What is the top 10 test cricket individual innings history of cricket?

 There have been many exceptional performances in the history of cricket. But I'd like to include such performances that either won the team a game or saved a game from improbable situations.

Some of the knocks that I've included consists of partnership knocks as it would become unfair to degrade one's inning by praising the other.

Note : The order of the list is according to the timeline and not as per the rankings.

1. Arthur Morris (182) and Sir Donald Bradman (173*) at Headingley vs England (1948)

It was the prestigious Ashes series in England. Australia were chasing a target of 404 in 1948. In that era, it was almost impossible to even imagine of chasing such a target. But the exceptional batting performances from Arthur Morris (182) and Sir Donald Bradman (173*) meant that Australia chased a target of 404. This epic run chase remained the highest for 28 years.

2. Hanif Mohammed (337) at Bridgetown vs West Indies (1957)

WI had scored a mammoth 579 runs in the first innings. In reply to this, Pakistan were reduced to just 106 in their first innings. It seemed that WI's win was the only probable result. But the legendary Hanif Mohammed played a marathon inning of 337 which lasted for over 900 minutes. Till date no batsman has batted for more period in a test inning than this man. This helped Pakistan to achieve an improbable draw.

3. Sunil Gavaskar (102) and Gundappa Vishwanath (112) at Port of Spain vs West Indies (1976)

India were chasing a target of 403 against world champions WI in their own backyard. The bowling lineup had the deadly Michael Holding in its attack. But Sunil Gavaskar’s (102) and Gundappa Vishwanath's (112) helped India chase a mammoth 403. Mohinder Amarnath also played his part with a brilliant 85. It remained as the highest successful 4th innings score in tests till 2003.

4. Sir Ian Botham (149*) at Headingley vs Australia (1981)

Australia had posted 401 in their first innings. England in reply were reduced to just 174 and were asked to follow on and were soon reduced to 41/4. No team had went on to win a test match after being asked to follow-on till then. And this man just changed the complexion of the game with his 149*(148). England posted 356 and gave a target of 130 to chase. Australia got all-out for 111 and lost the match. England became the first ever team to win a test match after being asked to follow-on.

5. Sir Gordon Greenidge (214*) at Lord's vs England (1984)

It was one of the most brutal inning one could ever see in test cricket. The England attack had the likes of Bob Willis, Sir Ian Botham, D Pringle, N Foster and G Miller. Sir Gordon Greenidge hit 214*(242) including 29 fours and 2 sixes that helped WI chase a mammoth target of 342. He striked at 88.42 in an era where bowlers dominated the game.

6. Brian Lara (153*) at Bridgetown vs Australia (1999)

A classic example of one-man show. WI were chasing a target of 308 against a legendary bowling attack of McGrath-Gillespie-Warne. Brian Lara's 153* helped WI chase this target with just 1 wicket left. It was a classical show of good play of pace & spin and handling the pressure.

7. Vvs Laxman(281) and Rahul Dravid(180) at Eden Gardens vs Australia (2001)

Australia were on a winning streak of 16-consecutive tests. They had posted 445 in their first inning and dismissed India for just 171. After being asked to follow-on, VVS Laxman's (281) and Rahul Dravid’s (180) just changed the complexion of the game. They batted an entire day (day4) against the likes of McGrath-Gillespie-Warne. India went on to post 657 and eventually won the match by 171 runs.

8. Ramnaresh Sarwan(105) and Shivnarine Chanderpaul (104) at Antigua vs Australia (2003)

WI were chasing a target of 418 runs, which was never achieved before. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's (104) and Ramnaresh Sarwan's (105) against the likes of Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Stuart Macgill helped WI chase the highest ever test total at that time. It's a record till date.

9. Ab De Villiers (106*) and Graeme Smith (108) vs Australia at Perth (2008)

SA were chasing a target of 414 runs. Graeme Smith's (108) and Ab De Villiers'(106*) against the likes of Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Peter Siddle, Jason krejza helped SA chase a target of mammoth 414 runs. JP Duminy and Jacques Kallis too played their part with their fifties.

10. Brendon Mccullum (302) at Wellington vs India (2014)

India had posted 438 runs in their first inning. NZ were reduced to just 192 and were asked to follow-on. They were further reduced to 94/5 when only one result seemed to be possible. But Brendon Mccullum played the inning of his life and saved the match for NZ. His 302(559) helped NZ achieve an improbable draw against India. BJ Watling and James Neesham too played their part by scoring centuries for themselves.

These are my choices of some of the best knocks in test cricket. There are many such knocks which have been great. Do mention such knocks if you know in the comments section.

Image credits - Google.

Which is the most underrated individual score in test cricket?

 Absolute gem of an innings that got overshadowed when Dravid, Sachin and Ganguly hit big centuries in the same innings.

In comparison to

• Dravid’s classic drives
• Sachin’s magnificent pull shots
• Ganguly’s godly square cuts

His nervous, tentative nudges were always going to be underrated, Can you guess?

They say in England, its not the pitch but the overhead conditions that play crucial role in the course of a test match. Now, look at below picture,

It was very similar view that everyone had on the morning of first day of third test match between India and England at Leeds in 2002. Add to that, Leeds is fortress of England known for lateral movement, fast pace and steamy bounce.That’s why when Dada won the toss and decided to bat first, entire English squad went into a deep shock.

