In the aftermath of England’s Test series tour of Pakistan, it was reported that England recorded a run rate of 4.13 per over from 15 Tests that they played in 2022. This is an unheard-of number in Test cricket and one not seen for 112 years.
It is the second-highest run rate ever recorded for a calendar year since Test cricket started back in 1877. The only one to beat this record is Australia when they had a run rate of 4.47 per over in 1910 from two Test matches.
These four runs per over mark have only been achieved three times in Test Cricket history. The third-highest record was achieved by Australia in 2003 with 4.08 runs per over in 12 Test matches.
With their victory over Pakistan in this Test series, England has now claimed more wins in Pakistan than they had before. Previously, they had only won two Tests in Pakistan.
This high run rates are not the only record that England broke in this Test Series. On the opening day of the 1st Test, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, and Harry Brook all reached three figures. It was the first time in Test history that four batsmen scored centuries on the opening day of a Test.
Additionally, it was the first time four England players have hit centuries since the 2007 Test against West Indies. Overall, the match resulted in the most runs England has ever scored in a single day of Test cricket and the first time any country has scored more than 500 runs on an opening day.
In total, there were seven Tests records broken on the opening day. Aside from England’s run score, Pakistan had the most runs conceded in an innings by a player making his Test debut. This happened when leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood conceded as many as 235 runs in his very first innings in Test cricket.
The opening day was the only time in 146 years of Test cricket that openers from both teams got into triple figures in the first innings.
According to reports, England’s huge uprise is thanks to their ‘Bazball’ Test cricket revolution and captain Ben Stokes’ aggressive approach. Named after coach Brendon McCullum, ‘Bazball’ refers to England’s approach of all-out attack.
Ever since the former New Zealand batter was appointed in May, England has won nine of its 10 Test matches.
In the final Test match against Pakistan, England won by 8 wickets. On the first and second tests, England had won by 74 runs and 26 runs respectively.
Aside from achieving record-breaking hits, England has the youngest debutant, Rehan Ahmed who also became the youngest Englishman to take five wickets in an innings.
The last time that England won against Pakistan in a Test Series was when Pakistan toured England in 2020. England had won 1-0, the 2nd and 3rd Tests having ended in draws. England’s next Test Series will be against South Africa starting on January 27.