5 incredible fourth innings centuries in a winning cause

Brian Lara 153* : West Indies vs Australia – Barbados, 1999

Brian Lara on his way to a match-winning 153*

This was arguably the greatest fourth innings hundred of all times. Brian Charles Lara scripted a fairytale win for the West Indies by scoring a sensational hundred in the fourth innings of the 3rd test at Barbados against Australia in 1999.

Aussies amassed 490 runs in the first innings and went on to secure a huge lead of 161 runs after bowling the Windies out for 329. However, against the run of play, the Aussies were skittled out for just 146 thanks to an inspired bowling spell from Courtney Walsh.

Needing an improbable 308 to win the Windies were tottering at 78/3 when Brian Lara came out to play one of the magical knocks you will ever see in a high-pressure fourth innings chase. Lara farmed the strike brilliantly and dominated an attack that comprised of McGrath, Gillespie, Warne, and MacGill.

His footwork to leg spin and his judgement against the pacers were exemplary. The way he batted with the tail, especially Curtly Ambrose was a lesson in batsmanship. Windies ended up winning by 1 wicket with Lara scoring the winning runs and staying unbeaten on 153.