Special Test hundreds: a look across and deep
A detailed analysis of various quantifiable aspects of the best Test centuries scored
I had mentioned in response to one of the comments on the macro-analysis article on Test hundreds that in my follow-up article I would look at special hundreds, selected based on specific selection criteria. I had also made it clear that this would not be my own personal selections, as I normally do but one based on selection criteria in my computer program, with external additions in very very special cases only. Anyone finding fault with the three special additions is probably not a true follower of the game.
To answer the sceptics, I have also shown the actual program statement doing the filtering. Though it is a 'C' program statement, it will be crystal clear to anyone reading this article. So kindly do not come out with statements that this article has been written to specifically include or exclude one specific hundred.
If a nice new selection criterion is suggested I will have no problem doing that and adding the tables at the end. I have also toughened the selection criteria to make sure that there are approximately between 10 and 25 entries in the tables. This has been done to ensure that all the table entries are shown in this article itself. Hence everything is in the open in this article.
My own selections from out of the table entries are spread right through the article. Readers can come with their own selections.
Preliminary program work
score = matchdata[mat]->score[inns]; bqi = matchdata[mat]->weighted_ctd_bow_avge[inns]; mat_rpw = matchdata[mat]->rpw; runs = matchdata[mat]->pldata[inns][pos].batruns; balls = matchdata[mat]->pldata[inns][pos].batballs; score1 = matchdata[mat]->score[0]; score2 = matchdata[mat]->score[1]; score3 = matchdata[mat]->score[2]; score4 = matchdata[mat]->score[3]; if (follow-on) deficit = score1-score2; else deficit = score2-score1; if (follow-on) target = score2+score3-score1+1; else target = score1+score3-score2+1;
Normally I write special programs for each article when the number of tables is quite high and there are sorting and formatting requirements. My program reads the Match database record serially and sets the variables for use, as done above. Then a series of functions follow, doing the selections and form the tables. Afterwards the tables are sorted and printed. These are then incorporated, with appropriate narratives, into the Html file.
Now for the tables. I am not going to come out with the most obvious of tables, based on the score. It is shown anywhere and everywhere. My first table is one where the mark was set on the first day of Test cricket and that mark has yet to be breached. It has stood the test of about 10000+ days of Test cricket. This table relates to the % of batsman innings share in the completed innings. I have softened the criteria to losing 9 wickets or more since the last batsman is already in.
1. Hundreds which form a high proportion of completed innings
if (runs>=100 && (runs/score)>=0.6 && wkts>=9)Ordered by innings %
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Score BP Runs %TS
0001 1877 Aus Eng Bannerman C 245/10 1 165* 67.3% 1439 1999 Aus Eng Slater M.J 184/10 1 123 66.8% 1481 2000 Ind Aus Laxman V.V.S 261/10 1 167 64.0% 0779 1976 Win Eng Greenidge C.G 211/10 1 134 63.5% 0542 1963 Nzl Eng Reid J.R 159/10 4 100 62.9% 0652 1969 Win Nzl Nurse S.M 417/10 3 258 61.9% 0846 1979 Aus Eng Yallop G.N 198/10 4 121 61.1% 1884 2008 Ind Slk Sehwag V 329/10 1 201* 61.1% 1171 1991 Eng Win Gooch G.A 252/10 1 154* 61.1% 0732 1974 Eng Win Amiss D.L 432/ 9 1 262* 60.6%
Bannerman stands supreme at 67.3% of the completed innings. To boot, he opened the innings and remained unbeaten, as did quite a few others in the table. If Slater had scored a single more, he would have overtaken Bannerman. Laxman's brave away innings launched a remarkable career. Amiss has come in because of my decision to include 9-wkt situations. This innings was played away, in West Indies, against not a great West Indian attack, but 230 in arrears.
