Partnership (cricket)

A partnership is a term used in cricket, that usually refers to the two batters and the runs they score together, including extras. Two batters bat in a partnership, although only one is a striker at any time. The partnership between two batsmen will come to an end when one of them is dismissed or retires, or the innings comes to a close, usually due to victory being achieved, a declaration, a time or over limit being reached, the match being abandoned. In exceptional cases, if one of the original batters are injured, a player may run between the wickets on behalf of the injured batter. However, any runs scored by the injured batter will be recorded as being in the partnership of the two original batters. A partnership may also refer to two bowlers bowling from each end of the wicket.

Strategy in cricket
Strong batting cohesion in partnerships is widely considered to be an important aspect of cricket. Generally speaking, top-order batters are superior to low-order batters; therefore, partnerships are usually greater when between two top-order batters, although it is relatively common for a lower-order batter with good defence to intelligently coordinate strike rotation to preserve wickets in hand and keep runs ticking over, a strategy that is common in both one-day cricket and Test cricket. Many believe that a key to a successful partnership is when to batters have differing playing styles. For instance, Marcus Trescothick, known for aggressive style of batting, and Mike Atherton, known for a defensive approach, formed successful opening partnerships for England. Likewise, batters differing physical appearance may also contribute to a successful partnership. An example of this is Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. Crawley is a tall right-handed batter, whereas Duckett is a much shorter left-handed batter. It is encouraged that they rotate the strike, allowing each other to face the bowler regularly, and effective communication in calling runs is considered preferable for a successful partnership.

Lower-order partnerships are usually much smaller than those for early partnerships. In certain scenarios, middle- and low-order batters often tend to score at a higher strike rate. This is to score as many runs as possible before running out of batting partners, a tactic usually employed when a Test team is considering a declaration or when a one-day innings is closing in on its conclusion. Batters such as Adam Gilchrist and Andrew Flintoff are widely regarded as some of the best middle-order batters. Similarly, in a citation were there are no recognised batters remaining, tail-end batters may often play aggressively, with the purpose of more runs before the team is all out. Another example, as alluded to earlier, is where there is one not-out recognised batter and one tail-end batter; in this case, the recognised may often seek to be on strike as much as possible. A specific example of this is in Test cricket was when Ben Stokes and Jack Leach scored a crucial partnership of 75 to win a match at Headingly during the 2019 Ashes Series.

In red-ball cricket
In test and first-class cricket, during opening partnerships, the primary focus is often on seeing off the new ball. In later partnerships, the emphasis shifts towards consolidation, facing an aging ball, spin bowling, and eventually the second new ball.

The importance of batting in partnership becomes even more crucial when only one recognized quality batsman remains. In such cases, their responsibility includes guiding the lower-order batsmen while attempting to score as many runs as possible or simply trying to save the game. Minimizing risk is vital, often achieved by exposing the lesser batsmen to as little bowling as possible. Boundaries and twos are preferred, and singles are avoided, especially in the early parts of an over. However, it may be necessary to score a single or three runs on the last ball of the over to counteract the change of bowling ends.

In white-ball cricket
In t20 and ODI cricket batters will often look to score at a higher strike rate. This is more apparent in the powerplay.

Windies Team hold the record of highest partnership against Zimbabwe at canberra on 24 Feb 2015. MN Samuels, Chris Gayle scored 372 for 2nd wicket.

Effect on the opposition
Large partnerships do more than simply add runs to the scoreboard, they may also serve to exhaust and demoralise the fielding team. Both of these were major factors at the famous Test match at Eden Gardens in 2001, when India's V. V. S. Laxman and Rahul Dravid put on a fifth-wicket stand of 376 runs, staying at the crease for the entire fourth day's play without being dismissed. Despite having forced their opponents to follow on, Steve Waugh's highly regarded Australians were left emotionally and physically drained, slumping to a shock-heavy (171 run) defeat. Even if nowhere near as damaging numerically, larger-than-expected last wicket stands can still be very demoralising, especially because as soon as the Number 11 batsman walks out of the pavilion, many of the fielders expect to be batting within minutes and start their mental preparations. If the last wicket partnership lasts much longer than they expect, it has an adverse effect on their preparation and composure, as well as their energy level deteriorating from extra time on the field. It is also damaging to the confidence of the bowlers if they are unable to dismiss a team's worst batsman relatively easily. A good example of this came in the First Test between Australia and New Zealand at Brisbane Cricket Ground in 2004. The Kiwis performed well for the first two days, and while the Australians did recover strongly on the third, the New Zealanders were still well in the hunt when Glenn McGrath, the Australian fast bowler and notoriously poor batsman, came to the crease to accompany fellow tail-ender Jason Gillespie with nine wickets down. Incredibly, the pair put on 114 runs, both achieving half centuries (McGrath's first in a long Test career in which he has never averaged more than 8 with the bat). The humiliated New Zealanders lost energy and focus, and when they finally removed McGrath and went in to bat, their batting order was devastated, collapsing to 76 all out, giving Australia an innings victory with a day to spare. During the second Test of the 2005 Ashes, Australia's tailenders Shane Warne, Michael Kasprowicz and Brett Lee famously held out during their second innings after the top order had been decimated by England's bowlers and nearly won a tightly contested match, losing by a mere 2 runs, the narrowest margin in Ashes history.

Bowling partnerships
Two bowlers may be said to be bowling in tandem when they bowl all of a certain set of consecutive overs.

James Anderson and Stuart Broad hold the record for most wickets in a bowling partnership. They have taken 1039 wickets together.

Test record partnerships by wicket
Correct as of 1 November 2021

Top 10 Test partnerships (for any wicket)
Correct as of 1 November 2021

* = unbroken partnership

First-class record partnerships by wicket
Correct as of 1 November 2021

* = unbroken partnership

Top 10 first-class partnerships (for any wicket)
Correct as of 1 November 2021

* = unbroken partnership.

One-Day International record partnerships by wicket
Correct as of 1 November 2021

* = unbroken partnership

Top 10 One-Day International partnerships (for any wicket)
Correct as of 1 November 2021

* = unbroken partnership