List of South Africa Test cricket records explained

Test cricket is the oldest form of cricket played at international level.[1] A Test match is scheduled to take place over a period of five days, and is played by teams representing full member nations of the International Cricket Council (ICC).[2] [3] This is a list of South African Test cricket records. It is based on the List of Test cricket records, but concentrates solely on records dealing with the South African Test cricket team, and any cricketers who have played for them.

Key

The top five records are listed for each category, except for the team wins, losses, draws and ties and the partnership records. Tied records for fifth place are also included. Explanations of the general symbols and cricketing terms used in the list are given below. Specific details are provided in each category where appropriate. All records include matches played for India only, and are correct .

Key
scope=col Symbolscope=col Meaning
scope=row Player or umpire is currently active in Test cricket
scope=row Player remained not out or partnership remained unbroken
scope=row style=background:#cee0f2; Test cricket record
scope=row dInnings was declared (e.g. 8/758d)
scope=row DateStarting date of the Test match
scope=row InningsNumber of innings played
scope=row MatchesNumber of matches played
scope=row OppositionThe team India was playing against
scope=row PeriodThe time period when the player was active in Test cricket
scope=row PlayerThe player involved in the record
scope=row VenueTest cricket ground where the match was played

Team records

Overall Record

MatchesWonLostDrawnTiedWin %
459 177 158 125 0 38.56
.Last Updated: 11 March 2023[4]

Team wins, losses, draws and ties

, South Africa has played 459 Test matches resulting in 177 victories, 158 defeats and 124 draws for an overall winning percentage of 38.56.[4]

OpponentMatchesWonLostDrawTied% Won% Lost% Drew
101 26 54 21 0 25.74 53.46 20.79
14 12 0 2 0 85.71 0.00 14.28
156 35 66 55 0 22.43 42.30 35.25
44 18 16 10 0 40.90 36.36 23.80
49 26 7 16 0 53.06 14.28 34.04
28 15 6 7 0 53.57 21.42 25.00
31 16 9 6 0 51.61 29.03 19.35
33 22 3 8 0 66.66 9.09 21.87
9 8 0 1 0 88.88 0.00 11.11
[5]

First Test series wins

Opponent Year of first Home win Year of first Away win
YTP YTP
2009
20022003
1935
2000
YTP YTP
1932
1997
1993
19992001
19991995
Last updated: 20 June 2020[6]

First Test match wins

Opponent Home Away
Venue Year Venue Year
YTP YTP YTP YTP
1911
Durban20022004
1935
1996
YTP YTP YTP YTP
1932
1997
1993
2001
1995
Last updated: 20 June 2020[7]

Team scoring records

Most runs in an innings

The highest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the series between Sri Lanka and India in August 1997. Playing in the first Test at R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, the hosts posted a first innings total of 6/952d. This broke the longstanding record of 7/903d which England set against Australia in the final Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval. The second Test of the 2003 series against the England saw South Africa set their highest innings total of 682/6d.[8] [9]

scope=col Rankscope=col Scorescope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
1Lord's Cricket Ground, London, England
2Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
3Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa
4The Oval, London, England
5Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[10]

Highest successful run chases

South Africa's highest fourth innings total is 450/7 in an unsuccessful run chase against India at Johannesburg in December 2013. India had set a target of 457. South Africa's second highest fourth innings total of 423/7 came in another draw against England at The Oval in 1947. South Africa's highest successful run chase occurred against Australia at Perth in 2008, and is also the second highest successful fourth innings total. Australia had set South Africa a target of 414[11]

scope=col Rankscope=col Scorescope=col Targetscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 414WACA Ground, Perth, Australia
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 335Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 295Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 284Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 281Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
Last updated: 20 June 2020[12]

Fewest runs in an innings

The lowest innings total scored in Test cricket came in the second Test of England's tour of New Zealand in March 1955. Trailing England by 46, New Zealand was bowled out in their second innings for 26 runs.[13] The lowest score in Test history for South Africa is 30 scored twice against England in 1896 and 1924.[14]

scope=col Rankscope=col Scorescope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center rowspan=21scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=230St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 35Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 36Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 43Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[15]

Most runs conceded in an innings

The highest innings total scored against South Africa is by Sri Lanka when they scored 756/5d in the first Test of the South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka in 2006 at Sinhalese Sports Club Ground.

scope=col Rankscope=col Scorescope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Antigua Recreation Ground, St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
Last updated: 23 August 2020[16]

Fewest runs conceded in an innings

The lowest innings total scored against South Africa is 45 in the first test of New Zealand's tour of South Africa in 2013[14]

scope=col Rankscope=col Scorescope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 45Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 47
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 49Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 53Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 54Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town South Africa
Last updated: 19 August 2022[17]

Result records

A Test match is won when one side has scored more runs than the total runs scored by the opposing side during their two innings. If both sides have completed both their allocated innings and the side that fielded last has the higher aggregate of runs, it is known as a win by runs. This indicates the number of runs that they had scored more than the opposing side. If one side scores more runs in a single innings than the total runs scored by the other side in both their innings, it is known as a win by innings and runs. If the side batting last wins the match, it is known as a win by wickets, indicating the number of wickets that were still to fall.[18]

Greatest win margins (by innings)

The fifth Test of the 1938 Ashes series at The Oval saw England win by an innings and 579 runs, the largest victory by an innings in Test cricket history. The largest victory for South Africa, which is the 17th largest, is there win against Bangladesh in the first Test of the 2017 tour at the Mangaung Oval, where the hosts won by an innings and 254 runs.[19]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Innings and 254 runsMangaung Oval, Bloemfontein, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Innings and 229 runsNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa
3scope=row style=text-align:centerInnings and 220 runsCenturion Park, Centurion, South Africa
4scope=row style=text-align:centerInnings and 219 runsHarare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Innings and 208 runsSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 20 June 2020[20]

Greatest win margins (by runs)

The greatest winning margin by runs in Test cricket was England's victory over Australia by 675 runs in the first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series. The largest victory recorded by South Africa, which is the fourth largest victory, is the final Test of the 2018 series against Australia by 492 runs.[21]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 492 runsNew Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 358 runs
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 356 runsLord's, London, England
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 351 runsCenturion Park, Centurion, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 340 runsTrent Bridge, Nottingham, England
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Greatest win margins (by 10 wickets)

South Africa have won a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 9 occasions.[20]

scope=col Rankscope=col Victoriesscope=col Oppositionscope=col Most recent venuescope=col Date
align=center 1align=center 3Headingley, Leeds, England
align=center 2align=center 2Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center rowspan=43align=center rowspan=41Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
Sahara Stadium, Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Last updated: 5 January 2021

Narrowest win margins (by runs)

South Africa's narrowest win by runs was against Australia in the second Test of the 1993-94 tour at Sydney Cricket Ground. Set 117 runs for victory in the final innings, Australia were bowled all out for 111 to give victory to South Africa by five runs. This was the sixth-narrowest win in Test cricket, with the narrowest being the West Indies' one-run win over Australia in 1993.[22]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, Sri Lanka
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center;
Last updated: 20 June 2020[23]

Narrowest win margins (by wickets)

