Tendulkar fills the New Zealand gap

A look at the important numbers from the run-fest in Christchurch, where 726 runs were scored from 95.1 overs

08-Mar-2009

A look at the important numbers from the run-fest in Christchurch, where 726 runs were scored from 95.1 overs.

Tim Southee: only the third bowler to concede more than 100 in an ODI © AFP

The match aggregate of 726 is the second-highest ever in ODIs, next only to that unforgettable game in Johannesburg almost exactly three years ago, when Australia and South Africa combined to score 872 in a day.

India's total of 392 for 4 is their 11th 350-plus score, and their second-highest in ODIs, after the 413 for 5 they scored against Bermuda in the 2007 World Cup. It's also the highest by any team in New Zealand. In fact, of the 16 highest scores in the country, 15 have come since 2005, an indication of just how good conditions have become for batting in New Zealand over the last four years.

Sachin Tendulkar's unbeaten 163 is his 43rd ODI century, but his first in New Zealand. As he remarked after the game, Tendulkar hasn't played in that country so often - out of 415 innings, only 22 have been in New Zealand, where he averages a respectable 39.09. It was his 31st hundred in a win - he has been involved in 213 ODI wins, in which he averages a superb 56.96, at a strike rate of almost 90. The innings also gave him his 58th Man-of-the-Match award, which is easily the highest, and 12 clear of the second-placed Sanath Jayasuriya.

New Zealand ended up on the wrong end of the result, but their opening partnership gave them plenty to cheer: the 166-run stand is their fourth-highest for the first wicket, and Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder have been involved in two of the top five first-wicket stands. In only 13 innings, McCullum and Ryder have already put together 757 runs for the first wicket at an average of 63.08. (Click here for New Zealand's top opening pairs.)

There were 31 sixes struck in the match, which is a record - the next best is 26. India contributed 18 of those, which equals the mark for an innings. It's also the second time they've struck so many in an innings.

Tendulkar and Yuvraj Singh added 138 in 100 balls, a run rate of 8.38 runs per over. Among century partnerships in New Zealand, this one ranks in fifth place in terms of run rate. In fact, three out of the top eight quickest hundred stands in all ODIs in New Zealand have come in this series, with the 166-run opening wicket partnership between Brendon McCullum and Jesse Ryder in eighth place.

There was little to cheer for any of the bowlers, but none had it as bad as Tim Southee, who became only the third bowler - and the second from New Zealand - to concede more than 100 runs in an ODI. The only other New Zealander was Martin Snedden, though he bowled 12 overs to concede 105 against England in the 1983 World Cup.

Tim Southee Jesse Ryder Brendon McCullum Yuvraj Singh Sachin Tendulkar New Zealand India New Zealand vs India India tour of New Zealand

S Rajesh is stats editor of Cricinfo