2. Hundreds which have been scored a better than run-a-ball
if (runs>=150 && runs<=balls)Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman BP Runs Balls SR
1870 2008 Ind Saf Sehwag V 1 319 304 104.9 1937 2009 Ind Slk Sehwag V 1 293 254 115.4 1781 2006 Ind Pak Sehwag V 1 254 247 102.8 1594 2002 Nzl Eng Astle N.J 5 222 168 132.1 0765 1975 Win Aus Fredericks R.C 1 169 145 116.6 1742 2005 Aus Nzl Gilchrist A.C 7 162 146 111.0 1698 2004 Slk Zim Jayasuriya S.T 1 157 147 106.8 1782 2006 Pak Ind Shahid Afridi 6 156 128 121.9 1550 2001 Aus Eng Gilchrist A.C 7 152 143 106.3 1753 2005 Eng Bng Trescothick M.E 1 151 148 102.0 1561 2001 Slk Bng Jayawardene D.P.M.D 4 150 115 130.4 And a special entry 1045 1986 Win Eng Richards I.V.A 3 110 58 189.7
Now for quick hundreds. I could not just select all hundreds scored at better than run-a-ball. There were too many such innings, 49 to be precise. So I selected only innings of 150 or more runs. What does one say of Sehwag? Three of his 250+ innings have been scored at better than run-a-ball and are the first three entries. He certainly defies description. He has been the single most devastating match-winner during the past decade. Astle's break-neck 222 was essayed, with almost nothing at stake, but it worried the England team for a while. Then comes Fredericks' famous innings. Gilchrist is the only other batsman to have multiple entries. I have added Richards' hundred since it was scored at today's 20-20 scoring rate at a time when 200-ball centuries were considered quick.
3. Hundreds in matches with low match RpW
if (mat_rpw<20.0 && runs>7.5*mat_rpw)Ordered by ratio of Runs and RpW
MtId Year For Batsman BP Runs MRpW Ratio
0001 1877 Aus Eng Bannerman C 1 165* 15.2 10.9 0201 1931 Aus Win Ponsford W.H 1 183 17.7 10.4 0032 1889 Eng Saf Abel R 1 120 12.3 9.7 0290 1947 Aus Ind Bradman D.G 3 185 19.2 9.6 1617 2002 Aus Pak Hayden M.L 1 119 13.6 8.7 0443 1957 Eng Win Graveney T.W 3 164 18.9 8.7 0023 1886 Eng Aus Shrewsbury A 3 164 19.4 8.5 0205 1931 Aus Win Bradman D.G 3 152 18.4 8.3 0076 1902 Aus Saf Armstrong W.W 1 159* 19.3 8.3 0007 1882 Aus Eng McDonnell P.S 5 147 18.0 8.2 0045 1895 Aus Eng Graham H 5 105 12.8 8.2 0049 1896 Eng Saf Hill A.J.L 1 124 15.5 8.0 0736 1974 Aus Nzl Redpath I.R 1 159* 19.9 8.0 1171 1991 Eng Win Gooch G.A 1 154* 19.1 8.0 0415 1955 Pak Nzl Hanif Mohammad 1 103 12.8 8.0 2016 2011 Aus Saf Clarke M.J 5 151 18.9 8.0 0058 1899 Eng Saf Warner P.F 1 132* 17.4 7.6 0037 1892 Eng Saf Wood H 8 134* 17.7 7.6
The above is a table of invaluable hundreds, made in matches where runs were at a premium. This is determined by using the match RpW figure. A match RpW value of of below 20 indicates a tough match for batsmen. The ordering is by the ratio of the runs scored and RpW figure. Hence this indicates a measure of out-performance compared to the other batsmen. I have used the overall match figure. Bannerman's century is on top with a whopping ratio of 10.9. Ponsford is next with 10.4. Most of these performances have been way back.
The two exceptions are Hayden's 119 in a match at Sharjah where Pakistan, in two innings, totaled 112 runs. The result could well have been "Hayden defeated Pakistan by an innings and 7 runs". The other is the recent Michael Clarke classic, a futile innings, but an outstanding one, without doubt. I am quite happy that an innings from what could have been one of the greatest of Test series, and could be called "The unfinished symphony", has found place in this elite list.
Out of 18 entries, Australia have accounted 10 for and England, 7, with the lone odd entry from Pakistan. My take is that this is possibly the result of the number of Ashes series, the quality of bowling attacks and the uncovered pitches. As many as nine of these efforts have been effected before WW1.