South Africa's narrowest win by wickets came in the first Test of the English cricket team in South Africa in 1905-06 in January 1906. Played at the Old Wanderers Stadium, the hosts won the match by a margin of one wicket, one of only fourteen one-wicket victories in Test cricket.[24]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1align=center 1 wicketOld Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center rowspan=2 2align=center rowspan=2 3 wicketsOld Trafford, Manchester, England
Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
align=center rowspan=64align=center rowspan=64 wicketsNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, India
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Greatest loss margins (by innings)

The Oval in London played host the greatest defeat by an innings in Test cricket.[19] The final Test of the 1938 Ashes saw England defeat the tourists by an innings and 579 runs, to the draw the series at one match all.[25] South Africa's biggest defeat came at home during the Australian tour in 2002 when they lost by an innings and 360 runs at Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.[26]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" Innings and 360 runsWanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Innings and 276 runsHagley Oval, Christchurch, New Zealand
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Innings and 259 runsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
align=center rowspan=24scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=2Innings and 202 runsNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa
JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi, India
Last updated: 19 February 2022

Greatest loss margins (by runs)

The first Test of the 1928–29 Ashes series saw Australia defeated by England by 675 runs, the greatest losing margin by runs in Test cricket.[21] South Africa's biggest defeat by runs was against England in the fourth Test of the 1910-11 tour at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 530 runsMelbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 337 runsArun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi, India
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 313 runsSinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 312 runsNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 288 runsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Greatest loss margins (by 10 wickets)

South Africa have lost a Test match by a margin of 10 wickets on 12 occasions with most recent being during the 3rd test of the South Africa's tour of Australia in 2001-02.

scope=col Rankscope=col Occurrencesscope=col Oppositionscope=col Most recent venuescope=col Most recent date
align=center rowspan=21align=center rowspan=26Lord's, London, England
Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Narrowest loss margins (by runs)

The narrowest loss of South Africa in terms of runs is by 23 runs against England in the fifth test of the South Africa's tour of England in 1998.[27]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 23 runsHeadingley Cricket Ground, Leeds, England
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center 29 runsKingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center 32 runsOld Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 40 runsSt George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center 52 runsKensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Narrowest loss margins (by wickets)

The narrowest loss of South Africa in terms of wickets is by 1 wicket, once against England and twice against Sri Lanka.[27]

scope=col Rankscope=col Marginscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
1scope=row style=text-align:center rowspan=31 wicketNewlands, Cape Town, South Africa
P Sara Oval, Colombo, Sri Lanka
Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
4scope=row style=text-align:center rowspan=52 wickets
St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Individual records

Batting records

Most career runs

South Africa's Jacques Kallis has scored the third highest runs in Test cricket with 13,206. He is the only South African batsman to have scored more than 10,000 runs in Test cricket.[28]

scope=col Rankscope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 13,206align=center 165align=center 2781995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 9,282align=center 124align=center 2152004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 9,253align=center 116align=center 2032002–2014
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 8,765align=center 114align=center 1912004–2018
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 7,289align=center 101align=center 1761993–2004
align=center 6scope=row style=text-align:center; 6,167Herschelle Gibbsalign=center 90align=center 1541996–2008
align=center 7scope=row style=text-align:center; 5,498Mark Boucheralign=center 146align=center 2041997–2012
align=center 8scope=row style=text-align:center; 5,347Dean Elgaralign=center 86align=center 1522012–2024
align=center 9scope=row style=text-align:center; 4,554Daryll Cullinanalign=center 70align=center 1151993–2001
align=center 10scope=row style=text-align:center; 4,163Faf du Plessisalign=center 69align=center 1182012–2021
Last updated: 3 January 2024[29]

Most runs against each team

scope=col Oppositionscope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Periodscope=col Ref
scope=row style="text-align:center;" colspan=6YTP
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 2,068align=center 24align=center 452005–2018[30]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 743align=center 8align=center 92002–2008[31]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 2,732align=center 30align=center 571929–1949[32]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1,734align=center 18align=center 312000–2013[33]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" colspan=6YTP
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1,919align=center 18align=center 281999–2013[34]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1,564align=center 19align=center 331997–2013[35]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 917align=center 11align=center 191993–2001[36]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 2,356align=center 24align=center 431998–2010[37]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 679align=center 6align=center 71999–2005[38]
Last updated: 12 January 2021.

Fastest runs getter

RunsBatsmanMatchInningsRecord DateReference
1,000121731 July 2003[39]
2,00021405 February 1970[40]
3,000376324 April 2005[41]
4,00055912 January 2004[42]
5,0006310813 January 2005[43]
6,0007412812 February 2014[44]
7,0009015131 March 2005[45]
8,00010117018 May 2006[46]
9,0001101888 November 2007[47]
10,00012921726 February 2009[48]
11,00013923418 June 2010[49]
12,00014724917 November 2011[50]
13,0001592632 January 2013[51]
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Most runs in each batting position

Batting positionBatsmanInningsRunsAverageTest Career SpanRef
Opener196 9,030 49.08 2002–2014[52]
Number 3174 7,993 49.96 2004–2019[53]
Number 4170 9,033 61.87 1995–2013[54]
Number 5 74 3,913 62.11 2004-2018[55]
Number 650 2,394 52.04 2004–2018[56]
Number 7124 2,939 26.01 1997–2012[57]
Number 879 1,796 30.97 1995-2008[58]
Number 937 804 26.80 2000–2006[59]
Number 1061 568 11.83 2004–2019[60]
Number 1176 344 9.05 1998-2009[61]
Last updated: 1 July 2020. Qualificaiotn: Batted 20 Innings at the position

Highest individual score

The first test of the South Africa's tour of England in 2012 saw Hashim Amla score the only triple century by a South African and record South Africa's highest Individual score.[62]

scope=col Rankscope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 311*The Oval, London, England
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 278*Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 277Edgbaston, Birmingham, England
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 275*Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 275Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Highest individual score – progression of record

scope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Opponentscope=col Venuescope=col Season
29St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa 1888-89
40Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1896-97
41
861898–99
106Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
147Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1905-06
204Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia 1910-11
231Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa 1935-36
235Headingley, Leeds, England 1951
255*Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand 1952–53
274Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa 1969-70
275Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand 1998-99
277Edgbaston, Birmingham, England 2003
278*Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE 2010-11
311*The Oval, London, England 2012
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Highest individual score against each team

scope=col Oppositionscope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Venuescope=col Datescope=col Ref
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=5YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 274Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa[63]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 232Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh[64]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 311*The Oval, London, England[65]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 253*Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur, India[66]
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=5YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 275*Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand[67]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 278*Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE[68]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 224Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa[69]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 208Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa[70]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 220Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe[71]
Last updated: 12 January 2021.

