
Andy Sandham, Test cricket’s first triple centurion, was born in Streatham, London, on July 6. 1890. He made his Surrey debut in 1911, and got his cap two years later. Sandham debuted for England in 1921 against Australia, but was dismissed for 21.
In the 1922-1923 season, the right-handed batter went to South Africa, but only managed to register one half-century in his nine innings. Sandham also failed to live up to his potential against South Africa and Australia in 1924.
The England opener failed to get too many opportunities after Herbert Sutcliffe made his Test debut in 1924. The latter did well with Jack Hobbs for company at the top of the order. Sandham went to South Africa in 1926-27 and scoring consistently against domestic teams, averaging above 60. However, he couldn’t make the cut in the playing XI in any of the Test matches.
Sandham, however, featured in a series against the West Indies in 1929-30. This turned out to be a turning point in his career. He scored a stunning 152 in the first innings of the first Test at Bridgetown, and followed it up with a 51-run knock in the second innings.
However, in the next couple of games, he aggregated 14 runs in four innings. In the fourth and final Test in Kingston, Sandham scripted history as he amassed a belligerent 325 not out. The determined batter became the first cricketer to register a triple century in Test cricket. Sandham also scored a half-century in the second innings. This turned out to be his last Test appearance. He still holds the record for the highest runs tally by a batter in his final Test match.
In 14 Tests, Sandham scored 879 runs at an average of 38.21, including two centuries and three half-centuries. In first-class cricket, he amassed a whopping 41,284 runs from 643 matches and 1000 innings at an average of 44.82. He had aggregated 165 fifties and 107 tons in the first-class arena.
Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.