Zimbabwe wicketkeeper Clive Madande set a never-seen-before unwanted record when he conceded 42 byes in a Test innings against Ireland on Friday. The 24-year old Madande endured a tough debut against Ireland at Stormont as he was dismissed for a duck on the first day of the test.
Thanks to the 42 runs given away through byes, Ireland went on to form a 47-run stand for the 10th wicket between Andy McBrine and Matthew Humphreys. This took the hosts’ first innings total to 250 in comparison to Zimbabwe’s first innings total of 210. Now the hosts carry a 40-run lead over the visitors.
The byes were not entirely his fault as he had to deal with his bowlers sending several deliveries down the legside and late swing after the ball had passed the bat. Madande broke the record of England’s Les Ames who is widely regarded as one of cricket’s great wicketkeepers. He gave away 37 byes in Australia’s total of 327 in a Test at The Oval back in 1934.
This was the first time ever that a wicketkeeper conceded more than 40 byes in Test cricket.