Highest career average

A batsman's batting average is the total number of runs they have scored divided by the number of times they have been dismissed.[72]

scope=col Rankscope=col Averagescope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Not outscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 60.97align=center 41align=center 2,256align=center 41963–1970
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 55.25align=center 278align=center 13,206align=center 391995–2013
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 53.81align=center 62align=center 2,960align=center 71935–1951
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 50.66align=center 191align=center 8,765align=center 182004–2019
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 49.08align=center 39align=center 1,669align=center 51961–1966
Qualification: 20 innings. Last updated: 20 June 2020[73]

Highest Average in each batting position

Batting positionBatsmanInningsRunsAverageCareer SpanRef
OpenerBruce Mitchell48 2,390 56.90 1929–1949[74]
Number 3Hashim Amla174 7,993 49.96 2004–2019[75]
Number 4Graeme Pollock37 2,065 62.58 1963–1970[76]
Number 5 AB de Villiers74 3,913 62.11 2004–2018[77]
Number 650 2,394 52.04 2004–2018[78]
Number 723 1,051 58.38 1992–1998[79]
Number 8Mark Boucher47 1,387 36.50 1997–2012[80]
Number 9Shaun Pollock20 534 41.07 1995–2007[81]
Number 10Peter Pollock20 292 22.46 1964–1970[82]
Number 11Allan Donald32 204 13.60 1992–2002[83]
Last updated: 1 July 2020. Qualification: Min 20 innings batted at position

Most half-centuries

A half-century is a score of between 50 and 99 runs. Statistically, once a batsman's score reaches 100, it is no longer considered a half-century but a century.

Sachin Tendulkar of India has scored the most half-centuries in Test cricket with 68. He is followed by the West Indies' Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 66, India's Rahul Dravid and Allan Border of Australia on 63 and in fifth with 62 fifties to his name, Australia's Ricky Ponting. Jacques Kallis is the highest rated South African with 58 fifties to his name.[84]

scope=col Rankscope=col Half centuriesscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 58align=center 278align=center 13,2061995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center;46align=center 191align=center 8,7652004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center;41align=center 215align=center 9,2822004–2019
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 38align=center 203align=center 9,2532002–2014
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 35align=center 204align=center 5,4981997–2012
Last updated: 20 June 2020[85]

Most centuries

A century is a score of 100 or more runs in a single innings.

Tendulkar has also scored the most centuries in Test cricket with 51. South Africa's Jacques Kallis is next on 45 and Ricky Ponting with 41 hundreds is in third.[86]

scope=col Rankscope=col Centuriesscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 45align=center 278align=center 13,2061995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 28align=center 215align=center 9,2822004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 27align=center 203align=center 9,2532002–2014
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 22align=center 191align=center 8,7652004–2019
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 21align=center 176align=center 7,2891993–2004
Last updated: 20 June 2020[87]

Most double centuries

A double century is a score of 200 or more runs in a single innings.

Bradman holds the Test record for the most double centuries scored with twelve, one ahead of Sri Lanka's Kumar Sangakkara who finished his career with eleven. In third is Brian Lara of the West Indies with nine. England's Wally Hammond and Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka both scored seven double centuries. Graeme Smith has scored the most double centuries for South Africa, with 5.[88]

scope=col Rankscope=col Double centuriesscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 5align=center 203align=center 9,2532002–2014
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 4align=center 215align=center 9,2822004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 3align=center 176align=center 7,2891993–2004
align=center rowspan=54scope=row style="text-align:center;" rowspan=52align=center 214align=center 10,1221971–1987
align=center 62align=center 2,9601935–1951
align=center 154align=center 6,1671996–2008
align=center 191align=center 8,7652004–2019
align=center 278align=center 13,2061995–2013
Last updated: 20 June 2020[89]

Most triple centuries

A triple century is a score of 300 or more runs in a single innings.

Hashim Amla is the only South African to have scored a triple century for South Africa.[90]

scope=col Rankscope=col Double centuriesscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1align=center 215align=center 9,2822004–2019
Last updated: 20 June 2020[91]

Most Sixes

scope=col Rankscope=col Sixesscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 96align=center 278align=center 13,2061995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 64align=center 191align=center 8,7652004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 47align=center 154align=center 6,1671996–2008
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 36align=center 119align=center 1,2512004–2019
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 35align=center 156align=center 3,7811995–2008
Last updated: 20 June 2020[92]

Most Fours

scope=col Rankscope=col Foursscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1,477align=center 278align=center 13,2061995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 1,170align=center 215align=center 9,2822004–2019
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 1,164align=center 203align=center 9,2532002–2014
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 1,024align=center 191align=center 8,7652004–2019
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 922align=center 176align=center 7,2891993–2004
Last updated: 20 June 2020[93]

Most runs in a series

The 1930 Ashes series in England saw Don Bradman set the record for the most runs scored in a single series, falling just 26 short of 1,000 runs. He is followed by Wally Hammond with 905 runs scored in the 1928–29 Ashes series. Aubrey Faulkner with 732 in the 1910 tour of Australia is the highest South African on the list.[94]

scope=col Rankscope=col Runsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Series
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 732align=center rowspan=25align=center 10
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 714align=center 9
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 712align=center 4align=center 6
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 625align=center rowspan=25align=center 10
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 6219
Last updated: 20 June 2020[95]

Most ducks

A duck refers to a batsman being dismissed without scoring a run.[96] Morne Morkel has scored the equal sixteen-highest number of ducks in Test cricket.[97] Glenn McGrath has scored the equal third-highest number of ducks in Test cricket behind Courtney Walsh with 43 and Chris Martin with 36.[97]

scope=col Rankscope=col Ducksscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 22align=center 86align=center 1042006–2018
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 21align=center 101align=center 1161998–2009
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 19align=center 63align=center 972015–2023
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 17align=center 72align=center 941992–2002
align=center rowspan=25scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=216align=center 146align=center 2041997–2012
align=center 165align=center 2781995–2013
Last updated: 11 August 2024[98]

Bowling records

Most career wickets

A bowler takes the wicket of a batsman when the form of dismissal is bowled, caught, leg before wicket, stumped or hit wicket. If the batsman is dismissed by run out, obstructing the field, handling the ball, hitting the ball twice or timed out the bowler does not receive credit.

South Africa's Dale Steyn is eight on the list, having taken 439 wickets.

scope=col Rankscope=col Wicketsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 439align=center 93align=center 171align=center 10,0772004–2019
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 421align=center 108align=center 202align=center 9,7331995–2008
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 390align=center 101align=center 190align=center 11,2421998–2009
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 330align=center 72align=center 129align=center 7,3441992–2002
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 309align=center 86align=center 160align=center 8,5502006–2018
align=center 6scope=row style=text-align:center; 299Kagiso Rabadaalign=center 64align=center 116align=center 6,6032015–2024
align=center 7scope=row style=text-align:center; 291Jacques Kallisalign=center 165align=center 270align=center 9,4971995–2013
align=center 8scope=row style=text-align:center; 224Vernon Philanderalign=center 64align=center 119align=center 5,0002011–2020
align=center 9scope=row style=text-align:center; 171Keshav Maharajalign=center 52align=center 87align=center 5,2642016–2024
align=center 10scope=row style=text-align:center; 170Hugh Taylfieldalign=center 37align=center 61align=center 4,4051949–1960
Last updated: 17 August 2024[99]

Most career wickets against each team

scope=col Oppositionscope=col Wicketsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Runsscope=col Periodscope=col Ref
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=7YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 70align=center 15align=center 28align=center 1,9232008–2016[100]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 35align=center 8align=center 16align=center 5732002–2008[101]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 91align=center 23align=center 42align=center 2,1601995–2005[102]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 65align=center 14align=center 23align=center 1,4002008–2018[103]
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=7YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 68align=center 12align=center 23align=center 1,0912008–2016[104]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 59align=center 13align=center 26align=center 1,3742007–2019[105]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 48align=center 13align=center 24align=center 1,0721998–2006[106]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 70align=center 16align=center 31align=center 1,6071998–2008[107]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 23align=center 5align=center 10align=center 3561999–2005[108]
Last updated: 12 January 2021

