Which five Proteas cricketers hold the record for the most ducks in Test matches?
This unfortunate record in South African cricket highlights the five players who have been dismissed without scoring the most times in Test cricket.
- JACQUES KALLIS – 16 DUCKS
Despite being South Africa’s highest run-scorer in Tests, Kallis also finds himself in the top five for recording ducks. With 278 Test innings under his belt, his 16 ducks seem relatively minor. Notably, England was responsible for four of these scoreless innings. - MARK BOUCHER – 16 DUCKS
Equaling Kallis with 16 ducks, former Proteas team director Boucher’s aggressive batting approach sometimes led to early dismissals. These ducks undoubtedly affected his average, which stood at 30.30. - ALLAN DONALD – 17 DUCKS
Known more for his bowling prowess, Donald experienced 17 scoreless innings in his Test career. He had a particularly tough time at the Kensington Oval, recording three ducks, including two golden ducks. Donald also made his Test debut here, scoring his highest Test total of 37 runs at the same venue. - MAKHAYA NTINI – 21 DUCKS
Ntini, primarily a bowler, had an entertaining yet not prolific batting career. Mostly batting at the tail end of the lineup, he was dismissed for zero twice in his career – once in Colombo against Sri Lanka in 2004 and then in Durban against Australia in 2006. - MORNE MORKEL – 22 DUCKS
Morkel, not the worst batsman to play for the Proteas, had certain technical flaws exploited by top bowlers. Entering his final Test series with 20 ducks, Morkel surpassed Ntini’s record by being dismissed for a second-ball duck in his final Test at the Wanderers, leaving Temba Bavuma at the other end on 95 not out.
