They don't think it's all over
Lower-order partnerships that formed the highest percentage of the target during a chase
Travis Basevi and George Binoy
04-Nov-2009
Harbhajan Singh and Praveen Kumar's partnership of 84 was 28% of India's target in Vadodara • AFP
We wish records existed for the greatest number of players injured in a series; Australia's ongoing tour of India might have found a place. But they don't, and so we've explored something from the first ODI in Vadodara - where Harbhajan Singh finally reached 1000 runs - that caught Travis' attention. India's eighth-wicket partnership between Harbhajan and Praveen Kumar was worth 84 runs, about 28% of the target of 293 that Australia had set. So we've looked at which other lower-order partnerships (after at least six wickets had fallen) formed the highest percentage of the target during a chase. The Harbhajan-Praveen effort didn't even make the top 30 in ODIs.
One-day internationals
Doug Walters and Gary Gilmour v England, semi-final, 1975 World Cup
Australia's chase of 94 had gone horribly wrong and they were listing at 39 for 6 on a damp Headingley pitch. In walked Gary Gilmour, the wrecker of England's innings, at No. 8, to join Doug Walters, who had watched Chris Old bowl three batsmen in quick succession from the non-striker's end. Walters then proceeded to watch Gilmour throw his bat around. Gilmour was dropped by Tony Greig at slip with the score on 78, and went on to make an unbeaten run-a-ball 28 to lead Australia into the final. The Gilmour-Walters seventh-wicket stand had added 55, 58.5% of the target Australia needed. No lower-order partnership has scored a larger portion of the target since.
Australia's chase of 94 had gone horribly wrong and they were listing at 39 for 6 on a damp Headingley pitch. In walked Gary Gilmour, the wrecker of England's innings, at No. 8, to join Doug Walters, who had watched Chris Old bowl three batsmen in quick succession from the non-striker's end. Walters then proceeded to watch Gilmour throw his bat around. Gilmour was dropped by Tony Greig at slip with the score on 78, and went on to make an unbeaten run-a-ball 28 to lead Australia into the final. The Gilmour-Walters seventh-wicket stand had added 55, 58.5% of the target Australia needed. No lower-order partnership has scored a larger portion of the target since.
Michael Bevan and Paul Reiffel v West Indies, Sydney, 1996
Australia and West Indies contested one of the most memorable one-dayers on New Year's Day 1996, one that forged Michael Bevan's reputation as a finisher. Chasing 173 in 43 overs, Curtly Ambrose and Ottis Gibson had reduced Australia to 74 for 7 when Paul Reiffel joined Bevan. They added 83 for the eighth wicket, nearly 48% of the target, before Reiffel was dismissed for 34. Reiffel had been part of another rearguard with Shane Warne two years prior, against South Africa, but Australia had lost that match in Port Elizabeth. Bevan, however, ensured that result wasn't repeated. With four needed off the final ball, he successfully clubbed Roger Harper straight down the ground to finish unbeaten on 78. Bobby Simpson called it the best innings he had seen while chasing, but it was Reiffel who was Man of the Match for his 34 and 4 for 29.
Australia and West Indies contested one of the most memorable one-dayers on New Year's Day 1996, one that forged Michael Bevan's reputation as a finisher. Chasing 173 in 43 overs, Curtly Ambrose and Ottis Gibson had reduced Australia to 74 for 7 when Paul Reiffel joined Bevan. They added 83 for the eighth wicket, nearly 48% of the target, before Reiffel was dismissed for 34. Reiffel had been part of another rearguard with Shane Warne two years prior, against South Africa, but Australia had lost that match in Port Elizabeth. Bevan, however, ensured that result wasn't repeated. With four needed off the final ball, he successfully clubbed Roger Harper straight down the ground to finish unbeaten on 78. Bobby Simpson called it the best innings he had seen while chasing, but it was Reiffel who was Man of the Match for his 34 and 4 for 29.
