How many batters have scored four or more centuries in three successive Tests?

Jonny Bairstow has scored four centuries in his last three tests – how many people have matched (or even beaten) that? asked Charlie Bowen from England

This purple patch of Jonny Bairstow brought him 589 runs on 578 balls in his last five Test innings. After being out for 8 against New Zealand in Edgbastonhe added 136 in the second set, then hammered 162 and 71 not in the third test at Trent Bridge. After that he hit 106 and 114 not against India
in Edgbaston.

England scored at nearly five to chase 378 against India. Was it the fastest pursuit in a test? asked Stuart from South Africa

England advanced at 4.93 in this remarkable pursuit in Edgbaston Last week. Only two successful fourth-inning chases over 300 have been completed faster, and none have involved so many runs: Pakistan 302 for 5 to beat Sri Lanka in Sharjah in 2013-14 came at 5.25 a plus, while West Indies 344 to 1 against England at the lord in 1984 came to 5.19 a plus.

Imtiaz Ahmed played in Pakistan’s first 39 Tests before missing one. I believe it was a record at the time – is it still the case? And what is the record for each country? asked Najib Ahmed from Pakistan

You are right to say that the long time wicket keeper Imtiaz Ahmed appeared in all of Pakistan’s first 39 Tests, from their inaugural match in 1952-53 to the first Test in England in 1962. This was indeed a record at the time, but has since been surpassed by Alistair Campbellwho played in Zimbabwe’s first 56 Tests; Andy’s Flower also appeared in their top 52. Come next Habibul Basharone match from Bangladesh’s first 30 Test matches, and the Zimbabwean Grant the flower (also 30).

In the recent Irish one-day competition, Barry McCarthy scored a century from No. 9. Did anyone else score above the A-list from No. 9 or less? asked David Evans from Ireland

Barry McCarthy’s 110 – more than double what he had in all other senior legs – came for Leinster Lightning against the Northern Knights in Ireland’s one-day interprovincial tournament at Pembroke CC at Dublin Last week. His runs came from 59 balls and included ten sixes.

There has only been one score higher from No. 9 or lower in a List A game: for the West Indians against the Sri Lankan board chairman’s XI at the Colts home ground in Colombo in October 2015, n° 9 Carlos Brathwaite pounded 113 of 58 deliveries. The Tourists had clashed at 109 for 7, before Brathwaite racked up 193 in under 17 overs with Andre Russell, who hit 89 of 54 balls. Russell himself holds the ODI record for a No.9, with 92 not eliminated for West Indies against India in Antigua in June 2011.

Is it true that anyone has ever played for Australia in the Davis Cup of test cricket and tennis? I can’t figure out who it is… asked Jamie Millican from Australia

Not true – but someone got really close: Leslie Poidevin was Australia’s 12th man for the first Ashes Test in 1901-02 and, after England won by an innings In Sydneywas in line for a likely start in Game 2 in Melbourne. But he injured his finger in training and was replaced by Reggie Duff – which marked a century on its debut as Australia took on the series. Duff claimed a regular spot and Poidevin’s luck was gone.

Only two Test cricketers have also played Davis Cup tennis – Ramaswami quote (India) and Ralph Legall (West Indies). Wicketkeeper Legall’s Tests came at home in 1952-53, against an Indian side led by Ramaswami. The couple share another unusual distinction: the exact date of their death is unknown.