4. Hundreds by batsmen carrying their bat through completed innings
if (runs>=150 && batpos<3 && allout && batsman_notout)Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Score BP Runs
0693 1972 Nzl Win Turner G.M 386/10 1 223* 1470 1999 Slk Zim Atapattu M.S 428/10 1 216* 0264 1938 Aus Eng Brown W.A 422/10 1 206* 0326 1950 Eng Win Hutton L 344/10 1 202* 1884 2008 Ind Slk Sehwag V 329/10 1 201* 0164 1926 Aus Eng Bardsley W 383/10 1 193* 0441 1957 Win Eng Worrell F.M.M 372/10 1 191* 1444 1999 Pak Ind Saeed Anwar 316/10 1 188* 1397 1998 Aus Saf Taylor M.A 350/10 1 169* 1939 2009 Win Aus Gayle C.H 317/10 1 165* 2006 2011 Zim Pak Mawoyo T.M.K 412/10 1 163* 0076 1902 Aus Saf Armstrong W.W 309/10 1 159* 0736 1974 Aus Nzl Redpath I.R 346/10 1 159* 1408 1998 Zim Pak Flower G.W 321/10 1 156* 0330 1951 Eng Aus Hutton L 272/10 1 156* 1171 1991 Eng Win Gooch G.A 252/10 1 154* 0947 1983 Pak Ind Mudassar Nazar 323/10 1 152*
Now for those warriors who stood at one end, scored millions (ok, hundreds) of runs and saw the 10 other batsmen lose their wickets. I necessarily have to limit this table since there are many hundreds by batsmen carrying their bat through. Hence I have limited the innings to 150+ scores. There are many stand-out innings in this collection. If I have to pick three out of this wonderful collection, I would nominate Saeed Anwar's 188* (a truly great match-winning innings, away), Sehwag's 201* (similar reason as Anwar's) and the best of all, Gooch's 154* (against Ambrose/Patterson/Marshall/Walsh and match-winning, to boot: only Lara and Laxman have played better innings).
5. Hundreds scored against top bowling attacks
if (runs>=100 && bqi<23.00)Ordered by quality of bowling (increasing value of BQI)
MtId Year For Vs Batsman BP Runs BQI
0045 1895 Aus Eng Graham H 5 105 21.25 0852 1979 Ind Eng Viswanath G.R 4 113 21.39 0852 1979 Ind Eng Vengsarkar D.B 3 103 21.39 0345 1952 Win Aus Worrell F.M.M 3 108 21.80 0347 1952 Win Aus Stollmeyer J.B 1 104 22.30 0042 1894 Aus Eng Gregory S.E 6 201 22.40 0042 1894 Aus Eng Giffen G 3 161 22.40 1523 2000 Win Aus Lara B.C 4 182 22.52 0901 1981 Eng Win Willey P 7 102* 22.55 0466 1959 Aus Eng McDonald C.C 1 170 22.56 0036 1892 Aus Eng Lyons J.J 3 134 22.76 0908 1981 Aus Eng Border A.R 5 106* 22.83 0330 1951 Eng Aus Hutton L 1 156* 22.89 0044 1895 Aus Eng Iredale F.A 4 140 22.91 0444 1957 Aus Saf Benaud R 7 122 22.94
These hundreds are the ones scored against the very best bowling attacks. Look at the quality of English attack off which Viswanath and Vengsarkar scored their hundreds. Both were scored away in England. Similarly the two hundreds scored by Worrell and Stollmeyer, away, against the very strong Australian attack in 1952. Only one innings has come in from the current millennium, Lara's 182 against the Australian attack.
Hutton's 156*, which featured in the previous table also, leads my selection(against a big total and a formidable attack), followed by Lara's 182 (in only 235 balls, away, no other West Indian even reaching 50) and Willey's 102* (on the first day, away and against Roberts/Holding/Croft/Garner and batting at no.7).
Now for a selection of hundreds scored in different innings. I have not bothered with the first and second innings. The first innings is quite difficult to categorize. Also. facing a huge total in the second innings is not necessarily a mountain to climb since the pitch has been shown to be a reasonably batting-friendly one, scoreboard pressure notwithstanding. To select second innings hundreds, it would require a combination selection criteria, such as "Facing total > 400 && tough pitch/top bowling attack et al". I am not doing multiple criteria in this article.
