Periods of extraordinary highs and lows

What is the leanest patch Sachin Tendulkar has had in a glittering ODI career? How did Michael Hussey's Test average reach normal proportions after a superhuman start? It's what we've looked at this week: the largest differences - positive and negative - between a player's average in 20 consecutive innings and his overall career mean.

The widest gap between a 20-consecutive-innings mean and a career average belongs to former India batsman Dilip Vengsarkar. He averaged 105.66 in 14 Tests between December 1985 and February 1987, 63.53 runs more than his career figure of 42.13. Vengsarkar, in fact, had a prolific three-year period between December 1985 and November 1988, during which he scored 1851 runs in 21 Tests at an average of 88.14.

Michael Hussey began his career in November 2005 and averaged 80 in his first six Tests. The tour of South Africa in March 2006, however, was the start of his most productive period: Hussey scored 1460 runs in his next 13 Tests at an average of 91.25. At the end of the Sydney Test against India in January 2008, Hussey's career average was 84 after 20 Tests. His fortune was about to change though.

Best difference in batting average between career and 20 consecutive innings - Tests

Player	Start	End	Mat	Runs	Ave	HS	100		Career	Runs	Ave		Diff
DB Vengsarkar (India)	13 Dec 1985	21 Feb 1987	14	1268	105.66	166	5		1976-1992	6868	42.13		63.53
DB Vengsarkar (India)	2 Jan 1986	13 Mar 1987	14	1363	104.84	166	6		1976-1992	6868	42.13		62.71
HP Tillakaratne (SL)	29 Aug 2001	15 Nov 2002	15	1010	101.00	204*	4		1989-2004	4545	42.87		58.12
S Chanderpaul (WI)	17 May 2007	12 Jun 2008	11	1265	105.41	136*	5		1994-2009	8669	48.70		56.71
DB Vengsarkar (India)	26 Sep 1986	24 Nov 1988	15	1371	97.92	166	6		1976-1992	6868	42.13		55.79
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak)	29 Nov 2005	27 Nov 2006	12	2011	105.84	223	10		1998-2010	7431	53.07		52.76
A Flower (Zim)	1 Jun 2000	14 Sep 2001	12	1530	102.00	232*	4		1992-2002	4794	51.54		50.45
KC Sangakkara (SL)	27 Jul 2006	3 Apr 2008	13	1671	104.43	287	7		2000-2009	7549	55.10		49.33
DB Vengsarkar (India)	15 Oct 1986	24 Nov 1988	14	1349	89.93	166	6		1976-1992	6868	42.13		47.79
JC Adams (WI)	2 Jan 1993	8 Apr 1995	14	1220	87.14	174*	4		1992-2001	3012	41.26		45.88
JC Adams (WI)	19 Feb 1994	21 Apr 1995	13	1180	84.28	174*	4		1992-2001	3012	41.26		43.02
Mohammad Yousuf (Pak)	13 Jan 2006	19 Jan 2007	12	1820	95.78	202	9		1998-2010	7431	53.07		42.71
Shoaib Mohammad (Pak)	10 Feb 1989	23 Nov 1990	14	1387	86.68	203*	6		1983-1995	2705	44.34		42.34
HP Tillakaratne (SL)	13 Nov 2001	25 Apr 2003	14	1014	84.50	204*	4		1989-2004	4545	42.87		41.62
GS Sobers (WI)	26 Feb 1958	28 Jan 1960	13	1583	98.93	365*	7		1954-1974	8032	57.78		41.15
JC Adams (WI)	30 Jan 1993	8 Apr 1995	13	1146	81.85	174*	4		1992-2001	3012	41.26		40.59
S Chanderpaul (WI)	4 Jun 2004	13 Jul 2005	12	1330	88.66	203*	5		1994-2009	8669	48.70		39.96
MEK Hussey (Aus)	24 Mar 2006	2 Jan 2008	13	1460	91.25	182	5		2005-2010	3912	52.16		39.09
HP Tillakaratne (SL)	14 Aug 2001	28 Jul 2002	15	892	81.09	204*	3		1989-2004	4545	42.87		38.21
SR Waugh (Aus)	31 Mar 1995	25 Jan 1997	13	1245	88.92	200	4		1985-2004	10927	51.06		37.86

In 20 innings between November 28, 2008 and August 20, 2009, Hussey scored only 442 runs in 12 Tests at an average of 23. He had four half-centuries, a high score of 70, and five ducks. It was the leanest 20-innings stretch of his career after which his career average fell to 52.65. It is presently 52.16.

Sri Lanka's Thilan Samaraweera endured his worst run before his best. He went 20 consecutive innings spread between December 2005 and April 2008 averaging 20.50. The turnaround was around the corner, though, and Samaraweera averaged 85.47 in 12 Tests between July 2008 and August 2009, 34 runs more than his career average.

Inzamam-ul-Haq ended his career with an average of 49.60, two runs short of becoming Pakistan's highest runscorer in Tests. His most torturous run was between December 1997 and March 1999, when he scored 328 runs in 20 innings at an average of 17.26.

