The 6th Wicket Club - who rates highest? Enter the Gingas

For the 3rd time in 2 years, the venerated world record for the 6th wicket in all test cricket has been smashed.

 England were 223 for 5 when Bairstow and Stokes entered the fray.  In a matter of hours they created history by becoming the new record holder for the 6th wicket, setting a new mark at 399.  In so doing, New Zealand born Ben Stokes also helped himself to the second fastest double ton in history of test cricket.  New Zealand's Nathan Astle still holds that record (coincidentally versus England.)

What of Bairstow??  Unlike the other wicketkeeper batsman who shared two records, BJ Watling, there didn't appear to be any great things coming from Bairstow.  His maiden test century came on the back of several scores between 40 and 80, but no indication he'd bat for a long period and stick around to secure a world record.  Kudos to him then for the effort.


So let's put these records side by side and compare them.  The first was BJ Watling(124) and Brendon McCullum(302) 352 at the Basin Reserve against India, a home game.  The following year against Sri Lanka BJ Watling again (142*) and Kane Wiliamson (242*) set a new mark of 356 also at The Basin Reserve.  And now we have England's Stokes/Bairstow smashing that mark.  If you look at the

records analytically, there would only be one winner.  The two NZ records are in their own right special as both were achieved from a position of adversity.  England already had a healthy lead.  You have to rate England's as they have the record and did it away from home, but I'm waxing lyrical here, the first is the best.  In that test, Brendon achieved that unreachable 300 mark in NZ test cricket.  And he was backed up by twin centuries, Jimmy Neesham and BJ assisting him.

Sorry England. On paper you have it but let's not forget - Ben Stokes is a Kiwi, albeit a Ginga one.

McCullum/Watling or Williamson/Watling?

In just under one year, New Zealand (and the world) have borne witness to two world records in cricket, coincidentally both for the sixth wicket and both featuring diminutive wicketkeeper BJ Watling.  He partnered his skipper last year in that 352 and this year he partnered skipper in waiting Kane Wiulliamson for their 365 unbeaten.  So which was better?

Let's look at last years effort.  It came at a time where NZ were down in the dumps, a low 1st innings score batting first and NZ 94 for 5 in their second innings, having trailed India by 246 runs..  352 runs later Watling was dismissed for his highest test score of 124.  This partnership laid the foundation for what was to become a New Zealand first and record, McCullums 302 (helped by Jimmy Neesham.)  It meant NZ could safely play for a win but also to ensure a draw for a series win.

This year was very similar, however the other big top order stalwarts, McCullum and Taylor were gone early in the second innings and NZ were teetering at 159 for 5, a lead of 24 with 5 second innings wickets in hand.  Up step two true heroes, Kane Williamson and BJ Watling.  They knuckled down and Williamson rode his luck (3 dropped catches and a missed stumping) whilst at the other end Watling played stoically and chancelessly.  Their innings probably had more riding on it than the previous record innings but by no means not as important.

I can't accurately rate the first record in boundaries as McCullum played with 3 partners but I can Watling and Williamsons.  Kane scored 18 fours and BJ 9 fours and one six, for a total of 114 runs out of 365. That left 251 runs all run, over 700 odd balls faced.  The milestones are now well recorded as they achieved continuously throughout the partnership and at the close of the innings with the world record theirs for the keeping (or Watling/Taylor next year??)

So which is the best.  Obviously saying 365 is the new record means a lot but is it the best based on that.  Lots of similarities in both innings, behind after being put in, fighting back, and putting the game safe.  Both at the Basin Reserve and both achieved against teams ahead of NZ in the rankings.  The McCullum one rates highly as he went on to make history twice.  But so did Williamson and Watling.  Their score got the team out of a position of impending defeat and in a position to attack for the win.  Yet that almost happened last year too.  If it hadn't been for Virat Kohli righting India's ship the win could have happened.  In that it didn't tarnishes that partnership and makes the latest one stand alone as the greatest.

And yes, we haven't seen the best out of this team yet.  We're seeing plenty, but we need to play the top three in the rankings (England in May, Aussie next year, and SA whenever) to see how we really are progressing.  For now I will savour every delicious moment this team produces.

Winners are Grinners.