6 renowned cricketers who were left stranded on 99 not out in ODIs

Scoring a century in any format of the game is special. And while it is no longer seen as a sensational achievement considering the frequency at which it is registered these days, it remains a dream for any aspiring cricketer nonetheless.

Speaking of ODIs, the chances of scoring a hundred are a bit trickier than Tests, especially for middle-order batsmen, due to the paucity of overs. Then again, the challenges that Test cricket offer balance things out.

With the advent of the IPL and many like-minded domestic leagues across the globe, notching hundreds has become all the more easy for batsmen, as they are so attuned to scoring fast. Interestingly though, there have been quite a few instances in international cricket over the years where batsmen have either been stranded on 99, or have been dismissed one short of a hundred.

In this feature, we take a look at six famous batsmen who have a 99 not out to their name in ODIs.

#6 Dean Jones

Dean Jones

Aussie batsman-turned-commentator Dean Jones was stranded on 99 not out in the 13th match of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup against Sri Lanka at Adelaide, played on 28 January 1985.

Sri Lanka elected to field first after winning the toss, and Jones could not complete his hundred as the 50 overs had run out. The No. 3 bat remained unbeaten on 99 from 77 balls, having hit four fours and three sixes.

It was a match dominated by the Aussie batsmen as skipper Allan Border remained unbeaten on 118 from 88 balls.

Under pressure, the Lankans crumbled to 91 all out. Only two Sri Lankan batsmen managed to get into double figures as the batting side folded up in 35.5 overs.

For Australia, Rod McCurdy claimed 3 for 19 while Geoff Lawson, Simon O'Donnell and Kepler Wessels picked up two scalps each.

#5 Richie Richardson

Richie Richardson of the West Indies

Former West Indies captain Richie Richardson was unbeaten on 99 in the first match of the Rothmans Sharjah Cup against Pakistan, played at Sharjah on 15 November 1985.

West Indies were chasing a mere 199 to win the contest and Richardson got 99 in 141 balls, but couldn’t get to a hundred as West Indies crossed Pakistan’s target before that. Richardson opened the innings, and after Desmond Haynes was dismissed for a duck by Wasim Akram, held the innings together. His knock featured 11 fours and one six.

Richardson was well supported by captain Viv Richards, who chipped in with 51 from 50 balls.

Earlier, Pakistan opener Mohsin Khan made an unbeaten 86 from 126 balls with five fours and a six to take the team to a reasonable 196 for 4 in the 45-over contest. But the West Indies batting proved to be too strong for Pakistan.

Follow Sportskeeda for more Cricket news.

#4 Andy Flower

Andy Flower

Arguably Zimbabwe’s greatest batsman of all time, Andy Flower made 99 not out in the 3rd ODI of Australia's tour of Zimbabwe. The match was played at Harare on 24 October 24 1999.

Zimbabwe batted first after being put in by Australia, and Flower, coming in at number four, was unbeaten on 99 when the 50 overs came to a close. Flower’s was the only chief contribution in the innings, as he scored his runs from 111 balls in a innings punctuated with seven fours and two sixes.

Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Tom Moody picked up two wickets each as the Aussies held Zimbabwe to 200 for 9.

In response, Ricky Ponting, opening the innings for a change, marched to 87 not out from 110 balls. Michael Bevan also contributed 77 not out from 107 to deflate the Zimbabwean attack and clinch victory for Australia by nine wickets, in 39 overs.

#3 Mohammad Yousuf

Mohammad Yousuf

Former Pakistan captain, and one of Asia’s most stylish batsmen ever, Mohammad Yousuf also finds himself in this list. Yousuf made an unbeaten 99 against arch-rivals India in the 4th ODI of Pakistan’s tour of India, played at Gwalior on 15 November 2007.

Pakistan batted first in the game and Yousuf, coming in at number four, was stranded on 99 as the 50 overs were up. The middle-order batsman got his runs from 104 balls while hitting seven fours and two sixes during his stay at the crease.

Younis Khan also contributed 68 as Pakistan posted a challenging 255 for 6.

India’s response was led by Sachin Tendulkar, who made 97 from 102 balls, an innings featuring 16 fours. He looked set for a hundred when be was bowled by Umar Gul.

But Tendulkar’s innings set India on the path to a comfortable six-wicket triumph.

#2 Michael Clarke

Michael Clarke

Another ex-captain joins the list. Australia’s 2015 World Cup-winning skipper Michael Clarke also made 99 not out, against Ashes rivals England. This occurred during the 4th ODI of Australia’s tour of England and Ireland at The Oval, on 30 June 2010.

England fielded first after winning the toss, and Clarke was left stranded on 99 from 106 balls as the 50 overs got over. Clarke hit seven fours in his innings, and Ricky Ponting contributed 92 from 93, as Australia posted a strong 290 for 5.

In response, England crumbled to 212 all out in 42.4 overs as Ryan Harris picked up 5 for 32. The accurate medium pacer picked up the two big scalps of Kevin Pietersen and Eoin Morgan to derail England’s chase.

Michael Yardy made a useful 57 from 63, but it was not enough to rescue England.

#1 Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag

The man who loves to reach 100, 200 and even 300 with sixes, Virender Sehwag has also been left stranded on 99 not out - and that too under rather controversial circumstances.

India were chasing 171 to win the third match of the Sri Lanka Triangular Series, played against the hosts at Dambulla on 16 August 2010. The scores were level with Sehwag on 99.

Then, Surav Randiv bowled a big no-ball, and although Sehwag smashed it for a six, the runs weren't counted as India won by virtue of the no-ball itself. Randiv had also started the over with four byes.

Sehwag thus remained not out on 99 from 100 balls, a knock in which he smashed 11 fours and two sixes.

After the game, Sehwag played down the controversy in his inimitable style by saying he understands that teams don’t want players to score hundreds against them. India won the match by six wickets, and that’s all that mattered to Sehwag, hundred or not.