What is the most embarrassing moment for a cricketer, whether batsman, bowler, or wicketkeeper? Most cricket experts say that when a cricketer is out without scoring a run, that is the most embarrassing moment. In actual practice bowlers are not expected to score many runs, still getting out on zero is not an achievement. In reality, there are many great batsmen who have not scored any runs in their innings.
Given below is the list of cricketers who got out on zero for a maximum number of times in their career, playing in all formats of the game:
1 M Muralidaran (Sri Lanka/Asia/ICC) Bowler- In his career spanning from 1992 to 2011, he played in 495 matches, batted in 328 innings, scored 1936 runs, he got out at zero for 59 times.
2 Courtney Walsh (West Indies) Bowler- In his career spanning from 1984 to 2001, 337 matches, 264 innings, 1257 runs, and scored zero for 54 times.
3 Sanath Jayasuriya (Asia/SL) All Rounder- Career spanning from 1989 to 2011. 586 matches, 651 innings, 21,032 runs, scored zero for 53 times.
4 Glen McGrath (Australia/ICC) Bowler- Career spanning from 1993-2007. 376 matches, 207 innings, scored 761 runs and scored zero 49 times.
5 Stuart Broad (England) All rounder- Career spanning from 2006 to 2022. 329 matches, 318 innings, scored 4059 runs and scored zero 49 times.
6 Mahila Jayawardane (Sri Lanka/Asia) Batsman- a career spanning from 1997 to 2015. 652 matches, 725 innings, scored 25,957 runs and scored zero 47 times.
7 Daniel Vettori (New Zealand/ICC) All Rounder- a career spanning from 1997 to 2015. Matches 442, innings 383, scored 6989 runs and scored zero 46 times.
8 Wasim Akram (Pakistan) All Rounder- a career spanning from 1984-2003. Matches 460, innings 427, scored 6615 runs and scored zero 45 times.
9 Zaheer Khan (India) Bowler- a career spanning from 2000 to 2014. Matches 309, innings 232, scored 2036 runs, zero 44 times.
10 Shane Warne (Australia/ICC) All Rounder- a career spanning from 1992 to 2007. Matches 339, innings 306, runs scored 4172, zero 44 times.
11 Shahid Afridi (Pakistan/Asia/ICC) All-rounder- a career spanning from 1996 to 2018. Matches 524, innings 508, runs scored 11,196, zero 44 times.
12 Chris Gayle (West Indies/ICC) All Rounder- a career spanning from 1999 to 2021. Matches 483, innings 551, runs scored 19,953, zero 44 times.
13 Lasith Malinga (Sri Lanka) Bowler- a career spanning from 2004 to 2020. Matches 340, innings 189, runs scored 978, zero 43 times.
14 Younis Khan (Pakistan) Batsman- a career spanning from 2000 to 2017. Matches 408, innings 491, runs scored 17,790, zero 43 times.
15 JM Anderson (England) Bowler- a career spanning from 2002 to 2022. Matches 382, innings 322, runs scored 1536, zero 41 times.
These are 15 players who are heading the list. Now if you consider the list of the top 35 players with maximum zeroes in their career, you will be surprised to find even top-rated batsmen in the list.
Ricky Ponting stands at rank 18 with 39 zeroes in 668 innings.
Steve Waugh stands at rank 24 with 37 zeroes in 548 innings.
MS Attapattu stands at rank 28 with 35 zeroes in 416 innings.
Mark Waugh stands at rank 29 with 35 zeroes in 445 innings.
Inzamam ul Haq stands at rank 31 with 35 zeroes in 551 innings
And lastly cricket’s greatest batsman Sachin Tendulkar stands at rank 35 with 34 zeroes in 782 innings.
Other Indians on the list is Ishant Sharma( 40 zeroes) and Harbhajan Singh ( 37 zeroes)
Hope you will find this information very interesting.
Waiting for your views on this blog
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
30th September 2022
Vasanth Chandra
Surprised to see big batting giants like Ponting , Gayle , Waugh s. Tendulkar on the list .
All the uncertainties of the game are understood but not a batsman getting out for duck .
With all the coaching & practise sessions if one is to get out for zero at the international level of cricket , I deem that the batsman is not serious & lacked application at the crease . Period .