Australia vs New Zealand 2015, 2nd Test at Perth: WACA Test witnesses second-fastest scoring of all time

The second Test between Australia and New Zealand at Western Australia Cricket Ground (WACA) in the 2015-16 series will probably be remembered as Mitchell Johnson’s last international appearance. However, the Test has also witnessed several records tumble, most of them involving at least one of Ross Taylor (390 and 36*) and David Warner (253 and 22). Between them Taylor and Warner scored 603. To put things into perspective, the first Test between India and South Africa and Mohali saw 694 runs being scored for the loss of 20 wickets. Yes, the WACA pitch was that flat, and that conducive to big scoring. Scorecard: Australia vs New Zealand 2015-15, 2nd Test at Perth

The other standout aspect of the Test was the pace at which the runs were scored. While a wicket fell every 59.7 runs (this means a team score of 597 all out, on average), they were scored at an astronomical 4 runs an over: this remains the second-highest in history with a 1,500-run cut-off. Ross Taylor 3rd New Zealand batsman to score 300 in a Test

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Most big innings throughout the Test were scored at breakneck pace: Warner got his 253 in 286 balls (strike rate 88.5); Usman Khawaja, 121 in 186 (65.1); Taylor, 290 in 374 (77.5); Williamson, 166 in 250 (66.4); and Steven Smith, 138 in 185 (74.6). Adam Voges was the only one whose hundred came at a reasonably slow pace: his 119 took 240 balls, which meant he scored at 49.6 runs every hundred balls.

For bowlers, Trent Boult (first innings), Tim Southee (second innings), and Matt Henry (first innings) all went at over four an over in spells of 20 or more overs. Mark Craig returned 23-0-123-3 and 18-1-81-0 (at 4.98). For Australia, Mitchell Johnson went for a whopping 5.60 in the first innings, while Josh Hazlewood went for over four.

Fastest scoring in a Test (1,500 or more runs):

Note: The highest run rate for any Test (without restrictions) is 4.93 between Pakistan and India at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, in 2005-06. Only 8 wickets fell in the Test: Pakistan piled up 679 for 7 (at 4.73 an over), but India responded in style, amassing 410 for 1 at a whopping 5.30. The combined run rate was 4.93, while runs were scored at 136.1 per wicket.