6. Hundreds scored in third innings with team in huge arrears
if (runs>=160 && thirdinns && deficit>=250)Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Scores 3rdInns BP Runs Res
0446 1958 Pak Win Hanif Mohammad (579-106) 657/10 1 337 Draw 1162 1991 Nzl Slk Crowe M.D (174-497) 671/10 4 299 Draw 0439 1957 Eng Win May P.B.H (186-474) 583/10 4 285* Draw 1535 2001 Ind Aus Laxman V.V.S (445-171) 657/10 3 281 Win 1269 1994 Pak Aus Saleem Malik (521-260) 537/10 4 237 Draw 2009 2011 Slk Pak Sangakkara K.C (197-511) 483/ 6 3 211 Draw 1562 2001 Zim Saf Flower A (600-286) 391/10 5 199* Lost 1511 2000 Zim Nzl Whittall G.J (465-166) 370/10 6 188* Lost 1162 1991 Nzl Slk Jones A.H (174-497) 671/10 3 186 Draw 0078 1903 Aus Eng Trumper V.T (285-577) 485/10 5 185* Lost 0352 1952 Ind Eng Mankad M.H (235-537) 378/10 1 184 Lost 0299 1948 Eng Aus Compton D.C.S (165-509) 441/10 4 184 Lost 0695 1972 Win Nzl Davis C.A (133-422) 564/10 5 183 Draw 1535 2001 Ind Aus Dravid R (445-171) 657/10 6 180 Win 0507 1961 Eng Aus Dexter E.R (195-516) 401/ 9 3 180 Draw 0723 1973 Eng Nzl Fletcher K.W.R (253-551) 463/ 9 4 178 Draw 0496 1960 Eng Saf Pullar G (155-419) 479/10 1 175 Draw 0731 1974 Eng Win Amiss D.L (131-392) 392/10 1 174 Lost 1481 2000 Ind Aus Laxman V.V.S (150-552) 261/ 5 1 167 Lost 0801 1977 Pak Win Majid Khan (194-448) 540/10 1 167 Draw 1420 1998 Eng Saf Stewart A.J (552-183) 369/10 4 164 Draw 0285 1947 Eng Saf Compton D.C.S (533-208) 551/10 4 163 Draw And a special personal entry, one of the all-time great innings 0905 1981 Eng Aus Botham I.T (401-174) 359/10 149 Win. This time another wonderful innings as suggested by Alex 1716 2004 Slk Pak Jayasuriya (243-264) 438/10 1 253 Win.
However the fun starts in the third innings. The batsmen may or may not be facing huge deficits and hundreds scored in these deficit situations are valuable. If a team has a huge deficit, the first target is to clear the deficit and then build on setting a reasonable target. These are hundreds scored when the deficit is greater than 250, irrespective of follow-on or non-follow-on situations. The bar had to move up to 160 since otherwise there would have been quite a few entries.
Spare a thought for the diminutive Hanif Mohammed, who, after Pakistan followed on over 400 runs behind, batted for over 16 hours to save the Test. The pleasing fact is that most of these back-to-the-wall efforts have been fruitful in that the matches have been saved and in two cases, needless to say which Test, the Laxman-Dravid epic, won. And the special personal entry, Botham's unbelievable 149 also set up the match win.
Laxman's 281 (Like Lars's, one sentence will suffice: in my opinion amongst the three best Test innings ever played) stands head and shoulders above all, followed by Botham's 149 (only loses sheen when compared to Laxman) and Hanif's 337 (arguably the best match-saving innings ever.
Now the the fourth innings which are the purest ones. the target being known right from the beginning. It could be 1 or 836 (both are actual targets in Test matches). This number is clearly available to both teams. While time/overs/weather are factors, this target never changes. There is no D/L creeping in Tests somewhere there, moving the goal-posts. The innings played which we never forget are also outstanding fighting ones. Great defensive innings, often as valuable as attacking match-winning innings are played in the fourth innings.
7. Winning hundreds scored in fourth innings with team chasing huge targets
if (runs>=100 && fourthinns && matchwon && (wkts>=6 || target>=350))Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Scores 4thInns BP Runs Res