Fastest wicket taker

WicketsBowlerMatchRecord DateReference
scope=row style="text-align:center;"50723 March 2012[109]
scope=row style="text-align:center;"1001918 December 2013[110]
scope=row style="text-align:center;"1502924 December 1949[111]
scope=row style="text-align:center;" 2003910 June 2010[112]
scope=row style="text-align:center;"2504915 December 2011[113]
scope=row style="text-align:center;"300612 January 2013[114]
scope=row style="text-align:center;"3506926 December 2013[115]
4008030 July 2015[116]
Last updated: 20 June 2020

Best figures in an innings

Bowling figures refers to the number of the wickets a bowler has taken and the number of runs conceded.[117] There have been two occasions in Test cricket where a bowler has taken all ten wickets in a single innings – Jim Laker of England took 10/53 against Australia in 1956 and India's Anil Kumble in 1999 returned figures of 10/74 against Pakistan. Hugh Tayfield and Keshav Maharaj are one of 15 bowlers who have taken nine wickets in a Test match innings.[118]

scope=col Rankscope=col Figuresscope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[119]

Best figures in an innings against each team

scope=col Oppositionscope=col Figuresscope=col Playerscope=col Venuescope=col Datescope=col Reference
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=5YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 7/23Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa[120]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 7/32Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa[121]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 9/113Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa[122]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 8/64Eden Gardens, Kolkata, India[123]
scope=row style=text-align:center; colspan=5YTP
scope=row style=text-align:center; 8/53Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa[124]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 7/29Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa[125]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 9/129Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka[126]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 7/37Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago[127]
scope=row style=text-align:center; 8/71Harare Sports Club, Harare, Zimbabwe[128]
Last updated: 12 January 2021

Best figures in a match

A bowler's bowling figures in a match is the sum of the wickets taken and the runs conceded over both innings.

No bowler in the history of Test cricket has taken all 20 wickets in a match. The closest to do so was English spin bowler Jim Laker. During the fourth Test of the 1956 Ashes series, Laker took 9/37 in the first innings and 10/53 in the second to finish with match figures of 19/90. Makhaya Ntini, with figures of 13/132, taken during the second match of the South Africa tour of West Indies in 2005, is the best in Test cricket for South Africa.[129]

scope=col Rankscope=col Figuresscope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Old Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[130]

Best career average

A bowler's bowling average is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of wickets they have taken.Nineteenth century English medium pacer George Lohmann holds the record for the best career average in Test cricket with 10.75. J. J. Ferris, one of fifteen cricketers to have played Test cricket for more than one team,[131] is second behind Lohmann with an overall career average of 12.70 runs per wicket.[132]

scope=col Rankscope=col Averagescope=col Playerscope=col Wicketsscope=col Runsscope=col Ballsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 21.10Neil Adcockalign=center 104align=center 2,195align=center 6,3911953–1962
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 21.93Duanne Ollivieralign=center 59align=center 1,294align=center 2,0882017–2024
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 22.15Alf Hallalign=center 40align=center 886align=center 2,3611923–1931
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 22.25Allan Donaldalign=center 330align=center 7,344align=center 15,5191992–2002
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 22.32Vernon Philanderalign=center 224align=center 5,000align=center 11,3912011–2020
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 5 January 2023[133]

Best career economy rate

A bowler's economy rate is the total number of runs they have conceded divided by the number of overs they have bowled.[96] English bowler William Attewell, who played 10 matches for England between 1884 and 1892, holds the Test record for the best career economy rate with 1.31. South Africa's Trevor Goddard, with a rate of 1.64 runs per over conceded over his 41-match Test career, is third on the list.[134]

scope=col Rankscope=col Economy ratescope=col Playerscope=col Wicketsscope=col Runsscope=col Ballsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.64align=center 123align=center 3,226align=center 11,7361955–1970
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.74align=center 29align=center 816align=center 2,8051949–1957
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.79align=center 18align=center 710align=center 2,3741952–1954
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.94align=center 170align=center 4,405align=center 13,5681949–1960
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.98align=center 58align=center 1,920align=center 5,7961947–1951
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 20 June 2020[135]

Best career strike rate

A bowler's strike rate is the total number of balls they have bowled divided by the number of wickets they have taken.[96] As with the career average above, the top bowler with the best Test career strike rate is George Lohmann with strike rate of 34.1 balls per wicket. South Africa's Kagiso Rabada is at fourth position in this list.[136]

scope=col Rankscope=col Strike ratescope=col Playerscope=col Wicketsscope=col Runsscope=col Ballsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 38.8align=center 59align=center 1,432align=center 2,2922017–2024
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 39.4align=center 299align=center 6,603align=center 11,7882015–2024
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 42.3Dale Steynalign=center 439align=center 10,077align=center 18,6082004–2019
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 43.1Bert Vogler64align=center 1,455align=center 2,7641906–1911
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 43.6Anrich Nortje701,8703,0572019–2023
Qualification: 2,000 balls. Last updated: 17 August 2024[137]

Most five-wicket hauls in an innings

A five-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking five wickets in a single innings.[138] Dale Steyn is tenth on the list of most five-wicket hauls in Test cricket.[139]

scope=col Rankscope=col Five-wicket haulsscope=col Playerscope=col Inningsscope=col Ballsscope=col Wicketsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 26align=center 171align=center 18,608align=center 4392004–2019
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 20align=center 129align=center 15,519align=center 3301992–2002
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 18align=center 190align=center 20,834align=center 3901998–2009
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 16align=center 202align=center 24,353align=center 4211995–2008
align=center rowspan=2 5scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=2 1463align=center 11,788align=center 2992015–2024
6113,658align=center 1701949–1960
Last updated: 17 August 2024[140]

Most ten-wicket hauls in a match

A ten-wicket haul refers to a bowler taking ten or more wickets in a match over two innings.As with the five-wicket hauls above, Anil Kumble is not only behind Muralitharan, Warne and Hadlee, he is also behind Rangana Herath of Sri Lanka in taking the most ten-wicket hauls in Test cricket.[141]

scope=col Rankscope=col Ten-wicket haulsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Ballsscope=col Wicketsscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 5align=center 93align=center 18,608align=center 4392004–2019
align=center rowspan=22scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=24align=center 64align=center 11,788align=center 2992015–2024
align=center 101align=center 20,834align=center 3901998–2009
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 3align=center 72align=center 15,519align=center 3301992–2002
align=center rowspan=35scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=32align=center 37align=center 4,405align=center 1701949–1960
align=center 18align=center 2,063align=center 851993-1998
align=center 64align=center 11,391align=center 2242011–2020
Last updated: 17 August 2024[142]

Worst figures in an innings

The worst figures in a single innings in Test cricket came in the third Test between the West Indies at home to Pakistan in 1958. Pakistan's Khan Mohammad returned figures of 0/259 from his 54 overs in the second innings of the match.[143] [144] The worst figures by a South African is 0/221 that came off the bowling of Nicky Boje in the first test of the South Africa's tour of Sri Lanka in 2006.[145]

scope=col Rankscope=col Figuresscope=col Playerscope=col Oversscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 65Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 23Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center;align=center 29Lord's, London, England
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center;align=center 36The Oval, London, England
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 29St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[146]

