Australia is widely regarded as the most decorated cricketing nation in history. The cricketing giants have dominance written all over them, with five World Cup titles to their name. In terms of cricketing nations, no other team can match Australia's consistent record of success, making the cricket team’s history a fascinating subject. Let us look at the best facts about Australian cricket that you did not know.
1. Sir Donald Bradman Hit Only 6 Sixes In His Career
Sir Donald Bradman of Australia is not only the greatest batsman in history but also possibly the most dominant batsman in Test cricket history. So, while it is widely acknowledged that he was one of the greatest attacking batsmen of all time, he was not much of a six-hitter, hitting only six sixes in his entire 52-match Test career.
2. Australia Was Unbeaten At Lords For 75 Years
Lord's is the spiritual home of cricket, and no other visiting team has a better record there than the Australians, who have dominated Test matches there for decades. Australia dominated the Test matches played at the venue, and over the next 75 years, they played 18 Test matches at Lord's and won nine of them, establishing a record that will almost certainly never be matched by any other visiting team.
3. Only Country To Have Hosted 7 Test Series
It is usually safe to assume that a Test series is supposed to consist of no more than five Tests, and this is especially true when discussing the Ashes. That is not the case, and it would not have been possible if Australia had not made the audacious decision to play seven Tests in their summer during the 1970-71 Ashes.
4. Test In Australia Used To Have 8 Ball Overs
When Test cricket first began in the nineteenth century, an over consisted of four deliveries before England adopted the 6-ball over in 1900. Australia began similarly, adopting the 6-ball over in the 1891-92 season before switching to the 8-ball over for one season in 1924-25 before returning to the 8-ball over permanently in 1936-37.
5. David Warner Made His International Debut Without Any FC Game
Warner is widely regarded as one of the best batsmen to have graced Australia's cricket across all formats. His sheer class and abilities have propelled him to the top of the charts for many years, and he continues to shine brightly even now. However, few people are aware that the ace batsman did not play in a single FC game before making his international debut against South Africa in 2009. It was the first time this had happened since the team's debut in Test cricket in 1877. However, his ultimate class and clean striking gave him opportunities in ODIs as well.
6. George Bailey Captained Australia On His International Debut
Bailey was a former Australian cricketer and captain who took over the team in Michael Clarke's absence. His ODI records were adequate, as he scored 3000 runs and averaged over 40 in 90 games. However, an incredible fact about the former cricketer is that he captained Australia in his first international match for the country in 2012. After achieving great success as the captain of Tasmania, he carried the torch for his national team as well. Australia won the series under his leadership, and he became only the second cricketer in history to captain his country on his debut.
7. Dennis Lillee Came To Bat With An Aluminum Bat
Denis Lillee is widely regarded as one of the best pacers of his generation. Aside from being the best in his field, he also had a fiery temper off the field. However, an incident involving him during the 1979 Test series against England drew a lot of attention. Lillee was unbeaten at stumps on day one of Australia's match against England, and he batted with a traditional wooden bat. The next day, he walked up the pitch with an aluminum bat, causing everyone to shake. The ball made a lot of noise when he tried to hit it, but it could not cross the boundary line.
8. Adam Gilchrist Used A Squash Ball In His Batting Glove
Adam Gilchrist is regarded as one of Australia's greatest wicketkeeper-batsmen. However, his masterclass during the 2007 World Cup final became a story to remember for years. Australia was on its way to winning their second World Championship in a row when Gilchrist appeared in top form. He smashed 149 runs off 104 balls to become the highest run-scorer in the World Cup final, as well as the fastest tonne in the mega event (72 balls).
9. Only Team To Have Won Test Series After Trailing 0-2
In a five-Test series, the first two Tests set the tone for the rest of the series, and if a team wins the first two, the series is effectively over. Except for one team, no team in cricket history has won a five-Test series after falling behind 2-0. England had the hosts on the mat in the first two Tests of the 1936-37 Ashes in Australia, defeating them by innings in Brisbane and Sydney. It is unthinkable for a team to recover from such hammerings and then win the next three Tests.
10. Youngest Captain – Ian Craig At 22
Craig was appointed captain for Australia's Test tour to South Africa at the start of the 1957-58 season, making him the youngest captain in Test history at 22 years and 194 days, with Harvey as his deputy. Despite his inconsistent batting performance during the New Zealand tour, he was appointed.