0302 1948 Aus Eng Morris A.R (496-458-365) 404/3 1 182 Win 0302 1948 Aus Eng Bradman D.G (496-458-365) 404/3 3 173* Win 1453 1999 Win Aus Lara B.C (490-329-146) 311/9 5 153* Win 1469 1999 Aus Pak Gilchrist A.C (222-246-392) 369/6 7 149* Win 1658 2003 Pak Bng Inzamam-ul-Haq (281-175-154) 262/9 4 138* Win 0178 1929 Eng Aus Sutcliffe H (397-417-351) 332/7 1 135 Win 1469 1999 Aus Pak Langer J.L (222-246-392) 369/6 3 127 Win 0822 1978 Aus Win Wood G.M (205-286-439) 362/7 1 126 Win 0822 1978 Aus Win Serjeant C.S (205-286-439) 362/7 5 124 Win 1812 2006 Slk Saf Jayawardene D.P.M.D (361-321-311) 352/9 4 123 Win 1797 2006 Aus Bng Ponting R.T (427-269-148) 310/7 3 118* Win 1355 1997 Eng Nzl Atherton M.A (346-228-186) 307/6 1 118 Win 1360 1997 Aus Saf Waugh M.E (209-108-168) 271/8 4 116 Win 0775 1976 Ind Win Viswanath G.R (359-228-271) 406/4 4 112 Win 1012 1985 Nzl Pak Coney J.V (274-220-223) 278/8 6 111* Win 1899 2008 Saf Aus Smith G.C (375-281-319) 414/4 1 108 Win 1899 2008 Saf Aus de Villiers A.B (375-281-319) 414/4 5 106* Win 1645 2003 Win Aus Sarwan R.R (240-240-417) 418/7 5 105 Win 0811 1977 Aus Ind Mann A.L (402-394-330) 342/8 3 105 Win 1704 2004 Eng Nzl Thorpe G.P (384-319-218) 284/6 5 104* Win 0074 1902 Eng Aus Jessop G.L (324-183-121) 263/9 7 104 Win 1645 2003 Win Aus Chanderpaul S (240-240-417) 418/7 6 104 Win 1898 2008 Ind Eng Tendulkar S.R (316-241-311) 387/4 4 103* Win 0345 1952 Aus Win Hassett A.L (272-216-203) 260/9 3 102 Win 0775 1976 Ind Win Gavaskar S.M (359-228-271) 406/4 1 102 Win 1795 2006 Aus Saf Martyn D.R (303-270-258) 294/8 4 101 Win 1593 2002 Aus Saf Ponting R.T (239-382-473) 334/6 3 100* Win And a few special entries, two of which have been suggested by readers 0990 1984 Win Eng Greenidge C.G (286-245-300) 344/1 1 214* Win 0320 1950 Aus Saf Harvey R.N (311-75-99) 336/5 5 151* Win 1883 2008 Saf Eng Smith G.C (231-314-363) 283/5 1 154* Win
These are defining match-winning played in the fourth innings. The process for selecting the hundreds is quite tricky. Hayden's 101* out of 171 for 1 hardly qualifies, but Greenidge's 214 out of 344 for 1 cannot be ignored. So I have a complex set of selection criteria. The win is quite tough if more than 5 wickets are lost. Hence I have selected all such hundreds. In addition, all hundreds scored in chases of 350 and above are selected.
My own selection amongst these would be Lara's 153* (A legend-one sentence will suffice: in my opinion amongst the three best Test innings ever played), Mark Waugh's 116 (series-winning innings, away and against a top attack) and Gilchrist's 149 (in only his second Test, a forerunner of things to come in many a Test). Bradman and Morris scored two huge centuries. Butcher's was in a dead rubber. Only the ease of the West Indian win keeps the special entry, Greenidge's 214, out.
8. Fighting losing hundreds scored in fourth innings with team chasing substantial targets
if (fourthinns && matchlost && (runs>=125 || (runs>=100 && 2*runs>=score))Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Scores 4thInns BP Runs Res
1594 2002 Nzl Eng Astle N.J (228-147-468) 451/10 5 222 Lost 1847 2007 Slk Aus Sangakkara K.C (542-246-210) 410/10 3 192 Lost 0722 1973 Nzl Eng Congdon B.E (250- 97-325) 440/10 3 176 Lost 0800 1977 Eng Aus Randall D.W (138- 95-419) 417/10 3 174 Lost 1932 2009 Nzl Slk Vettori D.L (416-234-311) 397/10 8 140 Lost 0646 1969 Win Aus Nurse S.M (619-279-394) 352/10 7 137 Lost 1442 1999 Ind Pak Tendulkar S.R (238-254-286) 258/10 4 136 Lost 1925 2009 Aus Eng Clarke M.J (425-215-311) 406/10 5 136 Lost 0803 1977 Pak Win Asif Iqbal (280-198-359) 301/10 6 135 Lost 1223 1993 Eng Aus Gooch G.A (289-210-432) 332/10 1 133 Lost 0194 1930 Aus Eng Bradman D.G (270-144-302) 335/10 3 131 Lost 1688 2004 Slk Aus Jayasuriya S.T (120-211-442) 324/10 1 131 Lost 0159 1925 Eng Aus Sutcliffe H (600-479-250) 290/10 1 127 Lost 1843 2007 Pak Saf Younis Khan (450-291-264) 263/10 3 126 Lost 1306 1995 Pak Slk Moin Khan (232-214-338) 212/10 7 117* Lost 0900 1981 Eng Win Gooch G.A (265-122-379) 224/10 1 116 Lost 1205 1992 Win Aus Simmons P.V (395-233-196) 219/10 1 110 Lost
The selection criteria in lost matches has to be different. I have selected innings where the score is greater than 125 or comprises of more than half the team score. Note the last three innings, all very commendable efforts.
I would plump for Tendulkar's fighting and valiant 136, on a day when he was ill. The failure of the Indian late-order to score 12 runs should not take anything away from his master class. Randall's 174 which almost won the Centenary Test for England and Astle's 222 follow next.