| Partners | Runs | Target |
|---|
%
In
Out
Result
Opposition
Start Date
Scorecard
GJ Gilmour, KD Walters (Aust)
55
94
58.5
39/6
94/6
won
v Eng
Jun 18, 1975
ODI 31
UDU Chandana, DPMD Jayawardene (SL)
126
221
57.0
95/6
221/6
won
v India
Aug 3, 2005
ODI 2265
IK Pathan, Jai P Yadav (India)
118
216
54.6
44/8
162/9
lost
v NZ
Aug 26, 2005
ODI 2273
PR Reiffel, SK Warne (Aust)
119
228
52.1
77/7
196/8
lost
v SA
Apr 4, 1994
ODI 901
IP Butchart, DL Houghton (Zim)
117
243
48.1
104/7
221/8
lost
v NZ
Oct 10, 1987
ODI 454
MG Bevan, PR Reiffel (Aust)
83
173
47.9
74/7
157/8
won
v WI
Jan 1, 1996
ODI 1028
KM Dabengwa, P Utseya (Zim)
72
153
47.0
58/6
130/7
lost
v SL
Nov 30, 2008
ODI 2785
RS Bopara, SCJ Broad (Eng)
99
213
46.4
114/7
213/7
won
v India
Aug 30, 2007
ODI 2617
Javed Miandad, Saleem Yousuf (Pak)
80
173
46.2
75/6
155/6
lost
v WI
Nov 4, 1986
ODI 397
AF Giles, MP Vaughan (Eng)
92
205
44.8
62/6
154/7
lost
v India
Sep 5, 2004
ODI 2167
SM Ervine, T Taibu (Zim)
99
223
44.3
47/6
146/7
lost
v WI
Nov 29, 2003
ODI 2069
JC Adams, NAM McLean (WI)
60
139
43.1
31/8
91/9
lost
v Zim
Jan 23, 2001
ODI 1675
MV Boucher, HH Dippenaar (SA)
101
236
42.7
91/6
192/7
lost
v SL
Aug 21, 2002
ODI 1866
JDP Oram, DL Vettori (NZ)
103
241
42.7
35/6
138/7
lost
v Aust
Nov 1, 2006
ODI 2441
LOB Cann, DA Minors (Ber)
64
150
42.6
89/7
153/7
won
v Can
May 17, 2006
ODI 2375
JK Kamande, TM Odoyo (Kenya)
98
231
42.4
135/6
233/6
won
v Can
Oct 18, 2007
ODI 2634
MV Boucher, L Klusener (SA)
87
206
42.2
122/6
209/6
won
v Aust
Apr 16, 2000
ODI 1591
Enamul Haque, Khaled Mashud (Bang)
85
203
41.8
68/6
153/7
lost
v Pak
Jan 22, 2002
ODI 1790
CN Evans, PA Strang (Zim)
71
171
41.5
78/6
149/7
won
v India
Feb 7, 1997
ODI 1174
MF Maharoof, KC Sangakkara (SL)
63
153
41.1
51/6
114/7
won
v Bang
Jan 16, 2009
ODI 2794
A Flower, GJ Whittall (Zim)
91
223
40.8
107/6
198/7
won
v SA
Feb 2, 2000
ODI 1555
Anil Dalpat, Rameez Raja (Pak)
108
265
40.7
129/6
237/7
lost
v NZ
Feb 6, 1985
ODI 302
RD Jacobs, RR Sarwan (WI)
98
242
40.4
80/6
178/7
lost
v NZ
Feb 13, 2003
ODI 1949
PR Downton, MW Gatting (Eng)
86
215
40.0
129/6
215/6
won
v India
Dec 5, 1984
ODI 279
DJ Richardson, PL Symcox (SA)
88
221
39.8
96/7
184/8
lost
v India
Nov 6, 1996
ODI 1138
HS Baidwan, S Dhaniram (Can)
78
196
39.7
61/6
139/7
lost
v Ber
Jun 29, 2008
ODI 2725
Abdul Razzaq, Kamran Akmal (Pak)
52
131
39.6
82/6
134/6
won
v SL
Mar 19, 2006
ODI 2352
SMH Kirmani, Yashpal Sharma (India)
89
225
39.5
121/6
210/6
lost
v Pak
Dec 3, 1982
ODI 162
AIC Dodemaide, MRJ Veletta (Aust)
73
189
38.6
100/6
173/7
won
v SL
Jan 19, 1988
ODI 496
CD Collymore, RL Powell (WI)
84
226
37.1
52/7
136/8
lost
v India
Sep 14, 1999
ODI 1499
Tests
Richie Benaud and Alan Davidson v West Indies, Brisbane, 1960
Only once in a Test match has a lower-order partnership contributed more than 50% of the target. Alan Davidson and Richie Benaud's effort came in the first-ever tied Test. West Indies had set Australia 233 to chase and Wes Hall had taken four wickets to reduce them to 92 for 6. Both Benaud and Davidson scored half-centuries and batted on until only 27 runs were needed in the last half an hour of the match. It was then that Benaud chanced a sharp single and Joe Solomon hit the stumps from midwicket to run out Davidson for 80. The pair had added 134 runs for the seventh wicket, 57.5% of the target. Australia needed six runs off the final over and Benaud became Hall's fifth wicket, off the second ball. Solomon scored another direct hit off the final ball, running out Ian Meckiff with the scores level.
