Cricket is a game of glorious uncertainties and it’s very hard to predict the outcome of a match before the last ball is bowled. Ever since the inception of the game we have been blessed with some terrific batsmen who gave nightmares to bowlers all around the world.
Every budding cricketer dreams of scoring a Test century for his country but some are not lucky enough to go on and achieve this feat while very few go on to score centuries and double centuries for their country.
Over the years we have noticed that a batsman starts getting nervy whenever he nears his century or double century and that gives a chance to the opposition to dismiss him.
Here is the list of the 8 batsmen in Test history who were dismissed for 199
1) Sanath Jayasuriya (against India at Colombo, 1997)
Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin won the toss and put Sri Lanka in. It was a brilliant century from Aravinda de Silva in the 1st innings which propelled the Sri Lankans to a competitive 332.
India took a lead of 43 runs in their 1st innings courtesy centuries from the “Master Blaster” Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly .
Sri Lanka responded in a terrific fashion in their 2nd innings with two of their batsmen going beyond hundred. With the score at 363/2 and Sanath Jayasuriya batting on 199 Abey Kuruvilla bowled a perfect inswinger which came in sharply and rattled the stumps. It was unfortunate for the destructive batsman to miss out on a well deserved double century. The match eventually ended in a draw and the series was shared 0-0.
2) Mohammad Azharuddin (against Sri Lanka at Kanpur 1986)
Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat and put up a very good total in their 1st innings. There was not a single century in the innings but small useful contributions enabled the Sri Lankans to reach 420.
Three batsmen in the Indian batting lineup scored centuries as they amassed a mammoth 676 in the 1st innings. Sunil Gavaskar laid the foundation with a rollicking 176 and along with Azhar the duo stitched together a 163 run partnership for the 4th wicket.
Azharuddin looked set for his maiden double century but unfortunately at his personal score of 199 he attempted his trademark flick shot but was trapped infront and there was no hesitation in the umpire’s mind as he declared him out.
The match eventually ended in a dull draw and the series was locked at 0-0.
3) Mudassar Nazar (against India at Faisalabad, 1984)
One of the dullest draws in Test history, this match will be remembered for personal milestones. India won the toss and opted to bat and piled up 500 runs in their 1st innings. Ravi Shastri was the highest scorer with 139 and Sandip Patil also chipped in with 127. The pitch had nothing to offer for the bowlers and the batsmen piled on their agony.
Pakistan responded in an emphatic fashion but they scored too slowly. Mudassar Nazar and Qasim Umar shared a 250 run partnership as the latter went on to score a brilliant double century. With the score at 391/1 and Mudassar Nazar batting on 199 Shivlal Yadav bowled a loopy off break and Nazar went for it but to his utter disbelief he nicked the ball straight to Syed Kirmani and he made no mistake in catching the ball.
Pakistan played out 224 overs in their 1st innings and scored 674/6 before the match ended in a draw.
4) Mathew Elliot (against England at Leeds, 1997)
Australia won the toss and put the opposition in. It was the 4th Test of the Ashes series and the series was locked at 1-1.
Jason Gillespie proved unplayable in the 1st innings as he finished with a career-best figures of 7/37. From 154/4 the English side collapsed like a pack of cards and was eventually bowled out for 172.
Australia began their 1st innings on a shaky note as an inspired bowling spell by Darren Gough and Dean Headly left the Aussies reeling at 50/4. It was the duo of Mathew Elliot and Ricky Ponting that bailed Australia out of trouble. They scored freely as both notched up their centuries and was looking set for much more. The duo took Australia past the 300 mark before Ponting was dismissed for 127.
Elliot looked destined to score his maiden double century but a Darren Gough Yorker undid him at his personal score of 199. It was a sad end to a great innings.
Australia bowled out England cheaply in their 2nd innings handing them a victory by an innings &61 runs.
5) Steve Waugh (against West Indies at Bridgetown, 1999)
Aussie captain Steve Waugh won the toss and opted to bat. The brutal spell from Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose left the visitors reeling at 36/3 but it was Steve Waugh and Ricky Ponting who resurrected their innings and went on to score brilliant centuries.
Steve Waugh looked set for his 2nd double century but an attempted slog sweep on 199 hit him right in front and he was adjudged LBW. Though he was unable to score a double century but his innings propelled Australia to 490.
Glenn McGrath took 4 wickets as the Windies were bowled out for 329 giving Australia a massive lead of 161 runs. Curtly Ambrose took 5 wickets and shook the Aussie top order in their 2nd innings as they were bundled out for a paltry 146.
Chasing a stiff target of 308, it was a brilliant match-winning century from Brian Lara that enabled West Indies to chase down the target with just one wicket to spare. It was one of the greatest Test matches ever.
6) Younis Khan (against India at Lahore, 2006)
Pakistan captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and chose to bat. On a flat Lahore pitch, 4 Pakistani batsmen scored centuries as the side piled up 679 in their 1st innings. The talking point of the match came when Younis Khan was batting on 199. As he went for his 200th run Harbhajan Singh hit the stumps directly and the former was unable to make his crease. It was a brilliant piece of fielding by the “Turbanator” but the way Younis played during his innings he deserved a double century.
Rain played spoilsport on Day 2 and 3 as the match headed for a dull draw. Virender Sehwag scored a majestic double century in less than run a ball and with Rahul Dravid, the duo stitched together a 410 run partnership for the 1st wicket. They fell 3 runs short of the world record. After the loss of Sehwag, both captains decided to call off the match with very few overs left in the match.
7) Ian Bell (against South Africa at Lord’s, 2008)
The South Africans were touring England for a 4 match Test series and both locked horns in the first match at Lord’s. South Africa captain Graeme Smith won the toss and put the opposition in.
Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen shared a massive partnership together and both of them completed their elusive centuries. The duo came in at a precarious situation and bailed England out of trouble. Kevin Pietersen was dismissed on 152 but Ian Bell kept going and looked set for his maiden double century.
On 199 Bell looked for a quick single on the leg side but mistimed it straight to the bowler. Paul Harris completed the catch with utmost ease and the elusive double century evaded Bell.
The South Africans were bundled out for 247 in their 1st innings but came back strongly in the 2nd innings after following on. Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla and Neil Mckenzie all scored centuries as the Proteas saved the match with relative comfort.
8) Steven Smith (against West Indies at Kingston, 2015)
It was the 2nd Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy and Australia was leading the series 1-0. West Indies won the toss and put the Australians in.
Steven Smith looked in sublime touch as he went on piling runs but the other batsmen were unable to provide him enough support from the other end. He scored a magnificent century and looked set for much more but he was running out of partners.
On 199 Smith wanted to guide the ball for a single but was trapped in front and was adjudged LBW. It was a controversial decision as hawk-eye showed the ball would have missed the leg stump but this sort of things happens in cricket and you have to accept them and move on.
West Indies scored 220 in their first innings handing Australia a comfortable lead of 179 runs. The Aussies declared their 2nd innings on 212 and set Windies an improbable victory target of 400.
West Indies batsman failed miserably in the 2nd innings getting bundled out for a meagre 114. Mitchell Starc was the wrecker in chief picking up 3 wickets.
The victory ensured Australia won the series 2-0.
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