Worst figures in a match

The worst figures in a match in Test cricket were taken by South Africa's Imran Tahir in the second Test against Australia at the Adelaide Oval in November 2012. He returned figures of 0/180 from his 23 overs in the first innings and 0/80 off 14 in the third innings for a total of 0/260 from 37 overs.[147] He claimed the record in his final over when two runs came from it – enough for him to pass the previous record of 0/259, set 54 years prior.[148]

scope=col Rankscope=col Figuresscope=col Playerscope=col Oversscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
scope=row style=text-align:center; 1scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 37Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 65Sinhalese Sports Club Ground, Colombo, Sri Lanka
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 173Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; align=center 43Old Wanderers, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center rowspan=25scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=2align=center 41Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 29Lord's, London, England
Last updated:20 June 2020[149]

Most wickets in a series

England's seventh Test tour of South Africa in 1913–14 saw the record set for the most wickets taken by a bowler in a Test series. English paceman Sydney Barnes played in four of the five matches and achieved a total of 49 wickets to his name. South Africa's Hugh Tayfield is joint 13th with his 37 wickets taken against England during the 1956–57 tour.[150]

scope=col Rankscope=col Wicketsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Series
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 37align=center rowspan=55
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 36
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 33
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 30
align=center rowspan=45scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=429
6
4
5
Last updated: 20 June 2020[151]

Hat-trick

In cricket, a hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets with consecutive deliveries. The deliveries may be interrupted by an over bowled by another bowler from the other end of the pitch or the other team's innings, but must be three consecutive deliveries by the individual bowler in the same match. Only wickets attributed to the bowler count towards a hat-trick; run outs do not count.In Test cricket history there have been just 44 hat-tricks, the first achieved by Fred Spofforth for Australia against England in 1879. In 1912, Australian Jimmy Matthews achieved the feat twice in one game against South Africa. The only other players to achieve two hat-tricks are Australia's Hugh Trumble, against England in 1902 and 1904, Pakistan's Wasim Akram, in separate games against Sri Lanka in 1999, and England's Stuart Broad.

No.BowlerAgainstInn.TestDismissalsVenueDateRef.
11 2/5 Lord's, London 24 June 1960 [152]
22 2/2 21 June 2021 [153]

Wicket-keeping records

The wicket-keeper is a specialist fielder who stands behind the stumps being guarded by the batsman on strike and is the only member of the fielding side allowed to wear gloves and leg pads.[154]

Most career dismissals

A wicket-keeper can be credited with the dismissal of a batsman in two ways, caught or stumped. A fair catch is taken when the ball is caught fully within the field of play without it bouncing after the ball has touched the striker's bat or glove holding the bat,[155] [156] while a stumping occurs when the wicket-keeper puts down the wicket while the batsman is out of his ground and not attempting a run.[157] South Africa's Mark Boucher holds the record for most dismissals in Test cricket as a designated wicket-keeper.[158]

scope=col Rankscope=col Dismissalsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="background:#cee0f2; text-align:center;" 553 ♠align=center 1461997–2012
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 232align=center 542014–2021
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 152align=center 421992–1998
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 141align=center 501951–1965
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 106align=center 1142004–2018
Last updated: 21 June 2021[159]

Most career catches

Boucher holds the record for most catches in Test cricket as a designated wicket-keeper.[160]

scope=col Rankscope=col Catchesscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="background:#cee0f2; text-align:center;" 530 ♠align=center 1461997–2012
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 221align=center 542014–2021
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 150align=center 421992–1998
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 124align=center 501951–1965
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 101align=center 1142004–2018
Last updated: 21 June 2021[161]

Most career stumpings

Bert Oldfield, Australia's fifth-most capped wicket-keeper, holds the record for the most stumpings in Test cricket with 52. Boucher has most stumpings with 23.[162]

scope=col Rankscope=col Stumpingsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 23align=center 1461997–2012
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 17align=center 501951–1965
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 16align=center 131906–1911
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 13align=center 231912–1924
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 12align=center 261927–1935
Last updated: 20 June 2020[163]

Most dismissals in an innings

Four wicket-keepers have taken seven dismissals in a single innings in a Test match—Wasim Bari of Pakistan in 1979, Englishman Bob Taylor in 1980, New Zealand's Ian Smith in 1991 and most recently West Indian gloveman Ridley Jacobs against Australia in 2000.[164]

The feat of taking 6 dismissals in an innings has been achieved by 24 wicket-keepers on 32 occasions including 4 South Africans.[165]

scope=col Rankscope=col Dismissalsscope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center rowspan=7 1scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=7 6Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
Last updated: 20 June 2020[166]

Most dismissals in a match

Three wicket-keepers have made 11 dismissals in a Test match, Englishman Jack Russell in 1995, South African AB de Villiers in 2013 and most recently India's Rishabh Pant against Australia in 2018.[167]

The feat of making 10 dismissals in a match has been achieved by 4 wicket-keepers on 4 occasions.[168]

scope=col Rankscope=col Dismissalsscope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
1scope=row style=text-align:center; 11 ♠New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center rowspan=52scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=59St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Headingley, Leeds, England
Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
Galle International Stadium, Galle, Sri Lanka
Last updated: 23 August 2020[169]

Most dismissals in a series

Brad Haddin holds the Test cricket record for the most dismissals taken by a wicket-keeper in a series. He took 29 catches during the 2013 Ashes series. South African record is held by John Waite and Mark Boucher with 26 dismissals.[170]

scope=col Rankscope=col Dismissalsscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Series
align=center rowspan=21scope=row style="text-align:center;" rowspan=226align=center rowspan=35align=center rowspan=310
align=center 3scope=row style="text-align:center;" 24
align=center rowspan=24scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=223align=center 5align=center 9
47
Last updated: 20 June 2020[171]

Fielding records

Most career catches

Caught is one of the nine methods a batsman can be dismissed in cricket. The majority of catches are caught in the slips, located behind the batsman, next to the wicket-keeper, on the off side of the field. Most slip fielders are top order batsmen.[172] [173]

India's Rahul Dravid holds the record for the most catches in Test cricket by a non-wicket-keeper with 209, followed by Mahela Jayawardene of Sri Lanka on 205 and South African Jacques Kallis with 196 for South Africa and 4 for ICC.[174]

scope=col Rankscope=col Catchesscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 200align=center 1651995–2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 166align=center 1162002–2014
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 121align=center 2002004–2018
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 108align=center 1242004–2019
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 94align=center 901996–2008
Last updated: 20 June 2020[175]

Most catches in a series

The 1920–21 Ashes series, in which Australia whitewashed England 5–0 for the first time,[176] saw the record set for the most catches taken by a non-wicket-keeper in a Test series. Australian all-rounder Jack Gregory took 15 catches in the series as well as 23 wickets.[177] South Africa's Bruce Mitchell, Trevor Goddard and Bert Vogler are equal tenth with 12 catches taken during a series.[178]

scope=col Rankscope=col Catchesscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Inningsscope=col Series
align=center rowspan=31scope=row style="text-align:center;" rowspan=312align=center rowspan=45align=center 10
align=center 9
align=center rowspan=210
align=center rowspan=34scope=row style="text-align:center;" rowspan=311
align=center 3align=center 6
align=center 4align=center 8
Last updated: 20 June 2020[179]