Only once in a Test match has a lower-order partnership contributed more than 50% of the target. Alan Davidson and Richie Benaud's effort came in the first-ever tied Test. West Indies had set Australia 233 to chase and Wes Hall had taken four wickets to reduce them to 92 for 6. Both Benaud and Davidson scored half-centuries and batted on until only 27 runs were needed in the last half an hour of the match. It was then that Benaud chanced a sharp single and Joe Solomon hit the stumps from midwicket to run out Davidson for 80. The pair had added 134 runs for the seventh wicket, 57.5% of the target. Australia needed six runs off the final over and Benaud became Hall's fifth wicket, off the second ball. Solomon scored another direct hit off the final ball, running out Ian Meckiff with the scores level.
Lance Cairns and Gary Troup v West Indies, Dunedin, 1980
This Test is best remembered for Michael Holding kicking down the stumps after an appeal for caught behind against John Parker was turned down during New Zealand's chase of 104. The hosts were soon left reeling at 73 for 8 by the pace trio of Holding, Joel Garner and Colin Croft, and pinned their hopes on Lance Cairns and Gary Troup, Nos. 9 and 10. The two slowly pushed the score to 95 for 8 at tea. After the addition of one run following the break, Holding grazed Cairns' stumps but didn't dislodge a bail. Cairns, however, was dismissed for 19, after a partnership of 27, which was 26% of the target, with the score on 100. Troup and Stephen Boock scrambled four off the final over, bowled by Garner, to give New Zealand a one-wicket victory. It led to West Indies' last Test-series defeat for 15 years.
This Test is best remembered for Michael Holding kicking down the stumps after an appeal for caught behind against John Parker was turned down during New Zealand's chase of 104. The hosts were soon left reeling at 73 for 8 by the pace trio of Holding, Joel Garner and Colin Croft, and pinned their hopes on Lance Cairns and Gary Troup, Nos. 9 and 10. The two slowly pushed the score to 95 for 8 at tea. After the addition of one run following the break, Holding grazed Cairns' stumps but didn't dislodge a bail. Cairns, however, was dismissed for 19, after a partnership of 27, which was 26% of the target, with the score on 100. Troup and Stephen Boock scrambled four off the final over, bowled by Garner, to give New Zealand a one-wicket victory. It led to West Indies' last Test-series defeat for 15 years.
Sachin Tendulkar and Manoj Prabhakar v England, Old Trafford, 1990
India were set 408 to win in a minimum of 88 overs on the final day in Manchester. However, Navjot Sidhu was out off the seventh ball off the innings, and though the batsmen maintained a steady run-rate, India were soon 183 for 6 and in danger of going 0-2 down in the series. Two-and-a-half hours of play remained when Manoj Prabhakar joined Sachin Tendulkar. England had a chance to dismiss Tendulkar on 10 but Eddie Hemmings dropped a return catch. Tendulkar went on to remain unbeaten on 119, the first of many centuries, and added 160 (39% of the target) for the seventh wicket with Prabhakar, who scored 67, to force a draw.
India were set 408 to win in a minimum of 88 overs on the final day in Manchester. However, Navjot Sidhu was out off the seventh ball off the innings, and though the batsmen maintained a steady run-rate, India were soon 183 for 6 and in danger of going 0-2 down in the series. Two-and-a-half hours of play remained when Manoj Prabhakar joined Sachin Tendulkar. England had a chance to dismiss Tendulkar on 10 but Eddie Hemmings dropped a return catch. Tendulkar went on to remain unbeaten on 119, the first of many centuries, and added 160 (39% of the target) for the seventh wicket with Prabhakar, who scored 67, to force a draw.
