoring ducks in their special Test.
On that note, let’s look at the batters who got out on a duck in their 150th Test match.
1. Steve Waugh (Australia) vs Pakistan | 2002
Steve Waugh is among the most successful captains who led a dominant Australian side in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In October 2002, he became the first batter to bag a duck in this 150th Test match. Steve donned his baggy green for the 150th time in a Test against Pakistan in Sharjah.
Australia were on top of Pakistan after wrapping them up for 59 runs in the first innings. Then the Aussies were in a good position at 145 for one in their batting essay.
But they lost the wickets of Ricky Ponting and his younger brother Mark Waugh within a span of three runs. So Steve came out to bat, but he followed his brother back into the hut. He got out on the first ball he faced, scoring a golden duck in a historic game.
Steve finished his Test career with 168 caps, scoring 10927 runs at an impressive average of 51.06, including 32 centuries and 50 half-centuries.
2. Ricky Ponting (Australia) vs England | 2010
Steve’s successor, Ricky Ponting, also joined him on this list. Coincidentally, Ponting also featured in 168 Test matches for Australia.
Speaking of his 150th red-ball game, the former Aussie captain played the milestone match against England in the 2010 Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Ponting won the toss and decided to bat first. The decision, though, didn’t go well for him and his team.
Australia had a horrible start to their first innings, losing Simon Katich and Ponting in the first over. On the fourth ball of the opening over, Katich got run out, prompting Punter to stride out.
But it was a short stay on the crease, as he edged the ball to the second slip on his first delivery. Ponting returned to the pavilion with a golden duck to his name. In the second dig as well, he mustered nine runs off 19 balls.
Ponting bowed out of cricket as the most successful captain, winning many Tests and ICC trophies. He also scored 13378 Test runs at an average of 51.85, including 41 centuries and 62 fifties.
3. Joe Root (England) vs New Zealand | 2024
Joe Root became the latest entrant on this unceremonious list. He got his 150th Test cap against New Zealand in the 2024 Mount Maunganui match.
England were out to bat following New Zealand’s first innings end on 348. They had a bit of a shaky start, losing the first two wickets on 43.
Root then walked in at No. 4, though he lasted for four balls without adding any runs. Nathan Smith clean-bowled the former England skipper, sending him back to the dugout.
Root is one of the best modern-day batters in Test cricket, with close to 13000 runs under his belt.
Read Next | Players who Achieved No. 1 ICC Rankings in All Three Formats
Leave a Reply