All-round Records

1000 runs and 100 wickets

A total of 71 players have achieved the double of 1000 runs and 100 wickets in their Test career.[180]

scope=col Rankscope=col Playerscope=col Average Differencescope=col Periodscope=col Matchesscope=col Runsscope=col Bat Avgscope=col Wicketsscope=col Bowl Avg
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 22.61 1995-2013 align=center 165 align=center 13,206 55.25 align=center 291 align=center 32.63
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 9.19 1995-2008 align=center 108 align=center 3,781 32.31 align=center 421 align=center 23.11
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 8.23 1955-1970 align=center 41 align=center 2,516 34.46 align=center 123 align=center 26.22
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 1.71 2011-2020 align=center 64 align=center 1,779 24.04 align=center 224 align=center 22.32
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; -9.35 2004-2019 align=center 93 align=center 1,251 13.59 align=center 439 align=center 22.95
align=center 6scope=row style=text-align:center; -17.41 2000-2006 align=center 43 align=center 1,312 25.23 align=center 100 align=center 42.65
Last updated: 22 August 2020[181]

250 runs and 20 wickets in a series

A total of 18 players on 24 occasions have achieved the double of 250 runs and 20 wickets in a series.[182]

Noscope=col Playerscope=col Matchesscope=col Runsscope=col Wicketsscope=col Series
1align=center rowspan=45 align=center 545 align=center 29
2align=center 294 align=center 26
3align=center 267 align=center rowspan=220
4align=center 302
Last updated: 22 August 2020[183]

Other records

Most career matches

See also: List of cricketers who have played 100 Tests. India's Sachin Tendulkar holds the record for the most Test matches played with 200, with South Africa's Jacques Kallis being fourth having represented South Africa on 165 occasions.[184]

scope=col Rankscope=col Matchesscope=col Playerscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style="text-align:center;" 1651995-2013
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 1461997–2012
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 1242004–2019
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 1162002–2014
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 1142004–2018
Last updated: 20 June 2020[185]

Most consecutive career matches

Former English captain Alastair Cook holds the record for the most consecutive Test matches played with 159. He broke Allan Border's long standing record of 153 matches in June 2018.[186] AB de Villiers, the South African played 98 consecutive Test matches, is sixth.[187]

scope=col Rankscope=col Matchesscope=col Playerscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 982004–2015
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 751998–2004
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 682006–2013
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 601997-2003
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 542005–2010
Last updated: 3 June 2018

Most matches as captain

See also: List of South Africa national cricket captains. Graeme Smith, who led the South African cricket team from 2003 to 2014, holds the record for the most matches played as captain in Test cricket with 109.[188]

scope=col Rankscope=col Matchesscope=col Playerscope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 1082003–2014
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 531994–2000
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 362016–2020
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 262000-2003
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 181913-1924
Last updated: 20 June 2020[189]

Youngest players

The youngest player to play in a Test match is claimed to be Hasan Raza at the age of 14 years and 227 days. Making his debut for Pakistan against Zimbabwe on 24 October 1996, there is some doubt as to the validity of Raza's age at the time.[190] The youngest cricketer to play Test cricket for South Africa was Paul Adams who at the age of 18 years and 340 days debuted in the fourth Test of the series against England in December 1995 at St George's Park.[191]

scope=col Rankscope=col Agescope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center;
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center;
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; St George's Park, Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Last updated: 28 January 2021[192]

Oldest players on Debut

England left-arm slow bowler James Southerton is the oldest player to appear in a Test match. Playing in the very first inaugural test against Australia in 1876 at Melbourne Cricket Ground, in Melbourne, Australia, he was aged 49 years and 119 days. Omar Henry is the oldest South African Test debutant in the 1992–93 series against India at Kingsmead Cricket Ground.[193]

scope=col Rankscope=col Agescope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; Kingsmead, Durban, South Africa
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Trent Bridge, Nottingham, England
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Seddon Park, Hamilton, New Zealand
Last updated: 13 February 2024[194]

Oldest players

England all-rounder Wilfred Rhodes is the oldest player to appear in a Test match. Playing in the fourth Test against the West Indies in 1930 at Sabina Park, in Kingston, Jamaica, he was aged 52 years and 165 days on the final day's play. The oldest South African Test player is Dave Nourse who was aged 45 years and 204 days when he represented South Africa for the final time in the 1924 tour of England at The Oval.[195]

scope=col Rankscope=col Agescope=col Playerscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center 1The Oval, London, England
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; The Oval, London, England
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; Lancaster Park, Christchurch, New Zealand
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; Lord's, London, England
Last updated: 28 January 2021[196]

Partnership records

In cricket, two batsmen are always present at the crease batting together in a partnership. This partnership will continue until one of them is dismissed, retires or the innings comes to a close.

Highest partnerships by wicket

A wicket partnership describes the number of runs scored before each wicket falls. The first wicket partnership is between the opening batsmen and continues until the first wicket falls. The second wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the number three batsman. This partnership continues until the second wicket falls. The third wicket partnership then commences between the not out batsman and the new batsman. This continues down to the tenth wicket partnership. When the tenth wicket has fallen, there is no batsman left to partner so the innings is closed.

scope=col Wicketscope=col Runsscope=col First batsmanscope=col Second batsmanscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center scope=row style="background:#cee0f2; text-align:center;" 415 ♠Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 315*AMI Stadium, Christchurch,New Zealand
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 429*Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 308Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 338Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai, India
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 271Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 246Basin Reserve, Wellington, New Zealand
align=center rowspan=2scope=row style=text-align:center; rowspan=2150Centurion Park, Centurion, South Africa
Headingley, Leeds, England
align=center scope=row style="background:#cee0f2; text-align:center;" 195 ♠Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 107*Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Last updated: 20 June 2020[197]

Highest partnerships by runs

The highest Test partnership by runs for any wicket is held by the Sri Lankan pairing of Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene who put together a third wicket partnership of 624 runs during the first Test against South Africa in July 2006. This broke the record of 576 runs set by their compatriots Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama against India in 1997. South Africa's Jacques Rudolph and Boeta Dippenaar hold the 10th highest Test partnership with 429 made in 2003 against Bangladesh.[198]

scope=col Wicketscope=col Runsscope=col First batsmanscope=col Second batsmanscope=col Oppositionscope=col Venuescope=col Date
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 429*Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh
align=center scope=row style="text-align:center;" 415Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium, Chittagong, Bangladesh
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 377*The Oval, London, England
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 368Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town, South Africa
align=center scope=row style=text-align:center; 341Adelaide Oval, Adelaide, Australia
Last updated: 20 June 2020[199]

Highest overall partnership runs by a pair

RankRunsInningsPlayersHighestAverage100/50T20I career span
align=center 1scope-"row" 3,92367 377* 61.29 11/10 2004-2013
align=center 23,65865 259 57.15 10/12 2006-2014
align=center 33,59264 249 61.93 9/17 1997-2004
align=center 43,27468 368 50.36 7/13 2002-2008
align=center 53,10844 256 75.8 13/7 2004-2013
An asterisk (*) signifies an unbroken partnership (i.e. neither of the batsmen was dismissed before either the end of the allotted overs or the required score being reached). Last updated: 11 October 2022[200]

Umpiring records

Most matches umpired

An umpire in cricket is a person who officiates the match according to the Laws of Cricket. Two umpires adjudicate the match on the field, whilst a third umpire has access to video replays, and a fourth umpire looks after the match balls and other duties. The records below are only for on-field umpires.

