Apartnership incricket refers to the collaboration between twobatters and the runs they accumulate together, including extras. While both batters are involved in a partnership, only one is the striker at any given time.^[1] A partnership between two batters ends when one of them isdismissed,retires, or when theinnings concludes. An innings may end due to a victory being achieved, adeclaration, the expiration of a time orover limit, or the abandonment of the match. In exceptional circumstances, if one of the original batters is injured, a substitute runner may complete runs on their behalf. However, any runs scored will still be recorded as part of the partnership between the two original batters.^[2] The term partnership may also refer to twobowlers delivering alternate overs from opposite ends of thewicket.^[3]

Strong batting cohesion in partnerships is widely regarded as an important aspect of cricket. Generally, top-orderbatters are superior to lower-order batters; therefore, partnerships are usually more substantial when formed between two top-order batters. However, it is relatively common for a lower-order batter with strong defensive skills to intelligently rotate the strike, preserving wickets while maintaining the scoring rate—a strategy frequently employed in bothOne Day Internationals andTest cricket.

Many believe that a key to a successful partnership is the contrast in playing styles between the two batters.^[4] For instance,Marcus Trescothick, known for his aggressive batting style,^[5] andMike Atherton,^[6] renowned for his defensive approach, formed successful opening partnerships forEngland. Similarly, differences in physical appearance may also contribute to an effective partnership. An example of this isZak Crawley andBen Duckett—Crawley is a tall right-handed batter, whereas Duckett is a much shorter left-handed batter.^[7] It is encouraged that batters rotate the strike regularly, allowing both players to face the bowler, while effective communication when calling runs is considered crucial for a successful partnership.^[8][9]

Lower-order partnerships are generally much smaller than those formed earlier in an innings.^[10] In certain scenarios, middle- and lower-order batters tend to score at a higherstrike rate.^{[citation needed]} This approach aims to maximise runs before running out of batting partners, a tactic commonly employed when a Test team is considering adeclaration or when a one-day innings is nearing its conclusion.^[11]

Batters such asAdam Gilchrist andAndrew Flintoff are widely regarded as some of the best middle-order players in cricket history.^[12] Similarly, when no recognised batters remain, tail-end batters often adopt an aggressive approach to add as many runs as possible before the team is all out. Another common scenario occurs when one recognised batter remains alongside a tail-end batter; in such cases, the recognised batter may attempt to retain strike as frequently as possible. A notable example of this strategy occurred in Test cricket during the2019 Ashes Series atHeadingley, whereBen Stokes andJack Leach produced a crucial 75-run partnership to secure a dramatic victory for England.^[13]

InTest andfirst-class cricket, the primary focus of an opening partnership is often to negotiate thenew ball, which typically offers greater movement and bounce. In later partnerships, the emphasis shifts towards consolidating the innings, facing an ageing ball andspin bowling, and eventually preparing for the second new ball.

The importance of batting in partnership becomes even more crucial when only one recognised quality batter remains. In such situations, their role includes guiding the lower-order batters while attempting to accumulate as many runs as possible or, in some cases, simply trying to save the match.

Minimising risk is essential, often achieved by shielding the lesser batters from strike as much as possible.Boundaries and twos are preferred, whilesingles are generally avoided, particularly early in the over. However, it may become necessary to take a single or three runs on the final delivery of the over to manage the change of ends and maintain strike.

InT20 and One Day International (ODI) cricket, batters often aim to score at a higher strike rate, with this approach being particularly evident during thepowerplay.

TheWest Indies hold the record for the highest partnership in ODI cricket, achieved againstZimbabwe inCanberra on 24 February 2015.Marlon Samuels andChris Gayle shared a 372-run partnership for the second wicket.^[14]

Large partnerships contribute more than just runs to thescoreboard; they can also exhaust and demoralise the fielding team. This was particularly evident in thefamous Test match atEden Gardens in 2001, whenIndia'sV. V. S. Laxman andRahul Dravid shared a 376-run partnership for the fifth wicket, occupying the crease for the entire fourth day's play without being dismissed. Despite having enforced thefollow-on,Steve Waugh's highly regardedAustralian side was left emotionally and physically drained, ultimately succumbing to a shocking 171-run defeat.

Even if not as numerically significant, unexpectedly large last-wicket stands can still be highly demoralising. When the number 11 batter walks out to bat, many fielders anticipate a swift conclusion and begin mentally preparing for their own innings. If the final-wicket partnership extends much longer than expected, it can disrupt their focus, drain their energy, and undermine their composure. Additionally, failing to dismiss a team’s weakest batter with ease can damage the confidence of thebowlers.

A notable example occurred in the first Test between Australia andNew Zealand at theBrisbane Cricket Ground in 2004. New Zealand performed well over the first two days, and although Australia recovered strongly on the third, the match remained finely balanced whenGlenn McGrath—afast bowler and notoriously poor batter—joined fellow tailenderJason Gillespie with nine wickets down. Against expectations, the pair put on a remarkable 114-run partnership, with both batters reachinghalf centuries—McGrath’s first in a long Test career in which he never averaged more than eight with the bat. The deflated New Zealand side lost energy and focus, and when they finally dismissed McGrath and went in to bat, their batting order collapsed to 76all out, handing Australia an innings victory with a day to spare.

Another famous example came during the second Test of the2005 Ashes. Australia'stailendersShane Warne,Michael Kasprowicz, andBrett Lee defied England’s bowlers in a tense final innings, nearly pulling off an improbable victory. Despite their top order being dismantled, the lower order held firm and took the game to the brink, ultimately falling just two runs short—the narrowest margin of victory in Ashes history.

Two bowlers are said to be bowling in tandem when they deliver all the overs in a specific sequence of consecutive overs.^[15]

James Anderson andStuart Broad hold the record for the most wickets taken in a bowling partnership, having claimed a total of 1,039 wickets together.

Correct as of 11 October 2024^[16]

Correct as of 11 October 2024^[17]

* = unbroken partnership

Correct as of 1 November 2021^[18]

* = unbroken partnership

Correct as of 1 November 2021^[19]

* = unbroken partnership.

Correct as of 1 November 2021^[20]

* = unbroken partnership

Correct as of 1 November 2021^[21]

* = unbroken partnership

• A few marathon partnerships fromThe Hindu
• Partnerships fromHowstat
• List of record partnerships in Tests fromESPN.com
• Tests - Partnership Records fromcricinfo.com
• first-class partnership records from CricketArchiveArchived 3 March 2016 at theWayback Machine

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