Q has a chart for batsmen that shows the number of conversions from 50s to 100s with minimum qualification of 15 centuries. Michael Vaughan ranks No. 7 on the list. The top of the list is unsurprisingly headed by Don Bradman with 29 centuries and 13 fifties, giving a conversion rate of 69%.
But guess who is second on the list? It is Andy Strauss with 17 tons and only 14 fifties – a conversion rate of 54.8%. Kevin Pietersen is third with 53.3%. No other current player is on the list. Incredible!
Someone else who didn’t qualify for the list, but exhibits the same trait is Ravi Bopara. Here are his last 6 innings: 0, 0, 0, 104, 143, 108.
What this shows is that Australia better make sure that they get Strauss, Bopara and Pietersen early on. Alastair Cook (9 centuries, 19 fifties) not so much, though he could be hanging around with a 30 or 40 each time to give Strauss enough support for a strong opening partnership.
It is also interesting to note that this time, Australia have a Flintoff-like figure in their side: Mitchell Johnson. Their relative performances (if Flintoff gets to play) may turn out to be decisive.
I didn’t pay much attention to the fact that Strauss was 2nd on the list since I was busy working out what made Vaughan so special, but that is surely an eye opener.. there is something abt these English batsmen and centuries.. I did a post on KP a few months ago when I got surprised that he had scored 15 test centuries next to no time
http://www.wellpitched.com/2008/12/achievement-three-quarter.html
I think if we take a look at the initial part of Alistair Cook’s career, we will find that he also converted 50s to 100s more often than not.. getting out between 50 and 100 is something of a recent problem that Cook has had…
So ur right in saying that Australia will need to get through these batsmen early..
Q, Pietersen is somebody special. I am sure that by the end of his career, if injury doesn’t play a part, he would have broken a lot of records.
continuing on this it will be interested to know the stats of batsmen who crossed fifties but got out on nervous nineties (ala sachin who almost developed habbit of getting out in 90s of late)…
@Straight Point, I think Cricinfo had done a feature on the nervous nineties. I believe Sachin heads that list.
Stats are a convenient way to establish whatever you want. I’m happy with the little common sense I was endowed with.:)
Som, with all the Tests being played, someone has to be behind Don Bradman as something. That being said, Strauss has been on a hot streak. Let’s see if it lasts against the Australians.
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