Ravichandran Ashwin became the newest addition to the Players’ Club after achieving 1000 runs and 100 wickets against opponents in Test cricket, achieving the feat against England. This unique double is not as easy as it seems, as only seven players in the history of Test cricket have achieved this feat.
Test cricket has produced legendary all-rounders over the decades, including Imran Khan, Gary Sobers, Ian Botham, Jacques Kallis, Sean Pollock, and Andrew Flintoff. He is the only 17-year-old all-rounder in the history of Test cricket to have scored 3000 runs and taken 200 wickets in a career.
Against opponents, it is even harder for him to achieve the feat of 1000 runs and 100 wickets. Australia and England have been playing the sport the longest, and given the amount of Test cricket played, it’s no surprise that all seven of these lawsuits were against either Australia or England. Only two of these players have achieved the double while playing in non-Ashes countries.
Players with 1000 runs and 100 wickets against a team in Test cricket
The first three players to achieve doubles of 1000 runs and 100 wickets against a single opponent were from an era when there was not much international cricket apart from England and Australia. Check out the complete list of players who have scored 1000 runs and 100 wickets against opponents in Test cricket.
| Player | Runs | Average | Wickets | Average | Opponent |
| George Giffen | 1238 | 23.35 | 103 | 27.09 | England |
| Monty Noble | 1905 | 30.72 | 115 | 24.86 | England |
| Wilfred Rhodes | 1706 | 31.01 | 109 | 24.00 | Australia |
| Garry Sobers | 3214 | 60.64 | 102 | 32.52 | England |
| Ian Botham | 1673 | 29.35 | 148 | 27.65 | Australia |
| Stuart Broad | 1019 | 18.87 | 153 | 28.96 | Australia |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 1085 | 35.00 | 100 | 29.82 | England |
George Giffen
George Giffen became the first player to achieve double records of 1000 runs and 100 wickets against one opponent. Giffen was one of the earliest cricketers; from 1881, he played international cricket until 1896. He was successful in his FC career, appearing in 251 matches, scoring over 11,000 runs, and taking 1,022 wickets.
The medium-paced right-handed batsman played 31 Tests for Australia during his career, all against England. George Giffen took 103 wickets at an average of 27.09 and had seven five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he recorded 1,238 RBIs and an average of 23.35 RBIs. Giffen scored one century and six half-centuries against England.
Monty Noble
Although Monty Noble had a long FC career, he only played international cricket for 11 years, from 1898 to 1909. His FC numbers were exceptional, he scored around 14,000 runs at an average of 41 wickets and 624 wickets at 23.14 wickets each.
During his Test career, Noble played in 39 of 42 Test matches against England and three against South Africa. He scored 1905 runs against England at an average of 30.72. That included a century and a half. The right-arm bowler took 115 wickets against England, taking 24.86 wickets each, with best match figures of 13/77.
Wilfred Rhodes
Wilfred Rhodes holds the record for the longest international cricketing career in history, which lasted from 1899 to 1930. His overall FC numbers are a staggering figure of almost 40,000 runs and his 4,204 wickets.
Wilfred Rhodes played 58 Tests for England and became only the third player to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets against a single opponent. He scored 1706 runs in 42 Tests against Australia, averaging 31 runs per century. The left-arm orthodox spinners took 109 wickets against their arch-rivals, with 24 wickets each.
Garry Sobers
Garry Sobers is perhaps the best all-rounder Test cricket has ever seen. The former West Indies captain had an outstanding Test career from 1954 to his 1974 season. Sobers played 93 Tests throughout his career, scoring 8032 runs with 26 centuries at a ridiculous average of 57.78. The versatile left-arm bowler picked up 235 wickets at 34.03 each.
Sobers enjoyed playing against England, and in 36 Tests, he scored 3214 runs at an average of 60.64. He scored 1000 points and 1350 points against England. With the ball, he scalped 102 times, averaged 32.57, and had a career-best 8/80.
Ian Botham
Ian Botham was one of England’s greatest cricketers. His influence on English cricket as an all-rounder is immeasurable. He played 102 Tests for England from 1976 to 1992, scoring 5200 runs at an average of 33.54 and taking 383 wickets at 28.40 each.
Botham played 36 Tests against arch-rivals Australia, scoring 1673 runs with four centuries at an average of 29.35. The right-arm fast bowler took 148 wickets against England at an average of 27.65, including nine five-wicket hauls.
Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad was primarily a seam bowler who excelled with the bat. The Englishman has taken 604 wickets in 164 matches in his Test career, taking 27.68 wickets each, including 20 five-wicket hauls. He also scored 3662 runs at an average of 18.
Broad had quite a rivalry with Australia, taking 153 wickets at an average of 28.96 and taking eight five-wicket hauls. The left-handed batsman scored 1019 runs at an average of 18.87 and 450 bats. Broad also experienced a career highlight in 2015 when they defeated Australia 8-15 at Trent Bridge.
Ravichandran Ashwin
India’s Ravichandran Ashwin dismissed England’s Jonny Bairstow on February 23, joining the list of players who have achieved 1000 runs and 100 wickets against opponents. Ashwin had an illustrious Test career, scoring 502 wickets (24.02) and 3308 runs (at an average of 26.67).
Ashwin played 23 Tests against England, including the ongoing Test in Ranchi. The off-spinner took 100 wickets at an average of 29.82, including six five-wicket hauls. With the bat, he averaged 35 runs and scored 1085 runs with one century and six half-centuries.