Worst difference in batting average between career and 20 consecutive innings - Tests

Player	Start	End	Mat	Runs	Ave	HS	100		Career	Runs	Ave		Diff
WR Hammond (Eng)	12 Aug 1933	29 Jun 1935	12	430	22.63	47	0		1927-1947	7249	58.45		-35.82
WR Hammond (Eng)	22 Jul 1933	29 Jun 1935	13	437	23.00	47	0		1927-1947	7249	58.45		-35.45
WR Hammond (Eng)	24 Jun 1933	15 Jun 1935	13	439	23.10	47	0		1927-1947	7249	58.45		-35.35
Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/Pak)	6 Dec 1997	4 Mar 1999	12	328	17.26	97	0		1992-2007	8830	49.60		-32.34
Inzamam-ul-Haq (ICC/Pak)	14 Feb 1998	4 Mar 1999	11	328	17.26	97	0		1992-2007	8830	49.60		-32.34
TT Samaraweera (SL)	2 Dec 2005	3 Apr 2008	12	369	20.50	65	0		2001-2009	3938	51.14		-30.64
JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	14 Dec 1995	19 Mar 1998	13	487	24.35	101	1		1995-2010	10843	54.76		-30.41
R Dravid (ICC/India)	26 Mar 2008	11 Dec 2008	11	453	23.84	111	1		1996-2010	11395	53.75		-29.90
MEK Hussey (Aus)	28 Nov 2008	20 Aug 2009	12	442	23.26	70	0		2005-2010	3912	52.16		-28.89
JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	2 Jan 1996	19 Mar 1998	12	535	26.75	101	1		1995-2010	10843	54.76		-28.01
DL Amiss (Eng)	22 Jun 1967	12 Jan 1973	11	331	18.38	56	0		1966-1977	3612	46.30		-27.91
WR Hammond (Eng)	22 Jun 1934	27 Jul 1935	12	557	30.94	87*	0		1927-1947	7249	58.45		-27.51
DL Amiss (Eng)	18 Aug 1966	12 Jan 1973	12	340	18.88	56	0		1966-1977	3612	46.30		-27.41
JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	3 Apr 2008	6 Mar 2009	13	573	28.65	132	1		1995-2010	10843	54.76		-26.11
MJ Clarke (Aus)	26 Nov 2004	3 Nov 2005	14	512	25.60	91	0		2004-2010	4375	51.47		-25.87
JH Kallis (ICC/SA)	29 Feb 2008	3 Jan 2009	13	550	28.94	132	1		1995-2010	10843	54.76		-25.81
RT Ponting (Aus)	23 Nov 2000	16 Aug 2001	12	535	29.72	144	1		1995-2010	11928	55.22		-25.50
VVS Laxman (India)	14 Mar 1997	2 Jan 2000	12	425	21.25	95	0		1996-2010	7136	46.64		-25.39
V Sehwag (ICC/India)	21 Jan 2006	26 Dec 2006	11	537	28.26	180	1		2001-2010	6691	53.52		-25.26
MD Crowe (NZ)	26 Feb 1982	16 Mar 1984	12	384	20.21	100	1		1982-1995	5444	45.36		-25.15

In one-day cricket the worst difference between a career average and an average of 20 consecutive innings belongs to Tendulkar. He now has 17,598 runs at an average of 45.12 but for 20 innings between January 1993 and March 1994, Tendulkar struggled, scoring 319 runs at an average of 19.75. The last match in that period was the first ODI against New Zealand in Napier in 1993. In the second at Eden Park, Tendulkar opened for the first time in his career, after spending most of his time in the lower-middle order, and blitzed 82 off 49 balls, the beginning of an era.

Hussey features once again in the ODI tables for best and worst difference in batting average between career and 20 consecutive innings. He made his debut on February 1 2004 and in his first 20 innings, Hussey scored six half-centuries, was unbeaten 13 times and averaged 107.71. He now averages 53.71 and the period between February 2007 and 2008 contributed to the decline - 470 runs at an average just under 30.

Worst difference in batting average between career and 20 consecutive innings - ODIs