Aleem Dar of Pakistan holds the record for the most Test matches umpired with 130. The current active Dar set the record in December 2019 overtaking Steve Bucknor from the West Indies mark of 128 matches.[201] They are followed by South Africa's Rudi Koertzen who officiated in 108.[202]

scope=col Rankscope=col Matchesscope=col Umpirescope=col Period
align=center 1scope=row style=text-align:center; 1081992–2010
align=center 2scope=row style=text-align:center; 682010–2021
align=center 3scope=row style=text-align:center; 441995–2004
align=center 4scope=row style=text-align:center; 261992–2000
align=center 5scope=row style=text-align:center; 141935–1950
Last updated: 30 December 2021

Notes and References

  1. Book: Nicholson, Matthew. 2007. Sport and the Media: Managing the Nexus. Elsevier. 58. 978-0-7506-8109-4. 1 July 2018.
  2. News: Martin. Williamson. International Cricket Council: A brief history .... ESPNcricinfo. 18 May 2007. 20 June 2020.
  3. ICC Classification of Official Cricket. 2. International Cricket Council. 9 September 2018.
  4. Web site: Records Test matches Team records Results summary ESPNcricinfo.com. 2021-01-14. ESPNcricinfo.
  5. Web site: South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats ESPNcricinfo.com. 2022-01-14. ESPNcricinfo.
  6. Web site: Records / South Africa / Test matches / Series summary. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  7. Web site: Records / South Africa / Test matches / Test Records. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  8. Web site: 2nd Test, South Africa tour of England and Ireland at Lord's, Jul 31 - Aug 3 2003. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  9. News: Test records – Highest innings totals. ESPNcricinfo. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104034703/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283966.html. 4 January 2018.
  10. News: South Africa Test records – Highest innings totals. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  11. Web site: South Africa highest fourth innings totals . ESPNcricinfo.
  12. News: South Africa Test records – Highest successful run chases. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  13. News: 26 all out. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  14. News: Test records – Lowest innings totals. ESPNcricinfo. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20180104034851/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/145832.html. 4 January 2018.
  15. News: South Africa Test records – Lowest innings totals. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  16. News: South Africa Test records – Highest innings totals Conceded . ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170509110950/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/highest_innings_totals.html?class=1;id=3;type=opposition. 9 May 2017.
  17. News: South Africa Test records – Lowest innings totals conceded. ESPNcricinfo. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170509105908/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/lowest_innings_totals.html?class=1;id=3;type=opposition. 9 May 2017.
  18. Web site: Law 16 – The Result. Marylebone Cricket Club. 29 December 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229231840/https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws/the-result. 29 December 2018.
  19. News: Test records – Largest margin of victory (by an innings). ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  20. News: South Africa Test records – Largest victories. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  21. News: Test records – Largest margin of victory (by runs). ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  22. News: Test records – Smallest margin of victory (by runs). ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  23. News: South Africa Test records – Smallest victories. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  24. News: Test records – Smallest margin of victory (by wickets). ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  25. News: 1938 Ashes series. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  26. News: South Africa Test records – Largest defeats. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  27. News: South Africa Test records – Smallest defeats. ESPNcricinfo. 1 September 2019.
  28. News: Test records – Most career runs. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  29. News: South Africa Test records – Most career runs. ESPNcricinfo. 10 March 2023.
  30. News: Statistics Most Runs Against Australia ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  31. News: Statistics Most Runs Against Bangladesh ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  32. News: Statistics Most Runs Against England ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  33. News: Statistics Most Runs Against India ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  34. News: Statistics Most Runs Against New Zealand ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  35. News: Statistics Most Runs Against New Zealand ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  36. News: Statistics Most Runs Against Sri Lanka ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  37. News: Statistics Most Runs Against West Indies ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  38. News: Statistics Most Runs Against Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  39. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 1000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  40. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 2000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  41. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 3000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  42. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 4000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  43. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 5000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  44. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 6000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  45. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 7000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  46. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 8000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  47. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 9000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  48. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 10000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  49. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 11000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  50. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 12000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  51. Web site: Records Test matches Batting records Fastest to 13000 runs ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  52. News: Statistics Most Runs Opener ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  53. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 3 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  54. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 4 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  55. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 5 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  56. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 6 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  57. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 7 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  58. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 8 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  59. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 9 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  60. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 10 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  61. News: Statistics Most Runs Number 11 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  62. News: South Africa Test records – Highest individual score. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  63. News: Statistics Highest Score Against Australia ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  64. News: Statistics Highest Score Against Bangladesh ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  65. News: Statistics Highest Score Against England ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  66. News: Statistics Highest Score Against India ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  67. News: Statistics Highest Score Against New Zealand ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  68. News: Statistics Highest Score Against Pakistan ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  69. News: Statistics Highest Score Against Sri Lanka ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  70. News: Statistics Highest Score Against West Indies ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  71. News: Statistics Highest Score Against Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  72. Book: Pervez, M. A.. A Dictionary of Cricket. Orient Blackswan. 2001. 7. 978-81-7370-184-9.
  73. News: South Africa Test records – Highest career average. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  74. News: Statistics Highest Average Opener ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  75. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 3 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  76. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 4 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  77. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 5 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  78. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 6 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  79. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 7 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  80. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 8 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  81. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 9 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  82. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 10 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  83. News: Statistics Highest Average Number 11 ESPNcricinfo . ESPNcricinfo. 2020-07-01.
  84. News: Test records – Most half-centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  85. News: South Africa Test records – Most half-centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  86. News: Test records – Most centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 7 October 2019. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20191007020339/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/227046.html. 7 October 2019.
  87. News: South Africa Test records – Most centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  88. News: Test records – Highest career average. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  89. News: South Africa Test records – Most double centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  90. News: Test records – Most triple centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  91. News: South Africa Test records – Most triple centuries. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  92. News: South Africa Test records – Most sixes. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  93. News: South Africa Test records – Most fours. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  94. News: Test records – Most runs in a series. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  95. News: South Africa Test records – Most runs in a series. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  96. News: Martin. Williamson. A glossary of cricket terms. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  97. News: Test records – Most ducks. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  98. News: South Africa Test records – Most ducks. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  99. News: South Africa Test records – Most career wickets. ESPNcricinfo. 11 March 2023.