9. Match-saving hundreds scored in fourth innings with team chasing huge targets
if (fourthinns && matchdrawn && (runs>149 || (runs>=100 && wkts>=7))Ordered by runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman Scores 4thInns BP Runs Res
0193 1930 Win Eng Headley G.A (849-286-272) 408/5 3 223 Draw 0854 1979 Ind Eng Gavaskar S.M (305-202-334) 429/8 1 221 Draw 0271 1939 Eng Saf Edrich W.J (530-316-481) 654/5 3 219 Draw 0289 1947 Saf Eng Mitchell B (427-302-325) 423/7 1 189* Draw 0248 1935 Aus Saf McCabe S.J (157-250-491) 274/2 3 189* Draw 1315 1995 Eng Saf Atherton M.A (332-200-346) 351/5 1 185* Draw 1760 2005 Aus Eng Ponting R.T (444-302-280) 371/9 3 156 Draw 1367 1997 Pak Slk Saleem Malik (331-292-386) 285/5 4 155 Draw 0824 1978 Win Aus Kallicharran A.I (343-280-305) 258/9 5 126 Draw 1025 1985 Slk Ind Mendis L.R.D (249-198-325) 307/7 5 124 Draw 1350 1997 Saf Ind Cullinan D.J (410-321-266) 228/8 4 122* Draw 0311 1949 Ind Win Hazare V.S (286-193-267) 355/8 5 122 Draw 1261 1994 Eng Nzl Stewart A.J (476-281-211) 254/8 1 119 Draw 1397 1998 Aus Saf Waugh M.E (517-350-193) 227/7 4 115* Draw 1005 1984 Aus Win Hilditch A.M.J (479-296-186) 198/8 1 113 Draw 1281 1995 Aus Eng Taylor M.A (309-116-255) 344/7 1 113 Draw 0281 1947 Eng Aus Washbrook C (365-351-536) 310/7 1 112 Draw 0373 1953 Eng Aus Watson W. (346-372-368) 282/7 5 109 Draw 0796 1977 Nzl Aus Congdon B.E (552-357-154) 293/8 3 107* Draw 1918 2009 Nzl Ind Taylor R.L (379-197-434) 281/8 4 107 Draw 0654 1969 Eng Win Boycott G (380-344-295) 295/7 1 106 Draw 1025 1985 Slk Ind Dias R.L (249-198-325) 307/7 4 106 Draw 1908 2009 Win Eng Sarwan R.R (566-285-221) 370/9 3 106 Draw 1672 2003 Eng Slk Vaughan M.P (382-294-279) 285/7 1 105 Draw 1281 1995 Aus Eng Slater M.J (309-116-255) 344/7 1 103 Draw 1096 1988 Pak Win Javed Miandad (174-194-391) 341/9 4 102 Draw 1232 1993 Saf Slk Rhodes J.N (331-267-300) 251/7 6 101* Draw 1392 1997 Saf Aus Kallis J.H (309-186-257) 273/7 3 101 Draw And a special reader entry: a 17-year old, playing away, saving a match for India, 1149 1990 Ind Eng (519-432-320) Tendulkar 343/6 119* 6 Draw
Drawn matches present their own characteristics. Scoring 100 out of 200 for 2 is no great effort. Since the match has been saved, the number of wickets lost is significant. I have selected innings in which 7 or more wickets are lost. These are the difficult matches. In addition, to recognize individual efforts, I have also selected hundreds which are 150 and above.
For me, Gavaskar's 221 stands tall, having taken India agonizingly close to a wonderful away victory. Atherton's 10-hour 492-ball epic of 185* and McCabe's 189* (if for nothing else, to do justice to one who was forgotten amongst the Bradman avalanche of runs) complete my trio of hundreds.
