James Franklin’s International career in numbers

Not many would know that the New Zealand left-handed all-rounder began his career as a swing bowler eventually became a trustable all-rounder in the limited-overs cricket. In the latter stages of his career, James Franklin looked out to be the versatile player for T20 franchises and won a couple of close matches with his hitting ability.

On occasion of James Franklin’s 37th birthday, we look at his achievements and numbers in International cricket.

2 – He is one of the two New Zealand players till date who have picked a hat-trick in Test cricket. Franklin took a hat-trick against Bangladesh in 2004 in Dhaka becoming the 2nd New Zealand player with a Test hat-trick after Peter Petherick. The former NZ off-spinner took a hat-trick in a Test match against Pakistan in 1976 in Lahore.

4/15 – His bowling figures of 4/15 against England in Hamilton T20I in 2013 are the 4th best figures for a New Zealand player in T20I cricket. Tim Southee is the only player to take a 5-fer for New Zealand in T20Is till date.

8 – Number of New Zealand players including Franklin who have scored 2500 runs and taken 150 wickets in International cricket. He is one of the 12 Kiwis players with 1000 runs and 50 wickets in ODI cricket.

9 – He is one of the nine New Zealanders to be dismissed for a duck in both the innings on Test debut. He is one of the 42 players so far to bag a pair on Test debut. He was out the first ball in the 1st innings and on the 4th ball in the 2nd essay on his debut in Auckland against Pakistan in 2001.

122* – Franklin’s highest Test score of 122* came against South Africa in 2006 in Cape Town when he batted at No.9. His innings of 122* is the 6th highest individual score for any player in Test cricket while batting at No.9 and lower.

256 – His partnership with Stephen Fleming for the 8th wicket against South Africa in 2006 is the 3rd highest 8th wicket partnership in Test cricket and New Zealand’s highest for the position. Franklin is involved in New Zealand’s record stand for the 8th wicket in ODI cricket. He shared a 94-run partnership with Nathan McCullum in Vadodara against India in 2010.

387.50 – James Franklin’s batting strike rate during his unbeaten knock of 31 off 8 balls against Canada in 2011 World Cup. It is the highest batting S/R for any player in an innings in ODI cricket. (Min: 30 runs)