Sarfaraz Khan has become the first Mumbai batter to score a double hundred in the Irani Cup, taking his first-class average close to 70 in the process. Here’s the list of cricketers with the highest first-class average in the history of the game.
Having resumed the day on 54, Sarfaraz scored his 15th first-class hundred, two days after carrying drinks in the recently concluded Test between India and Bangladesh. Already possessing an impressive first-class record, Sarfaraz converted the innings into his fourth double-hundred. He also has a triple hundred to his name.
Sarfaraz brought up his landmark off 255 balls. His innings contained 23 fours and three sixes. His knock was the highest score by a Mumbai batter in the Irani Cup, going past Ghulam Parkar’s 194 in 1972.
Sarfaraz came in when Mumbai were at 139-4 and finished the day unbeaten on 221, with his side at 536-9 against the Rest of India.
When Sarfaraz Khan gets in, he makes it count 😲
— Wisden India (@WisdenIndia) October 2, 2024
He’s scored 15 first-class hundreds in 75 innings, with 10 scores of 150 or more, and is currently batting on 200* in the Irani Cup.
What a talent.
➡️ https://t.co/pcRw1IG7HR pic.twitter.com/F0dKJzqS4y
At stumps on day two, Sarfaraz's first-class tally reads 4404 runs at an average of 69.90. That average might come down on the third morning if he is dismissed, can improve if he scores more runs and remains unbeaten, or can remain the same if Mumbai declare overnight.
List of batters with highest averages in first-class cricket
The list is headed by Don Bradman, whose 28,067 first-class runs have come at an average of 95.14. Bradman is closely followed by India's Vijay Merchant (71.64) and Sarfaraz has now overtaken the West Indies great Geroge Headley (69.86) during the course of his marathon Irani Cup knock.
*All stats are up to date until day two of Irani Cup 2024
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