10. Hundreds scored which are the only ones in the match by either teams
if (runs>=200 && match100s==1)Ordered by Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman BP Runs
0226 1933 Eng Nzl Hammond W.R 3 336* 1977 2010 Win Slk Gayle C.H 1 333 0215 1932 Aus Saf Bradman D.G 3 299* 1697 2004 Ind Pak Dravid R 3 270 1725 2004 Ind Bng Tendulkar S.R 4 248* 0631 1968 Nzl Ind Dowling G.T 1 239 0972 1983 Ind Win Gavaskar S.M 4 236* 0832 1978 Pak Ind Zaheer Abbas 4 235* 1710 2004 Slk Saf Sangakkara K.C 3 232 0256 1936 Eng Aus Hammond W.R 3 231* 1592 2002 Slk Pak Sangakkara K.C 3 230 0212 1931 Aus Saf Bradman D.G 3 226 1169 1991 Win Aus Greenidge C.G 1 226 1748 2005 Nzl Slk Vincent L 4 224 0417 1955 Ind Nzl Mankad M.H 1 223 1394 1998 Slk Zim Atapattu M.S 1 223 0473 1959 Win Pak Kanhai R.B 3 217 1470 1999 Slk Zim Atapattu M.S 1 216* 1723 2004 Aus Nzl Langer J.L 1 215 1478 1999 Nzl Win Sinclair M.S 3 214 1805 2006 Ind Win Jaffer W 1 212 1104 1988 Pak Aus Javed Miandad 4 211 0276 1946 Eng Ind Hardstaff jnr J 5 205* 1191 1992 Pak Eng Aamer Sohail 1 205 0365 1953 Aus Saf Harvey R.N 3 205 0893 1981 Aus Ind Chappell G.S 3 204 1379 1997 Zim Nzl Whittall G.J 4 203* 1151 1990 Pak Nzl Shoaib Mohammad 1 203* 1717 2004 Nzl Bng Fleming S.P 3 202 1884 2008 Ind Slk Sehwag V 1 201* 0910 1981 Aus Pak Chappell G.S 3 201 0932 1982 Pak Eng Mohsin Khan 1 200
The above table represents the list of century makers in matches in which they were the ones to do so. Except that the bar has been set quite high, only those who have scored 200 or more are considered. Remember that the next best score is below 100. The stand-out innings are Dravid's 270 (a match-winning innings, away against a good attack, Greenidge's 226 (after two low innings, this was responsible for a huge win, also against a very good attack) and Sehwag's 201 (a modern classic: an unforgettable Sehwag 231-ball epic and won the away match).
I will now go to a table which is available in any statistical section. However I have included the same in this to round off this article. This is the list of batsmen who scored hundreds in wach innings.
11. Two hundreds scored in a match
if (runs>=100 && otherruns>=100)Ordered by match Runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman BP Runs1 Runs2 RunsMat
1148 1990 Eng Ind Gooch G.A 1 333 123 456 0733 1974 Aus Nzl Chappell G.S 4 247* 133 380 1572 2001 Win Slk Lara B.C 4 221 130 351 0646 1969 Aus Win Walters K.D 5 242 103 345 0686 1971 Ind Win Gavaskar S.M 1 124 220 344 1562 2001 Zim Saf Flower A 5 142 199* 341 0693 1972 Win Nzl Rowe L.G 3 214 100* 314 0289 1947 Saf Eng Mitchell B 1 120 189* 309 1905 2009 Slk Bng Dilshan T.M 6 162 143 305 0159 1925 Eng Aus Sutcliffe H 1 176 127 303 0879 1980 Aus Pak Border A.R 6 150* 153 303 1623 2002 Aus Eng Hayden M.L 1 197 103 300 And the only batsman who has replicated his scores in each innings 0934 1982 Slk Ind Mendis L.R.D 4 105 105 210
Gooch is the only batsman to have scored a triple century and century in the same match, against India during 1990. The match total was 456, ahead of the next by a comfortable margin. Chappell's total stood for a long time. Chappell, Lara and Gavaskar achieved this feat in away locations. Gavaskar, in his debut series. Rowe did this in his debut Test. Border is the only batsman to have exceeded 150 in both innings.
12. Tests by nos 9, 10, and 11 (not yet there)
if (runs>=100 && batpos>=9)Ordered by Batting position and runs scored
MtId Year For Vs Batsman BP Runs
0016 1884 Eng Aus Read W.W 10 117 1400 1998 Saf Pak Symcox P.L 10 108 0066 1902 Aus Eng Duff R.A 10 104 1139 1990 Nzl Ind Smith I.D.S 9 173 1971 2010 Eng Pak Broad S.C.J 9 169 0098 1908 Aus Eng Hill C 9 160 0623 1967 Pak Eng Asif Iqbal 9 146 1676 2003 Nzl Pak Vettori D.L 9 137* 1800 2006 Nzl Saf Franklin J.E.C 9 122* 0209 1931 Eng Nzl Allen G.O.B 9 122 0609 1966 Eng Win Murray J.T 9 112 1529 2001 Saf Slk Pollock S.M 9 111 1701 2004 Bng Win Mohammad Rafique 9 111 1573 2001 Nzl Aus Parore A.C 9 110 1541 2001 Saf Win Pollock S.M 9 106* 1349 1997 Saf Ind Klusener L 9 102* 0136 1921 Aus Eng Gregory J.M 9 100 0281 1947 Aus Eng Lindwall R.R 9 100
Finally the list of hundreds made in batting positions 9-11. No century has yet been made in position 11. Three centuries have been made in No.10. The most recent one, and the only hundred in the past 100 years, is Pat Symcox's 108 against Pakistan, in a rain-affected drawn match. Smith's 173 was against India helped New Zealand recover from 131 for 7 to 381. Broad's 169 is recent vintage helping England recover from 102 for 7 to 446 and led England to an innings win against Pakistan. For me, these two innings and Asif's 146, including a stand of 190 for the ninth wicket with Intikhab, stand out.