Likes of Hoggard, Caddick, Flintoff could not have asked for better mouth watering feast.

This player was fighting for existence in the team of Rockstars and Gods, was sent to open the innings in a situation where every ball was spitting poison, his name is Sanjay Bangar.

He lost his partner Sehwag early. Watching that match live, I still remember he did not look pretty in his defense but more importantly he was effective. It was Test cricket at its best when you felt that next ball the wicket will fall and thus went 445 balls i.e. 74.1 overs. Lunch happened, tea was also taken but this man along with Dravid stood their ground like a wall which frustrated the English Men. Bangar was tested with bouncers, he took several hits but rarely misjudged his footing the next ball, he was forward when the delivery was full length. Crucially it was his gritty fight in the first session that was praise-worthy.

Eventually he got out after facing 236 deliveries and scoring 68 valuable runs that would set the foundation for now famous Trimurti show. Sachin blasted , Ganguly Roared and Dravid sailed. India declared on 628, eventually beating England by in Innings. It was truly an historic win. The four match series was drawn and Indians would leave the country with their heads high.

Rahul Dravid was given Player of the match award. Sanjay Bangar received a lot of praise for his innings perhaps not enough that he deserved.

Which is the most underrated individual score in test cricket?

 22 yards of deathbed.

The pitch is a minefield. The ball is moving. The ball is bouncing. There is a swing. There is speed.

This is West Indies. This is the den of fast bowlers.

The pace arsenal of Collins, Taylor, Bravo, and Collymore is breathing fire.

The openers survive only 23 balls. The team is two wickets down. The score reads 3 for 2.

And he walks to the crease.

He is straightway in the firing line.

A short ball shoots off the surface. He tries to fend it and fortunately for him the ball lands just short of the leg slip.

Another full delivery misses the outside edge of his bat by a centimeter.

A little later, the ball finds the edge but doesn’t carry to the slip fielder.

Another bouncer hurries on him. The ball kisses his bat and balloons in the air. The gully fielder jumps and gets a fingertip to it. But only a fingertip and nothing more.

Phew! He gets worked out ruthlessly. He gets grinded, beaten and bruised. They tempt him, they torment him, they test him.

But he refuses to give in. Wickets fall from the other end. No one except him is able to stand on this wicket. Everyone around him falls. Except him.

He withstands the storm. He overcomes the turmoil. He digs deep and waits for the opponents to commit the error. He plays the dirty way. The hard way. He ducks, leaves, defends and continues to do it again and again.

He waits and continues to wait. Eventually, his patience pays off.

He gets a full delivery and he drives it handsomely for a four with a straight drive. His first boundary. Off the 43rd ball he faces.

Then he gets a lifeless short delivery. He rocks back and hammers it with an authoritative pull.

There is no grace. There is no glamour. This is infact, the hard, the ugly way. But it works.

The runs come. Slowly. But importantly they come.

He works hard for them. He waits and waits for eternity. He shows immense grit to stand on that wicket. He reflects unparallel mental strength to overcome the conditions. He showcases impeccable patience to outshine the rigorous bowling.

Finally, after holding the fort for a whopping 340 minutes and after surviving 215 balls, he edges a fine delivery by Collymore and Ramdin collects it behind the stumps.

But by this time he has done the job for his team. Arriving at 2 down for 3 runs, on a minefield and no support from the other end, he takes the team close to 200.

A total that allows his team to eventually win the match by 49 runs and the series as well.

At Sabina Park, Jamaica in 2006, he not only scores81 runs but also shows the world the value of having a strong foundation, a never-die attitude, and a steel-like determination.

A masterclass of 81 runs! An underrated gem in Tests!

What are some mind-blowing facts about Test cricket?

 

• Two WI bowlers once bowled 130 of the 150 overs in a match.

West Indies vs Australia - 1st Test

Toss - West Indies, who chose to bat.

Venue - Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane.

Date - Nov 9–13, 1951.

Result: Australia won by 3 wickets.

West Indies bowlers Alf Valentine and Sony Ramadin together bowled 129.7 of the total 150.4 overs bowled by their team in the Brisbane Test against Australia in 1951. The pair ended up bowling nearly 80 of 85 overs in the second innings, which ended on November 13, 1951.

Source: 1st Test: Australia v West Indies at Brisbane, Nov 9-13, 1951 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo

• Longest duck in Test History took 77 balls, 101 minutes.

New Zealand tail-ender Geoff Allott was dismissed without scoring a run after facing 77 balls against South Africa in 1999, making the record for the longest duck in Test cricket history. The 101-minute innings helped New Zealand draw the match.

• Slowest century in Tests.

Mudassar Nazar of Pakistan still holds the record of slowest century in Test cricket. In 1977-78, he completed his century in record 557 minutes at Lahore against England facing 419 balls.

• Most ducks in Test cricket.

Guess, who is Jayasuriya’s counterpart in Test cricket? Yes, the man with more than 500 Test wickets under his belt; former West Indian pacer Courtney Walsh was bowled 43 times on duck in 185 Test innings.