  100. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against Australia ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  101. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against Bangladesh ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  102. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against England ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  103. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against India ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  104. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against New Zealand ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  105. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against Pakistan ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  106. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against Sri Lanka ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  107. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against West Indies ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  108. Web site: Records Test matches Most Wickets Against Zimbabwe ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  109. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 50 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  110. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 100 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  111. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 150 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  112. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 200 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  113. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 250 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  114. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 300 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  115. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 350 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  116. Web site: Records Test matches Bowling records Fastest to 400 wickets ESPNcricinfo.com. ESPNcricinfo. 2019-02-27.
  117. Web site: Definition: bowling analysis. Merriam-Webster. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170904012227/http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bowling%20analysis. 4 September 2017.
  118. News: Test records – Best bowling figures in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  119. News: South Africa Test records – Best bowling figures in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  120. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Australia . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  121. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Bangladesh . 11 April 2022 . ESPNcricinfo.
  122. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against England . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  123. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against India . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  124. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against New Zealand . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  125. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Pakistan . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  126. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Sri Lanka . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  127. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against West Indies . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  128. Web site: Bowling Records !! Best Bowling Figures !! Against Zimbabwe . 5 January 2021 . ESPNcricinfo.
  129. News: Test records – Best bowling figures in a match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  130. News: South Africa Test records – Best bowling figures in a match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  131. News: Test cricketers who have played for two international teams. ESPNcricinfo. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171121062121/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283699.html. 21 November 2017.
  132. News: Test records – Best career average. ESPNcricinfo. 3 December 2017. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170728224334/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283256.html. 28 July 2017.
  133. News: South Africa Test records – Best career average. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  134. News: Test records – Best career economy rate. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  135. News: South Africa Test records – Best career economy rate. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  136. News: Test records – Best career strike rate. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  137. News: South Africa Test records – Best career strike rate. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  138. Book: Pervez, M. A.. A Dictionary of Cricket. Orient Blackswan. 2001. 31. 978-81-7370-184-9.
  139. News: Test records – Most Five-Wicket Hauls in a Career. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  140. News: South Africa Test records – Most five-wicket hauls in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  141. News: Test records – Most Ten-Wicket Hauls in a Match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  142. News: South Africa Test records – Most ten-wicket hauls in a match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  143. News: Test records – Worst bowling figures in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  144. News: 3rd Test, Pakistan tour of West Indies at Kingston, Feb 26-Mar 4 1958. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  145. News: 1st Test, South Africa tour of Sri Lanka at Colombo (SSC), Jul 27-31 2006. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  146. News: South Africa Test records – Worst bowling figures in an innings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  147. News: Test records – Worst bowling figures in a match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  148. News: 2nd Test, South Africa tour of Australia at Adelaide, Nov 22-26 2012. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  149. News: South Africa Test records – Worst bowling figures in a match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  150. News: Test records – Most wickets in a series. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  151. News: South Africa Test records – Most wickets in a series. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  152. Web site: South Africa tour of England, 1960 – 2nd Test. ESPNcricinfo. 4 January 2013.
  153. Web site: 2nd Test, Gros Islet, Jun 18 - 22 2021, South Africa tour of West Indies. ESPNcricinfo. 21 June 2021.
  154. Web site: Law 27 – The wicket-keeper. Marylebone Cricket Club. 29 December 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229232954/https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws/the-wicket-keeper. 29 December 2018.
  155. Web site: Law 33 – Caught. Marylebone Cricket Club. 29 December 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229233205/https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws/caught. 29 December 2018.
  156. Web site: Law 5 – The Bat. Marylebone Cricket Club. 29 December 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229233752/https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws/the-bat. 29 December 2018. Laws 5.6.2.2 and 5.6.2.3 state that the hand or the glove holding the bat shall be regarded as the ball striking or touching the bat.
  157. Web site: Law 39 – Stumped. Marylebone Cricket Club. 29 December 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20181229233857/https://www.lords.org/mcc/laws/stumped. 29 December 2018.
  158. News: Test records – Most wicket-keeper dismissals. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  159. Web site: South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats . 2021-01-04. ESPNcricinfo.
  160. News: Test records – Most wicket-keeper catches. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  161. Web site: South Africa Cricket Team Records & Stats . 2021-01-04 . ESPNcricinfo.
  162. News: Test records – Most wicket-keeper career stumpings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  163. News: South Africa Test records – Most wicket-keeper career stumpings. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  164. News: Test records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  165. News: Wicket-keepers who have taken six wickets in an innings in a Test match. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  166. News: South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in an innings by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  167. News: Test records – Most dismissals in a match by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 2 January 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200102062809/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283810.html. 2 January 2020.
  168. News: Wicket-keepers who have made 10 dismissals in a Test match. ESPNcricinfo. 2 January 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20200102062607/https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/stats/index.html?class=1;filter=advanced;keeper=1;orderby=dismissals;qualmax2=10;qualmin2=10;qualval2=dismissals;size=200;template=results;type=fielding;view=match. 2 January 2020.
  169. News: South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in a match by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2020.
  170. News: Test records – Most dismissals in a series by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  171. News: South Africa Test records – Most dismissals in a series by a wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  172. Book: S.. Giridhar. V. J.. Raghunath. 2014. Mid-Wicket Tales: From Trumper to Tendulkar. SAGE Publications. 2. 978-81-321-1738-4. 20 June 2020.
  173. Mike. Selvey. Mike Selvey. The greatest slip catcher. The Cricket Monthly. ESPNcricinfo. May 2015. 20 June 2020.
  174. News: Test records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  175. News: South Africa Test records – Most career catches by a non wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  176. News: Ashes series whitewashes. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  177. News: 1920–21 Ashes series records – Most wickets. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  178. News: Test records – Most catches in a series by a non wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  179. News: South Africa Test records – Most catches in a series by a non wicket-keeper. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  180. Web site: 1000 Runs and 100 Wickets . ESPNcricinfo. 1 July 2020.
  181. Web site: 1000 Runs and 100 Wickets . ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2020.
  182. Web site: 250 Runs and 20 Wickets in a series . ESPNcricinfo. 23 August 2020.
  183. Web site: 250 Runs and 20 Wickets . ESPNcricinfo. 22 August 2020.
  184. News: Test records – Most career matches. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  185. News: South Africa Test records – Most career matches. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  186. Web site: 'We'll be looking for other employment' – Cook. wisden.com. 31 May 2018. 20 June 2020.
  187. News: Most Consecutive Test matches. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  188. News: Test records – Most matches as captain. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  189. News: South Africa Test records – Most matches as captain. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  190. Web site: A late starter. 10 March 2007 . ESPNcricinfo. 30 July 2018. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170316183206/http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/149397.html. 16 March 2017.
  191. Web site: Test records – Youngest players. ESPNcricinfo. 30 July 2018.
  192. Web site: South Africa - Youngest Players on Debut. ESPNcricinfo. 28 January 2021 .
  193. News: Test records – Oldest debutants. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  194. Web site: South Africa - Oldest Players on Debut. ESPNcricinfo. 28 January 2021 .
  195. Web site: Test records – Oldest players. ESPNcricinfo. 30 July 2018.
  196. Web site: South Africa - Oldest Players. ESPNcricinfo. 28 January 2021 .
  197. Web site: South Africa/Records/Test matches/Highest partnerships by wicket. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  198. News: Test records – Highest partnerships by runs. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  199. News: South Africa Test records – Highest partnerships by runs. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.
  200. Web site: Records–Test Matches–Partnership records–Highest overall partnership runs by a pair–ESPN Cricinfo. ESPN. ESPNcricinfo. 11 October 2022.
  201. Web site: Aleem Dar set to break record for most Tests as umpire. International Cricket Council. 11 December 2019. 20 June 2020.
  202. News: Test records – Most matches umpired. ESPNcricinfo. 20 June 2020.