New Zealand all-rounder and bowling destroyer Nathan Astle has a unique record in his career which is standing tall even today when it comes to world cup history but it is an unwanted one.
The record has nothing to do with his batting onslaught, carving bowlers for sixes, or neither it has anything to do with his gentle medium-pace bowling.
Interestingly, Astle tops the charts as the player who has registered the most number of ducks in world cups.
Out of his 22 innings, Astle has failed to open his account on five occasions – a record which he jointly shares with Pakistan’s Ijaz Ahmed who achieved the feat in 26 innings.
It’s an odd one for Astle considering that he holds the record for the fastest double century in Test cricket history – 222 off just 153 deliveries against England – at Christchurch in 2001-02.
What is even more fascinating is the fact that both Astle and Ijaz are close to finding a third buddy sharing that record and it will be none other than the South African phenomenon AB de Villiers, who has four ducks from 15 innings.
