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| Sunday, 2 January 2005 |
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Langer and Kumble top Test lists for 2004 SYDNEY, Jan 1 (Reuters) - Australian opener Justin Langer and Indian spinner Anil Kumble topped Test cricket's international batting and bowling lists for 2004. Langer finished as the world's leading run scorer for the year with 1481 runs at an average of 54.85 while Kumble was the top bowler with 74 wickets at 24.84. The left-handed Langer struck five centuries, including a knock of 215, to equal the third highest run tally in a calendar year. The record of 1710 was set by West Indian Viv Richards in 1976. Langer's Australian team mate Damien Martyn finished second with 1353 runs at 56.38, including six centuries, followed by South African Jacques Kallis, whose 1288 runs came at an astonishing average of 80.50. West Indian captain Brian Lara regained his individual test world record with an unbeaten 400 not out against England in April while Indian opener Virender Sehwag was the only other player to pass 300 with his 309 against Pakistan in March. Kumble broke Saqlain Mushtaq's record for the most Test wickets in a calendar year as well as passing Kapil Dev as India's greatest wicket taker. Australia's Shane Warne also broke Saqlain's old mark of 69 with 70 wickets at 24.07 but gained plenty of consolation for finishing second as he became the greatest wicket-taker of all time. Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan had taken the record from Courtney Walsh earlier in the year but injury restricted his appearances during 2004 and he finished equal fifth with 47 wickets. Australia's Glenn McGrath captured the best figures for a single innings in the year when he snared eight for 24 against Pakistan in Perth. Australian wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist captured the most dismissals in the field, taking 58 catches and making eight stumpings during the year. |
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