Player	Start	End	Mat	Runs	Ave	HS	100		Career	Runs	Ave		Diff
SR Tendulkar (India)	21 Jan 1993	25 Mar 1994	20	316	19.75	52	0		1989-2010	17598	45.12		-25.37
DR Martyn (Aus)	8 Dec 1992	10 Jan 1999	20	280	15.55	51*	0		1992-2006	5346	40.80		-25.25
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	3 Feb 2001	12 Apr 2002	20	218	11.47	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-25.08
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	17 Jan 2001	8 Apr 2002	20	224	11.78	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-24.76
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	11 Jan 2001	12 Dec 2001	20	225	11.84	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-24.71
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	31 Jan 2001	9 Apr 2002	20	225	11.84	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-24.71
MEK Hussey (Aus)	4 Feb 2007	29 Feb 2008	20	470	29.37	105	1		2004-2010	4136	53.71		-24.33
MEK Hussey (Aus)	2 Feb 2007	24 Feb 2008	20	471	29.43	105	1		2004-2010	4136	53.71		-24.27
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	17 Dec 2000	4 Nov 2001	20	224	12.44	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-24.11
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	14 Jan 2001	19 Dec 2001	20	247	13.00	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-23.55
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	8 Feb 2001	17 Apr 2002	20	260	13.00	50	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-23.55
ST Jayasuriya (Asia/SL)	4 Jan 1990	4 Sep 1992	20	179	8.95	32	0		1989-2009	13428	32.43		-23.48
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	11 Feb 2001	27 Jun 2002	20	262	13.10	50	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-23.45
MEK Hussey (Aus)	28 Jan 2007	22 Feb 2008	20	485	30.31	105	1		2004-2010	4136	53.71		-23.40
DR Martyn (Aus)	10 Dec 1992	13 Jan 1999	20	296	17.41	51*	0		1992-2006	5346	40.80		-23.39
ST Jayasuriya (Asia/SL)	25 Apr 1990	13 Dec 1992	20	181	9.05	32	0		1989-2009	13428	32.43		-23.38
MEK Hussey (Aus)	21 Jan 2007	17 Feb 2008	20	486	30.37	105	1		2004-2010	4136	53.71		-23.33
ST Jayasuriya (Asia/SL)	26 Dec 1989	2 Mar 1992	20	183	9.15	32	0		1989-2009	13428	32.43		-23.28
KC Sangakkara (Asia/ICC/SL)	9 Jan 2001	11 Dec 2001	20	240	13.33	35	0		2000-2010	8152	36.55		-23.22
ST Jayasuriya (Asia/SL)	18 Feb 1990	5 Sep 1992	20	186	9.30	32	0		1989-2009	13428	32.43		-23.13

Lance Klusener was in remarkable one-day form between 1998 and 2000 and various streaks of his during this period dominate the table of best differences in batting average between a career and 20 successive innings. His best run, though, began on February 20, 1999 and ended on February 2, 2000. During this time he was Man of the Tournament in the World Cup and averaged 151.40 in 20 innings (757 runs with 15 not outs), 110.29 runs more than his final career average of 41.10.

Best difference in batting average between career and 20 consecutive innings - ODIs

Player	Start	End	Mat	Runs	Ave	HS	100		Career	Runs	Ave		Diff
L Klusener (SA)	20 Feb 1999	2 Feb 2000	20	757	151.40	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		110.29
L Klusener (SA)	27 Jan 1999	28 Sep 1999	20	759	126.50	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		85.39
L Klusener (SA)	2 Feb 1999	30 Sep 1999	20	717	119.50	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		78.39
L Klusener (SA)	17 Feb 1999	26 Jan 2000	20	692	115.33	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		74.22
L Klusener (SA)	26 Mar 1999	4 Feb 2000	20	680	113.33	101*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		72.22
L Klusener (SA)	7 Feb 1999	21 Jan 2000	20	672	112.00	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		70.89
L Klusener (SA)	21 May 1998	5 Jun 1999	20	744	106.28	103*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		65.18
L Klusener (SA)	23 May 1998	10 Jun 1999	20	726	103.71	103*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		62.61
L Klusener (SA)	22 Jan 1999	17 Jun 1999	20	724	103.42	103*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		62.32
L Klusener (SA)	24 Jan 1999	26 Sep 1999	20	704	100.57	103*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		59.46
MG Bevan (Aus)	11 Apr 1998	14 Apr 1999	20	882	110.25	101*	1		1994-2004	6912	53.58		56.66
MG Bevan (Aus)	14 Apr 1998	17 Apr 1999	20	878	109.75	101*	1		1994-2004	6912	53.58		56.16
L Klusener (SA)	14 Feb 1999	23 Jan 2000	20	678	96.85	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		55.75
L Klusener (SA)	27 Mar 1999	6 Feb 2000	20	674	96.28	101*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		55.18
MG Bevan (Aus)	18 Apr 1998	18 Apr 1999	20	862	107.75	101*	1		1994-2004	6912	53.58		54.16
MEK Hussey (Aus)	1 Feb 2004	26 Jan 2006	20	754	107.71	88*	0		2004-2010	4136	53.71		54.00
L Klusener (SA)	5 Feb 1999	3 Oct 1999	20	663	94.71	103*	2		1996-2004	3576	41.10		53.61
MG Bevan (Aus)	21 Apr 1998	24 Apr 1999	20	834	104.25	101*	1		1994-2004	6912	53.58		50.66
DR Martyn (Aus)	19 Jan 2000	4 Feb 2001	20	722	90.25	144*	2		1992-2006	5346	40.80		49.44
L Klusener (SA)	13 Apr 1998	29 May 1999	20	716	89.50	103*	1		1996-2004	3576	41.10		48.39