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[Saba Sports News] The buzz was all about Ben Stokes. He was about to play his first county championship match in two years, with Nathan Lyon in the opposition’s attack. But amidst all the hype, David Bedingham’s remarkable performances went largely unnoticed.
Bedingham had scored two centuries and a half-century in four innings for Durham, including a recent 144 against Hampshire. Yet, during the match against Lancashire in May, the focus remained on Stokes and Lyon.
Stokes managed scores of 2 and 18, and took 2/71 and 5/98, while Lyon claimed 4/59 and 2/95. Meanwhile, Bedingham quietly amassed 101 and 103, sharing a 216-run stand with Ollie Robinson. Despite his heroics, Keaton Jennings’ scores of 115 and 155 for Lancashire overshadowed Bedingham’s achievements as Lancashire won by 60 runs.
Five days later at Chester-le-Street, Bedingham scored his fourth consecutive century with 101 against Somerset. Yet again, the headlines celebrated Stokes’ bowling performance. Bedingham, despite his consistent brilliance, remained in the background.
Bedingham’s feat of scoring four consecutive centuries is a rare achievement, putting him in the company of legends like Duleepsinhji, Vijay Merchant, Denis Compton, and Sachin Tendulkar. However, he still hasn’t received the recognition he deserves.
In terms of first-class cricket, Bedingham’s century rate of 15.29% is higher than several top Test cricketers. Only Ricky Ponting, Tendulkar, and Steven Smith have higher rates. Despite this, Bedingham’s contributions often go unnoticed.
A car crash in December 2016 almost ended Bedingham’s career, but he bounced back. While he initially aimed to play for England, Bedingham has since re-committed to South African cricket and made his Test debut against India in December 2023, scoring 56. He followed this with a century against New Zealand.
Bedingham’s ability to stay focused and perform under pressure highlights his talent. As he continues to excel, it’s clear that he deserves more recognition for his achievements on the cricket field.