10 most iconic match-saving partnerships in Tests

#6 Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling vs India at Wellington, 2014

McCullum and Watling added a then record partnership of 352 for the 6th wicket

After thrashing India 4-0 in the 5-match ODI series, the Kiwis took a 1-0 lead in the Test series by winning the first Test at Auckland by 40 runs. Wellington was the venue of the second Test and the hosts were bundled out for just 197 in the first innings thanks to the brilliant bowling of Ishant Sharma (6/51) and Mohammed Shami (4/70).

India, in reply, scored 438 in their first innings thanks to Ajinkya Rahane’s 118. He shared a partnership of 120 with skipper MS Dhoni (68) and Shikhar Dhawan also contributed with 98.

Trailing by 246, New Zealand were in a tricky position in their second innings at 94/5 and at this point, the possibility of an innings win for India was looking likely. However, Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling saved the match for the Kiwis through their brilliant batting as they added 352 for the 6th wicket, thus breaking the record for the highest 6th wicket partnership set by Mahela and Prasanna Jayawardene in 2009.

McCullum and Watling’s partnership lasted 738 deliveries with the former scoring 302 and the latter, 124. The partnership was broken when Watling was dismissed by Shami. New Zealand eventually ended their innings on 680/8, giving India a target of 435. India scored 166/3 and the match was drawn.

#5 Dennis Amiss and Patrick Ian Pocock vs West Indies at Kingston, 1974

Dennis Amiss and Patrick Ian Pocock held their nerve to save England from defeat

After losing the first Test to the Windies at Port of Spain, England travelled to Kingston to play the second Test. England won the toss and skipper Mike Denness opted to bat first. The visitors scored 385 in their first innings thanks to fifties from Geoffrey Boycott and Denness.

In reply, West Indies scored a mammoth 583/9 thanks to Lawrence Rowe’s marvelous 120 and fifties from Roy Fredericks (94), Alvin Kallicharan (93), Bernard Julien (66), and Gary Sobers (57). In the second innings, none of the England batsmen managed to stay at the crease except for Dennis Amiss who batted brilliantly. England though were reeling at 271/7, leading by only 41 runs with Amiss running out of partners.

At this point, it looked like the hosts would take the three remaining wickets in no time and chase down a low total to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.

However, Amiss did find assistance in Chris Old and the duo added 72 for the 8th wicket before Old was dismissed for 19. England still had a lead of only 113 and another two quick wickets would ensure a win for the hosts.

However, Patrick Ian Pocock held his ground, blocking and leaving deliveries with determination while Amiss did the run scoring. Pocock and Amiss added 49 for the 9th wicket with the former scoring just 4 from 88 deliveries. This partnership ensured that England had batted long enough to prevent the Windies from having a crack at the target in the few overs that remained.

Pocock was dismissed eventually but England did not lose their final wicket, endeding the final day on 432/9 with Amiss scoring 262.