Do you know which batter averaged better than even Don Bradman?
Don Bradman has the best average in Test cricket history for a minimum of 20 innings played, at a staggering 99.94. Bradman was one of the greatest and finest cricketers the world cricket ever produced. But Andy Ganteaume was one such player who averaged better than the Australian and still has the second-best average overall.
Former West Indies player Ganteaume created a unique record in Test cricket’s history. He played just a solitary Test match and ended up with an average of 112.00. He achieved the feat against England at Port of Spain in Trinidad in February 1948.
The English side toured West Indies for a four-match Test series in January-April 1948. During the second match, the visitors batted first and got bowled out for 362. In reply, Ganteaume opened the innings with George Carew and scored 112 with the help of 13 fours.
His side scored 497 in their first innings with the match eventually finishing in a draw. The right-handed batter did not a chance to bat in the second innings as he ended up amassing 112 runs in the game at an average of 112.00. His record was surpassed by Australia’s Kurtis Patterson, who mustered 144 runs in two games with an average of 144.00.
Born on January 22, 1921, the Trinidadian played 50 First-Class games and racked up 2785 runs at an average of 34.81. In 85 FC innings, he struck five centuries and 17 half-centuries with the highest score of 159. On February 17, 2016, the one-Test wonder passed away in Santa Margarita aged 95. At the time of his death, he was the oldest surviving West Indian Test cricketer.
