 | SUB DISMISSALS SINCE SEP 2001 England 18 in 52 Tests (17 catches, 1 run-out) W Indies 16 in 47 (12c, 4ro) India 14 in 41 (13c, 1ro) Pakistan 10 in 33 (9c, 1ro) New Zealand 10 in 36 (10c) Bangladesh 8 in 34 (8c) Sri Lanka 7 in 37 (6c, 1ro) Zimbabwe 5 in 27 (5c) South Africa 8 in 47 (8c) Australia 4 in 50 (3c, 1ro) |
England substitute fielders have effected more Test dismissals than any other team over the past four years.
In 52 Tests since September 2001, England subs have dismissed 18 batsmen - in contrast to four by Australia.
The statistic will not surprise Australia, who have voiced great displeasure at England's exaggerated use of sub fielders this Ashes series.
Ricky Ponting was fined for an angry outburst after being run out by sub fielder Gary Pratt in the fourth Test.
Pratt was on the field at Trent Bridge for the genuinely injured Simon Jones, but Australia have been unhappy that England bowlers have been replaced on the field by specialist fielders after spells.
England claim the bowlers are simply taking toilet breaks, and in any case the ploy is not against the rules of cricket.
The research, carried out by Cricinfo, shows that England are two ahead of West Indies and four ahead of India, while Australia are four dismissals behind second-last nation South Africa.
MMIX
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