Readers' selections:
(Maximum of four per reader, to be given in the form
Tendulkar 155, Lara 277, Ponting 156, Hutton 202*
Also short names, not "cricket-follower-from-rajnandgaon" ???
Must be limited to a single line.)
Dave Bollen: Botham 149, SR Waugh 200, Lara 277, Laxman 167. Gaur: Lara 153*, Tendulkar 136, VVS 281, Sehwag 201*. Yogesh: Tendulkar 136, Gilchrist 149*, Laxman 281, Damien Martyn 104. Alok: Lara 153*, Laxman 281, Tendulkar 103* and Botham 149. Andrew: Lara 153*, Trescothick 180, Pietersen 158, S Waugh ???. Ravi M: Bradman 103*, Hughes 100*, Border 100*, Walters 104* Navin A: Laxman 281, Lara 153*, Gooch 154*, Dravid 270 (closest to my own). Gerry: Gavaskar 121, Sobers 132, Fredericks 169, Azhar Mehmood 132 (Saf). Ghose: Lara 153*, Atherton 185*, Hughes 100*, Laxman 281 Sandeep: Sehwag 201*, Laxman 281, Dravid 270, Sehwag 151 Rachit: Tendulkar 136, Gooch 154, Lara 213, Laxman 281 Rakesh: Laxman 281, Lara 153*, Sehwag 201, Tendulkar 136 Ashtung: Laxman 281, Lara 153*, Pietersen 158, Tendulkar 136 Rex: Laxman 281, Sehwag 201*, Tendulkar 103*, Gooch 154* Sarath: Bradman's 103*, Laxman's 281, Lara's 153* and Sachin's 136. Andrew: Jessop's 104, Sutcliffe's 135, McCabe's 232* and Harvey's 151*. Zain: V.Sehwag's 293, Sehwag's 201, S.Anwar's 188 and Broad's 169. Trevor: Gooch 154, Tendulkar 136, Fredericks 169, Laxman 281. Aaditya: Laxman 281, Tendulkar 155, Lara 213, Slater 123. Alex: Slater 123, Greenidge 134, Taylor 144, Jayasuriya 253. Vivek: Tendulkar 155, Lara 153*, Tendulkar 155, Gilchrist 102. James: Lara's 153*, Laxman's 281, Mark Taylor's 144, M Waugh's 116. Karthik: Lara 153*, Laxman 281, Gilchrist 149* and Botham 149. Jaytirth: Laxman 281, Lara 153, Sehwag 201, Anwar 188 Kothandaram:Lara 153*, Laxman 281, ME Waugh 115, Tendulkar 136. AB: Lara 153, Gooch 154, Laxman 281 and Dravid 233. Oshada: Lara 153*, Jayawardene 123, Sangakkara 192, Greenidge 214* Iain: Bradman 334, Gilchrest 160, S Waugh 200, M.Waugh 116 Bull: Lara's 153, Laxman's 281, Bradman's 103*, Clarke's 151. Raghav: Laxman 281, Lara 153, Botham 149, McCabe 187 Sudarshan: Laxman 281, Sachin 136, Inzamamul 138* and Sarwan 105 Aditya: Headley 270, Gavaskar 101, Pollock 125 and ???. Deepak: Ganguly 144, Mudassar 114, McCabe 232 and ???. Jayanth: Hanif Mohd's 337,Gavasker's 221, Laxman's 281, Lara's 153. krishna : lara 153, kapil 119, laxman 281, steve waugh 200 Harsh: Lara153,Gooch154,Mcabe232,Pollock125 Vinish: Lara 153*, Laxman 281, Gooch 154 and Lara 213 (Author's privilege to select one of three). Obelix: S.Waugh 200, Border 98/100, Slater 106, Hilditch 70/113.