5 pairs of batsmen who have scored the most runs together in the fourth innings

A peripheral argument often revolves around the art of batting in Test cricket. Are runs amassed in the first couple of innings more valuable than those scored in the third as well as fourth innings? While the former does player a bigger role in setting up victories, the latter is widely touted as the ultimate challenge facing any batsman.

With the pitch deteriorating sharply and hungry bowlers grooving at the top of their game, batting in the fourth innings becomes the toughest task in the format. While spinners are able to get much more purchase, the variable bounce seen on a crumbling surface also adds teeth to the potency of fast bowlers. Let us take a look at five pairs of batsmen who have overcome such obstacles to accumulate the most runs together in the fourth innings.

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#5 Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart - 868 runs

Stewart and Atherton were the batting mainstays of England's lineup during the 1990s

As evidenced by their collection of 868 runs from 16 innings at an impressive average of 62, Mike Atherton and Alec Stewart enjoyed batting together in the fourth innings. The duo registered two century-plus partnerships and eight fifty-plus stands to shore up England's fortunes in the business stages. While Atherton's dogged defence kept opposition bowlers at bay, Stewart's wide range of strokes provided the artistic touch.

The highest fourth-innings partnership between Atherton and Stewart came against Pakistan at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground in 1996. The duo managed to survive the new-ball spells of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis before adding 154 runs for the second wicket. However, leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed removed both batsmen in quick succession to trigger a fatal England collapse.

#4 Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer - 888 runs

Hayden and Langer formed the second most prolific opening combination of all time

With 6081 runs from 122 innings, the opening pairing of Matthew Hayden and Justin Langer was the bedrock for Australian batting's dominant showing at the turn of the millennium. 888 of those runs came from 27 innings in the last stages of Test matches. Even though an average of 37 may not appear remarkable, Langer's resistance and Hayden's aggression were not easy to get past for opposition bowlers.

Hayden and Langer were involved in one century-plus partnership and seven fifty-plus stands in the fourth innings. The solitary three-figure partnership came against South Africa at Cape Town in 2002. Facing a target of 331 runs, their 102-run opening stand set the platform for Australia's memorable four-wicket victory.

#3 Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith - 890 runs

Hashim Amla and Graeme Smith relished the prospect of a fourth innings run-chase

Unlike their well-documented woes under pressure in the limited-overs formats, South Africa have always been known to lift their game to meet gruelling situations at Test level. Among the major reasons for their rise to the top of the Test rankings in 2012 was the versatility of their batting department. Skipper Graeme Smith and key-man Hashim Amla formed the fulcrum of the lineup to thwart opposition bowlers.

Smith and Amla were at their best in the fourth innings. From 15 innings together, they amassed 890 runs at an average of 63.57 including two century-plus partnerships and six fifty-plus stands. Their 153-run partnership for the second wicket in the 2008 Perth Test was instrumental in propelling South Africa to the second highest successful fourth-innings run-chase in the history of the game.

#2 Matthew Hayden and Ricky Ponting - 973 runs

Hayden and Ponting possess the best batting average among the top five combinations

Interestingly, Hayden was much more prolific in tandem with skipper Ricky Ponting in the fourth-innings rather than his long-time opening partner Justin Langer. The attacking Australian duo added 973 runs together at a remarkable average of 74.84. It is pertinent to note that they put on four century-plus partnerships and as many fifty-plus partnerships from just 18 innings.

In what was one of those rare cases of like forces making for captivating symbiosis, Hayden and Ponting consistently launched game-changing assaults from both ends. Their aggressive approach made was on display during the 2006 Sydney Test against South Africa. By adding 182 runs in just 33.2 overs, the left-right combination made mincemeat of a seemingly difficult run-chase.

#1 Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes - 1391 runs

Greenidge and Haynes formed the most destructive opening partnership in Test history

In a lineup containing the likes of Sir Vivian Richards and captain Clive Lloyd in addition to some of the meanest fast bowlers to ever play the game, the fact that their contributions are remembered in equal measure stand as testament to the combined might of Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

Much like a double-barrelled gun, Greenidge and Haynes flayed so-called world-class bowling attacks to all parts of the arena. Their tally of 6482 runs from 148 innings remains the highest by any opening pairing in the history of Test cricket. As many as 1391 of those runs came from 30 innings in the business stages.

Extra Cover: Greenidge and Haynes – Gods who opened for the team of gods

The combination of Greenidge and Haynes averaged 66.23 in the fourth innings. The two Bajans added four century-plus partnerships and seven fifty-plus stands. Their unbeaten 250-run partnership from just 61 overs in the 1984 Guyana Test gave an almighty scare to a shell-shocked Australian outfit. Their effort remains the fifth highest partnership in all fourth innings.