Gary Kirsten today became the first batsman to score Test centuries against nine different opponents. He completed his set by pasting the hapless Bangladesh bowlers all round Buffalo Park in the first Test to be played at East London. It was a fine comeback for Kirsten, after a dip in form earlier in the home season. It was Kirsten's 15th century (a South African record), in his 84th Test. He has spread his hundreds around neatly: three against England and India, two off Australia and West Indies, and one against New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and now Bangladesh.

Kirsten leaves behind – temporarily, perhaps – two batsmen who have managed Test centuries against eight different opponents. Sachin Tendulkar has failed to reach three figures against Bangladesh (he was out for 18 in his only innings against them), while Steve Waugh hasn't played the Banglas yet. Waugh will be hoping that the selectors keep faith with him until next July, when Australia are due to take on Bangladesh in the Aussie outposts of Darwin and Cairns. Waugh has bettered Kirsten in one respect: he's scored 150 or more against all the countries that he has played.

There's a distinguished baker's dozen with hundreds against seven different sides. England haven't played Bangladesh yet, which restricts the chances of three recent stalwarts – Mike Atherton, whose 16 Test tons didn't include one against Sri Lanka, Alec Stewart, who has missed out in nine matches against India (his best is 87), and Nasser Hussain, whose highest in six Tests against Pakistan is 64.

For Australia (who, as mentioned above, haven't played Bangladesh yet), Mark Waugh and Ricky Ponting haven't yet scored a century against Zimbabwe, while Mark Taylor never had the chance.

Sanath Jayasuriya (ten Test centuries against seven different opponents, but none against West Indies or New Zealand) and Aravinda de Silva (missing South Africa and West Indies) have managed seven for Sri Lanka, while Andy Flower (none against England and New Zealand) has done likewise for Zimbabwe.

The only Indian on the seven mark is Rahul Dravid, who needs tons against Pakistan (if India ever play them again) and Bangladesh to complete his set. For Pakistan, Saeed Anwar has missed out against West Indies and Zimbabwe, while Inzamam-ul-Haq needs to do the business against South Africa and India.

The final name was actually the first to manage as many as seven: Martin Crowe of New Zealand. He had four Tests against South Africa to complete his set – but managed only a highest score of 83.

The only current players with centuries against six different opponents are Australia's Justin Langer and Marvan Atapattu of Sri Lanka.

Steven Lynch is editor of Wisden.com.

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