Landmark Azharuddin setting marks in longevity Click here for more on this story Posted: Saturday May 29, 1999 05:50 PM   India captain Mohammed Azharuddin (right) watches his teammate make the catch to dismiss. AP BIRMINGHAM, England (AP) -- Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin's longevity in the international arena during an era where excessive cricket burns players out quickly has helped him attain a landmark which will take some beating. Azharuddin, 36, became the first batsman Saturday to log 9,000 runs in one-day internationals when he his score reached eight in the World Cup's Group A match against England at Edgbaston. When Azharuddin got out for 26, he had taken his aggregate of runs to 9,018. Azharuddin's runs have come from 320 matches spread over 14 years and in 294 innings, of which he remained unbeaten 53 times, with an average of 37.14. He has hit seven centuries and 56 half-centuries with an unbeaten 153 as his highest knock. The Indian captain has left West Indian opener Desmond Haynes' total of 8,648 runs far behind, but Haynes was more consistent. Haynes' runs came from 238 matches and 237 innings. He remained not out 28 times to average 42.37 runs. Haynes, with 17 centuries, scored 10 more than Azharuddin. The West Indies run-scoring machine also hit 57 half-centuries and his highest score was 152 not out. Azharuddin owes his record a great deal to the increased number of one-day matches being played these days as the limited-over game has caught the public's fancy. With 320 matches against his name, Azharuddin has played the maximum number of one-dayers in the game's history. He is the only one to have crossed the 300-mark in appearances. But Arjuna Ranatunga, who is the only current cricketer to have played every World Cup since 1983, beats Azharuddin for the longest playing span among present players. Ranatunga, however, is way behind Azharuddin in number of one-day appearances with Sri Lanka playing fewer internationals than India, whose schedule is packed with back-to-back one-dayers. Among those playing in this World Cup, Pakistan's veteran batsman Salim Malik has played 281 internationals, including two in this tournament, followed by Ranatunga on 269. Australian captain Steve Waugh will make his 263rd one-day international appearance in the select group when he steps out to lead his country against West Indies Sunday.   Related information Stories Zimbabwe upsets South Africa by 48 runs Play halted; India posts 232 against England Australia takes on Windies, mathematics Multimedia Click here for the latest audio and video Search our site Watch CNN/SI 24 hours a day Sports Illustrated and CNN have combined to form a 24 hour sports news and information channel. To receive CNN/SI at your home call 1-888-53-CNNSI. Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. All Rights Reserved. Terms under which this service is provided to you. Read our privacy guidelines.