5 centuries scored by bowlers at No.9 in Test wins

It is not every day that a batsman batting at No. 9 or lower scores a Test century. That is why it was a momentous eve when Jayant Yadav, playing in his first Test series, became the first Indian to score a century at No.9. What more, his century came as a winning contribution.

To put things into perspective, only 20 Test centuries have been scored in the entire history of the game by batsmen batting at No.9 or lower. 8 of those have come since 2000, showing the competence of modern-day lower order batsmen. Furthermore, only 8 Test centuries have been scored in all of Test history by batsmen batting at No.9 or lower, in victories.

Of those, Clem Hill, Reggie Duff and John Murray were designated batsmen (Murray was a wicket-keeper). We take a look at all 5 of those 8 centuries scored by cricketers playing in the team as bowlers.

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#1 Stuart Broad (England) – 169 Against Pakistan, Lord’s, 2010

Broad’s 169 is the second highest score by a batsman at No. 9 or lower, only second to Ian Smith’s 173 for New Zealand against India, but then, Smith was a wicket-keeper batsman.

Broad’s innings was marred by the fact that the Test will forever be remembered for the spot-fixing charges Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif were found guilty of. Broad walked in at 102 for 7 against a high-quality bowling attack and added 332 runs for the eighth wicket with Jonathan Trott, who scored 184.

England eventually posted 446 and then won the match by an innings and 225 runs, Broad picking up 3 wickets as well.

#2 Jack Gregory (Australia) – 100 Against England, Melbourne, 1921

Gregory not only scored a century but also picked 7 wickets in the match

Jack Gregory’s century came in a massive Australian victory at the MCG. Batting first, Australia were 282-7 when Gregory joined Nip Pellew and the duo added 173 for the eighth wicket. What makes Gregory’s century even more special is that it came in just 115 balls, a strike-rate of 86.95, which was unbelievable in 1921.

Gregory was far from being done though. He picked up a 7-wicket haul, including the wickets 6 of England’s top 7 batsmen, as England had to follow on. England eventually lost by an innings and 91 runs.

#3 Jayant Yadav (India) – 104 Against England, Mumbai, 2016

Yadav put on a huge partnership with captain Virat Kohli

On what looked like a track that was doing quite a bit, Yadav joined his skipper on 364 for 7, India still trailing by 36 runs, after England won the toss, batted first and posted 400. Yadav matched his skipper stroke for stroke, adding 241 for the eighth wicket.

By the time he was out stumped, Yadav ensured India’s lead swelled to 205. India eventually managed 631, almost unimaginable when it was 307 for 6 and was only hoping to not hand England a massive and crucial first innings lead.

Yadav’s long vigil also ensured Kohli had a chance to score a double ton, his third of the year. India eventually won the match by an innings and 36 runs.

#4 Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 111 Against Sri Lanka, Centurion, 2001

Pollock was a capable batsman lower down the South African batting line-up

Batting first, South Africa were in a spot of bother at 204 for 7 when Pollock, the South African skipper walked in to the crease. He added 150 for the eighth wicket with Neil McKenzie who scored 103.

Pollock not only top-scored with 111, but also scored those runs at a strike-rate of 104.71. His 106-ball knock was studded with 16 fours and 3 sixes. South Africa posted 378 and yet, managed to win the match by an impressive innings and 7 runs. Pollock was Man of the Match as well as Man of the Series, SA winning it 2-0.

#5 Lance Klusener (South Africa) – 102* Against India, Cape Town, 1997

Klusener played 49 Test matches for South Africa

In Newlands, Cape Town, ‘Zulu’ gave his home crowd plenty to cheer as he smashed a 100-ball 102* with 13 fours and a six, taking South Africa from 382 for 7 to 529 for 7 declared.

He added 147 unbeaten runs with the other centurion, Brian McMillan, who scored 103 himself. Klusener’s surprise innings became the big difference between the two teams as India fell behind by 170 runs despite scoring 359 in their first innings. South Africa eventually won the match by a massive 282 runs.