| Partners |
|---|
Runs
Target
%
In
Out
Result
Opposition
Start Date
Scorecard
R Benaud, AK Davidson (Aus)
134
233
57.5
92/6
226/7
tied
v WI
Dec 9, 1960
Test 498
W Flowers, JM Read (Eng)
102
214
47.6
92/6
194/7
lost
v Aus
Feb 20, 1885
Test 19
MC Bird, JB Hobbs (Eng)
95
221
42.9
93/6
188/7
won
v SA
Feb 26, 1910
Test 108
AW Nourse, GC White (SA)
121
284
42.6
105/6
226/7
won
v Eng
Jan 2, 1906
Test 88
VWC Jupp, FT Mann (Eng)
68
173
39.3
86/6
154/7
won
v SA
Jan 1, 1923
Test 149
M Prabhakar, SR Tendulkar (India)
160
408
39.2
183/6
343/6
drawn
v Eng
Aug 9, 1990
Test 1149
WR Hammond, RES Wyatt (Eng)
27
73
36.9
48/6
75/6
won
v WI
Jan 8, 1935
Test 238
VL Manjrekar, MAK Pataudi (India)
93
254
36.6
122/6
215/7
won
v Aus
Oct 10, 1964
Test 567
DJ Cullinan, L Klusener (SA)
127
356
35.6
95/7
222/8
drawn
v India
Jan 16, 1997
Test 1350
DCS Compton, RO Jenkins (Eng)
45
128
35.1
70/6
115/7
won
v SA
Dec 16, 1948
Test 306
GE Bradburn, DN Patel (NZ)
84
243
34.5
64/6
148/7
lost
v Pak
Oct 26, 1990
Test 1153
MV Boucher, PS de Villiers (SA)
86
255
33.7
133/8
219/9
lost
v Pak
Feb 26, 1998
Test 1403
Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram (Pak)
46
138
33.3
95/8
141/8
won
v Eng
Jun 18, 1992
Test 1190
MV Boucher, ND McKenzie (SA)
39
121
32.2
73/6
112/7
won
v SL
Nov 15, 2002
Test 1626
AG Fairfax, SJ McCabe (Aus)
79
251
31.4
76/6
155/7
lost
v WI
Feb 27, 1931
Test 208
IR Bell, MJ Prior (Eng)
109
350
31.1
139/6
248/7
lost
v SL
Dec 1, 2007
Test 1851
JW Gleeson, RW Marsh (Aus)
104
342
30.4
147/8
251/9
lost
v Eng
Jun 8, 1972
Test 698
CJ McDermott, DR Martyn (Aus)
35
117
29.9
75/8
110/9
lost
v SA
Jan 2, 1994
Test 1243
Abdul Qadir, Anil Dalpat (Pak)
19
65
29.2
40/6
59/7
won
v Eng
Mar 2, 1984
Test 978
PH Parfitt, JM Parks (Eng)
93
319
29.1
114/7
207/8
lost
v SA
Aug 5, 1965
Test 595
HDG Leveson Gower, GJ Thompson (Eng)
70
244
28.6
108/7
178/8
lost
v SA
Jan 1, 1910
Test 106
NJ Astle, CD McMillan (NZ)
103
370
27.8
169/6
272/6
drawn
v India
Oct 8, 2003
Test 1660
Mohammad Wasim, Mushtaq Ahmed (Pak)
76
276
27.5
135/7
211/8
lost
v NZ
Nov 21, 1996
Test 1339
Mohammad Wasim, Moin Khan (Pak)
75
276
27.1
60/6
135/7
lost
v NZ
Nov 21, 1996
Test 1339
M Azharuddin, M Prabhakar (India)
101
372
27.1
182/6
283/7
lost
v Aus
Jan 25, 1992
Test 1184
RJ Bright, DK Lillee (Aus)
35
130
26.9
75/8
110/9
lost
v Eng
Jul 16, 1981
Test 905
DW Fleming, IA Healy (Aus)
69
263
26.2
83/8
152/9
lost
v Eng
Jan 26, 1995
Test 1284
BL Cairns, GB Troup (NZ)
27
104
25.9
73/8
100/9
won
v WI
Feb 8, 1980
Test 873
JDP Oram, DL Vettori (NZ)
124
494
25.1
176/6
300/7
lost
v SL
Aug 26, 2009
Test 1932
DG Cork, JP Crawley (Eng)
76
305
24.9
231/6
307/6
won
v NZ
Feb 14, 1997
Test 1355
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George Binoy is a senior sub-editor at Cricinfo