Headingley - A handful of Test facts and figures ...

Hidden among the sleepy backstreets of suburban Leeds is Headingley Cricket Ground, an international venue since 1899 in an area now heavily populated by student's of the city's three universities.
By The Newsroom
Published 19th May 2016, 11:38 BST
Updated 19th May 2016, 12:41 BST
Ian Botham leaves the Headingley pitch after England's memorable victory over Australia in 1981.Ian Botham leaves the Headingley pitch after England's memorable victory over Australia in 1981.
Ian Botham leaves the Headingley pitch after England's memorable victory over Australia in 1981.

The ground, which sits alongside Leeds Rhinos, will play host to the first Test of the English summer on Thursday when England welcome Sri Lanka to Yorkshire.

The last time the two teams met here in June 2014 it saw the visitors emerge victorious with a historic 100-run win being their first win at this ground in their 24-year Test history. It also sealed their first-ever series win in England.

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Here we profile Headingley Cricket ground’s Test history ...

LEGEND: Sir Donald Bradman holds the record for most Test runs scored at Headingley.LEGEND: Sir Donald Bradman holds the record for most Test runs scored at Headingley.
LEGEND: Sir Donald Bradman holds the record for most Test runs scored at Headingley.

The first international game to be played here was against Australia in 1899. The game itself was a draw with England’s Jack Hearne taking a hat trick.

The Highest ever total posted in test cricket at Headingley was 653/4 declared by Australia on 1993 with centuries for David Boon 107, Steve Waugh 157 not out and a double century for Allan Border 200 not out. The Aussies went on to win the test by an innings and 148 runs.

It is no surprise that the highest score in Test cricket on this ground was achieved by the greatest cricket of all time, Sir Don Bradman, who amassed 334 - incidentally his highest ever Test score.

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Sir Don Bradman also holds the record of being the ground’s leading run-scorer of all time with 963 runs in six innings, scoring four centuries at an eye-watering average of 192.60. He is closely followed by Yorkshire’s very own Geoffrey Boycott, who managed 897 runs at an average of 59.80.

England captain Alastair Cook walks across for an indoor nets session at Headingley earlier this week ahead of his team's Test match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Simon Cooper/PA.England captain Alastair Cook walks across for an indoor nets session at Headingley earlier this week ahead of his team's Test match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Simon Cooper/PA.
England captain Alastair Cook walks across for an indoor nets session at Headingley earlier this week ahead of his team's Test match against Sri Lanka. Picture: Simon Cooper/PA.

Bradman also features in the highest-ever partnership to be staged in Tests at Headingley when he and William Ponsford put on 388 for the fourth wicket in 1934.

The bowler who has taken the most Test wickets at Headingley is Yorkshire’s own Fred Trueman. ‘Fiery Fred’ took 44 wickets at an average of 18.06 in his nine games representing England on his home ground.

The best bowling figures recorded at the ground are by England’s Bob Willis. His 8-43 in against Australia in 1981 was one of the most memorable spells of bowling in the history of Test cricket as he and Sir Ian Botham masterminded an England victory against their great rivals against all the odds.

Related topics:HeadingleyEnglandYorkshireLeedsLeeds Rhinos