Rewind to: A day a Zimbabwean dominated the ICC rankings and it began in India

Andy Flower enjoyed a dominant run in world cricket when he smashed 1466 runs in the 2000/01 calendar year and his dominance began in India.

Andy Flower had a remarkable year in which he hit 1466 runs at an average of 133. (Image credit: Cricbuzz Twitter)
By Siddharth vishwanathan | Nov 18, 2021 | 4 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

When one looks at ICC rankings for the best batsmen, allrounder, or bowler, teams like India, Australia, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, and the West Indies dominate. Sometimes, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh players make their way into the rankings. But, it is very rare for nations like Zimbabwe to make their presence felt in the rankings as they play very limited cricket. But, in the early part of the 21st century, Zimbabwe was a competitive nation giving other nations a run for their money. This was all possible due to the brilliance of Andy Flower, the nation’s ultimate wicketkeeper-batsman.

It was the exploits of Andy Flower in the first part of the 21st century that made him one of the premier players in world cricket. It was his performances against India that caught the eye of the world. Out of his 4794 runs, 1138 came against India. He averaged 94 against them. On spinning conditions, he averaged a brilliant 117. In the year 2000/01, he began a remarkable run that saw him top the ICC rankings for the first time. His brilliance also helped Zimbabwe consolidate its reputation as a fierce competitor, although some results did not go their way.

Andy Flower blossoms against India

In the first series for Zimbabwe in 2000, they played India in two Tests in Delhi and Nagpur. During the first Test in Delhi, Flower put in a magnificent performance by hammering 183. The way he tackled the spinners at the slow, low Feroz Shah Kotla was simply sublime. But, Flower and Zimbabwe were unlucky to run into Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar who were in prime form. Dravid hit 200 and Tendulkar hit a century as India gained a lead. On a wearing pitch, Flower hit 70 but Zimbabwe was bowled out for 225. Dravid once again hit 70 as India won by seven wickets.

In the second Test at Nagpur, India racked up over 600 runs thanks to centuries from Shiv Sundar Das and Rahul Dravid. Tendulkar hit a double ton to help India finish on 609/6 declared. Despite a fifty from Andy and a century from his brother Grant Flower, Zimbabwe was forced to follow-on. But, in the second innings, Andy raised his game to a different level. On a pitch that had flattened, Flower blasted 232 and he was well-assisted by Alistair Campbell who hit a century. Zimbabwe drew the match by notching up 503/6 as the match ended in a draw.

Flower continues to bloom all over the world

Zimbabwe traveled to New Zealand for a Test in Wellington and Flower hit 79 to ensure the Test was drawn. In the two-Test series against Bangladesh, Flower hit 73 and 23. When India came for the series in Zimbabwe in 2001, Flower hit two fifties in the Bulawayo Test but the hosts lost the match. His 51 and 83 continued his great run against India as it was his sixth consecutive fifty-plus score against them. Flower’s streak ended when he hit 45 and 8 in the Harare Test that allowed Zimbabwe to win and level the series.

When South Africa came to Zimbabwe for a two-Test series, Flower showed his brilliance. Against a South Africa team that had Gary Kirsten, Jacques Kallis, and Herschelle Gibbs, Zimbabwe’s bowlers struggled. Gibbs, Kirsten, and Kallis all hit centuries, with Kirsten hitting 220. South Africa declared at 600/3 but Andy Flower gave the hosts something to smile when he smashed 142.

Forced to follow on, Zimbabwe was facing an innings defeat. At 25/3, it was an uphill task. But, Flower put in a performance for the ages as he helped Zimbabwe avoid an innings defeat. He shared partnerships with the middle and lower order to end with an unbeaten 199. Flower remained one of the few players to remain unbeaten on 199 but Zimbabwe lost the match by nine wickets. It was a courageous performance from Flower.

Flower ends the year in grand style

In the second Test against South Africa, Flower hit 67 and 14 as the Test ended in a draw. When Zimbabwe visited Bangladesh, Flower overcame his previous failure. He fell for 28 in the first Test in Dhaka but in the second Test, he continued his love for Asian conditions. The left-hander smashed 114 as Zimbabwe won by eight wickets to win the series 1-0.

It was a fabulous year for Flower as he ended with 1466 runs in 11 innings. He smashed five hundreds and seven fifties to end with an average of 133. It was truly a feat that Sir Don Bradman would have been proud of. Flower’s prowess in Asia was simply unbelievable. He averaged 117 in India, close to 40 in Pakistan, and 142 in Bangladesh. It was only against Sri Lanka that he stumbled, managing just 23 but he hit one century at the Sinhalese Sports Club in Colombo. Overall, his average in Asia was 53.

Flower was one of the most prolific Test players from Zimbabwe. He is the only player from the country to have averaged 50 in his career. The run in 2000/01 was symbolic of why Flower was simply one of the best in the business.





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