5 Times the number 11 top-scored in a Test match innings

The very nature of Test cricket allows batsmen at all positions to score runs since overs are not restricted and even a number 11 batsman does not have to go for big hits like he might have to in limited overs cricket.

Hence, they have the opportunity to score runs but on the other hand, it is a telling indictment on the rest of the batting line up if the last man ends up getting the highest score in the innings. There have been very few instances (10, actually) in which the last man ended up being the highest scorer in a Test match innings.

Here is a look at 5 of the highest scores made by such players.

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#5 Steve Harmison vs South Africa at Cape Town, 2005

The former England fast bowler reigned as one of the world’s best for a brief period in the early to mid-noughties but back in 2005, Steve Harmison shone with the bat in a losing cause. In the 3rd Test of the 5-match series at Cape Town, England crashed to 163 all out in response to South Africa’s 441 and were then set a target of 501. The English batsmen did better in the second innings but despite getting starts, none of them went on to make the big score that could have saved the game and eventually they found themselves at 9 down for 253.

That is when Harmison walked in and decided to throw his bat at everything. It was nothing more than a bit of entertainment for everyone after a wretched batting display by England. The big fast bowler hit 7 fours and one six to top score for England with a knock of 42. Considering the fact that he ended with a career average of 11.79 in Tests, the English batsmen involved in that Test must feel a bit embarrassed to this day.

#4 Frederick Spofforth against England at Melbourne, 1885

Image credit: cricket.com.au

With an average of 18.41 in 18 Test matches, Fred Spofforth was the earliest Australian fast bowling star and was well known for often making some of the best batsmen look foolish. Although his career batting average of 9.43 indicates that he was a bit of a novice when it came to batting, he did top-score for Australia once while batting at number 11.

In the deciding 5th Test of the 1884-85 Ashes at Melbourne, Australia chose to bat first, but the plan backfired horribly. The batsmen could not handle the English bowlers and soon the hosts had been reduced to 99 for 9 when Spofforth walked in. He played for 70 minutes and hit 4 boundaries, in addition to a solitary six to score exactly 50 runs. It proved to be the top score and Australia made 163. However, it was not enough as England won the game by an innings and 98 runs.

#3 Shane Shillingford against New Zealand at Jamaica, 2014

The West Indian off-spinner has played only 16 Test matches in his career but Shane Shillingford has already accomplished the feat that most number 11s dream of. Back in 2014, the West Indies slumped to a heavy defeat at the hands of New Zealand in the first Test of the series at Jamaica. After the visitors had made 508 in their first innings, West Indies were all out for 262 but New Zealand did not enforce the follow-on and instead batted again.

West Indies were set to 403 to win but the batsmen floundered badly and when Shillingford came into bat, they were reeling at 134 for 9. He decided to have some fun and swung his bat with gay abandon since the game was as good as over. He faced 29 deliveries and hit 3 fours and 5 sixes to top score for the side with an entertaining 53. More importantly, he remained not out till the end.

#2 Bert Vogler against England at Cape Town, 1906

Bert Vogler (Middle row: 2nd from right)

The bowler, who could bowl medium pace and off-spin, with the action of a leg-spin bowler, was one of the early greats of South African cricket. However, in 1906, it was his abilities as a batsman that went a long way in South Africa defeating England at Cape Town. Batting first England had been shot out for 187 but South African themselves were ahead by 52 when Vogler came into bat.

Along with captain Percy Sherwell, he added 94 for the last wicket and took the score to 333. Vogler batted for 75 minutes and hit 5 boundaries, in addition to 3 sixes to end as the top scorer in the innings for South Africa. The score proved to be enough as England were then dismissed for 130 and the hosts won the game by an innings and 16 runs.

#1 Ashton Agar against England at Nottingham, 2013

The 2013 Ashes in England got off to a rousing start as the hosts prevailed in a closely contested game by 14 runs but it would not have been the case had Australia’s number 11 not played one of the greatest innings ever by a number 11 batsman. After dismissing England for 215 in the first innings, Australia must have thought that they had their noses ahead in the game. However, in their response, the batsmen floundered badly and they soon found themselves in a hopeless position with the scoreboard reading 117 for 9.

That is when left-arm spinner, number 11 and debutant Ashton Agar walked in. No one quite gave a debutante at number 11 much of a chance but he played a superb innings to help Australia recover. With Phil Hughes for company, he soon became far more confident and played the English bowlers with the assurance that would have made the batsmen feel a bit silly. He hit 12 fours and 2 sixes and missed his century by only 2 runs. Agar ended up as the top scorer with 98 and helped Australia take a lead of 65 in the first innings.