Partnership Statistics in Cricket: Records and Meaning
A batting partnership is the total runs scored while two batters are at the crease together. Learn how partnerships are counted, record partnerships by wicket, and why they define match outcomes.
What Is a Batting Partnership?
A batting partnership is the total runs scored while two specific batters are at the crease together, between the fall of consecutive wickets. Partnerships are recorded by wicket number (1st wicket, 2nd wicket, and so on) and are one of cricket's fundamental performance measures.
World Record Partnerships
| Wicket | Stand | Pair | Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 415 | Tamim / Imrul (Bangladesh) | vs Zimbabwe, 2014 |
| 2nd | 576 | Kumar / Jayawardena (SL) | vs India, 2006 |
| 3rd | 624 | Mahela / Sangakkara (SL) | vs South Africa, 2006 |
| 10th | 163 | Klusener / Donald (SA) / similar | Various |
Why Partnerships Matter
Partnerships build innings totals by preventing the fall of wickets. A team that loses wickets in clusters (multiple dismissals in quick succession with small partnerships) sets a lower total than a team that builds large partnerships. A 100-run partnership for the 6th wicket after a top-order collapse can rescue an innings from 80/5 to 200 all out.
Frequently asked questions
Does a partnership include runs from extras?
Extras (wides, no-balls, byes, leg byes) count in the team total but are not credited to the individual batters. A partnership total includes all runs scored (including extras) while those two batters were together.
What is an 'unbroken partnership'?
An unbroken partnership (marked as * in statistics) is one where neither batter was dismissed — they batted to the end of the innings or the team declared. It is indicated with an asterisk next to the partnership total.