Getting out on a duck is probably the most embarrassing moment for any batter, be it a top-order batter or a tailender. Australia, one of the most formidable teams in cricket, has also had some of its greatest players get out for a duck. Today, we shortlist some of the Australian cricketers with the highest number of ducks in the most challenging format of the game—Test cricket. Interestingly, the list has an equal number of genuine batters and bowlers.
1. Glenn Mcgrath (35)
Glenn McGrath is Australia’s most successful fast bowler, but he is unfortunately at the top of this list. From 1993 to 2007, McGrath featured in a staggering 124 Tests and had 35 ducks to his name in 138 innings. However, apart from having the highest number of ducks for an Australian batter in Test cricket, he also has the highest number of not outs in Test cricket, with 51 to his name.
2. Shane Warne (34)
Next on the list is the Australian veteran and the most successful spinner of Australia, Shane Warne. Warne was a right-arm leg break bowler and the man behind bowling the ball of the century. He registers his name on the list with 34 ducks in 199 innings, second only to his teammate, Glen McGrath.
3. Steve Waugh (22)
Steve Waugh, an exceptional all-rounder and a leader par excellence, is third on the list. Steve was one of Australia’s most crucial players who made his Test debut in 1985. He played in 168 Test matches and scored 22 ducks in 260 innings. He scored more than 10,000 Test runs and got 32 centuries and 50 fifties to his name.
4. Mitchell Johnson (19)
Number four on the list is Mitchell Johnson, a fiery and bruising fast bowler from Queensland. Johnson was one of the fasTest bowlers during his time and was almost unplayable when he was in rhythm. He made his Test debut in 2007 and played his last match in 2015. In his 73 Test match career, he had 19 ducks to his name in 109 innings.
5. Mark Waugh (19)
Mark Waugh, brother of Steve Waugh and also a former all-rounder, is next to feature on the list. Mark made his debut in 1991 against England and played 128 Test matches before retiring in 2002. He got out for a duck 19 times in 209 innings. He was, however, one of Australia’s most elegant players.
6. Ian Healy (18)
Next on the list is Ian Healy, a right-handed wicketkeeper batter from Brisbane, Queensland. Healy played his maiden Test in 1988 against Pakistan and retired in 1999 after playing his last Test match against Zimbabwe. During his Test career of 119 matches, he got out on a duck 18 times in 182 innings.
7. Peter Siddle (17)
Peter Siddle, a right-arm fast bowler from Victoria, is seventh on the list. Siddle played his first Test match in 2008 against India and quickly became a permanent member of the Australian Test team. He took 221 wickets in 67 Test matches at an average of 30.66. He was dismissed for a duck 17 times in 94 innings.
8. Ricky Ponting (17)
Next, we have Ricky Ponting, Australia’s highest Test run scorer and a legend of the game. He was a right-handed top-order batter from Tasmania. He scored more than 13,000 runs in 168 Test matches, the third highest for any cricketer. During his Test career from 1995 to 2012, he got dismissed on a duck 17 times in 287 innings.
9. Nathan Lyon (16)
Nathan Lyon is Australia’s best spinner at present and one of their best off-spinners ever. In 2011, Lyon made his Test match debut against Sri Lanka at Galle. So far, in 110 Test matches, he has taken 438 wickets at an average of 32.07 and an economy of 2.94. He has scored 16 ducks so far in 140 innings.
10. David Boon (16)
Last on the list is David Boon, a right-handed top-order batter from Tasmania. Boon made his Test debut in 1984 against the West Indies. He scored 7422 runs in 107 Test matches at an average of 43.65 and had 16 ducks in 170 innings. In 1996, he played his last Test against Sri Lanka.
