Ever since the inception of the T20 format in cricket, the game has favoured the batsmen, with bats nowadays being made in different forms to suit each player’s needs. Bowlers are more often than not at the receiving end of massive blows with sixes and fours being the order of the day in the shorter format. Almost every country is seen hosting a T20 league of some sorts and is more in fashion this era. Test cricket demands truckloads of patience and mental strength, while also taking a serious toll on players and has presented a pale shadow of itself with the shorter format being preferred by viewers off-late.
Test cricket, however, has a grace which is unmatchable. Pure stroke-making and skill is always on display which ensures an equitable battle between bat and ball. Some complain, that T20 cricket has been an overdose while also blaming T20 for the slow decline of test cricket. However, test cricket is one format where all three formats can be represented in a single game.
There have been batsmen who have gone slam-bang from the first ball in test matches, while dead slow match-winning knocks in crunch situations have are also showcased on various occurrences. The T20 approach sees a higher attendance only due to the fast-flying, high adrenaline rush method of cricket exhibited, while ODI cricket falls in between the T20 and test formats.
Quite contrary to the limited-overs scenario, test cricket does not impose any added pressure on batsmen, while allows each player to settle in and score freely. Sweetly timed strokes and crisp drives are some of the trademarks of test cricket which enables batsmen to rake plenty of runs in ample amount of time given their composure at the wicket.
Here we have a look at the highest individual scores registered by batsmen according to batting positions in tests.
#1 Matthew Hayden - 380 of 437 balls, for Australia against Zimbabwe, Perth, October 2003.
Matthew Hayden, perhaps one of the most destructive batsmen of his time holds the record for the highest score by an opener in test cricket, with an astonishing 380-run knock against a listless Zimbabwe bowling attack. The spectacular knock was laced with 38 hits to the fence and 11 hits over it.
In the process of his gigantic knock, Hayden broke Brian Lara’s long-standing record of the highest score in tests at that time with a tuck to mid-wicket (which, by the way, was standing at 375 for nine years). Hayden paced his innings particularly well during his five session stay at the crease, with the right mix of aggression and patience to take the wind out of the Zimbabwean bowlers.
Prior to this knock, Hayden’s best was 203 which came against India. Thirteen years after his knock, the record of ‘The highest test score by an opener’ still stands to his name.
#2 Len Hutton - 364 not out of 847 balls, for England against Australia, The Oval, Aug 1938.
Noted down as one of the most courageous innings ever played by an opener, Len Hutton holds the second highest score by an opener and third highest score in tests overall. Aged 22 at the time and mentored by the great Hedley Verity, Len Hutton came into the test match looking to stamp his authority in the longest format of the game.
Drafted into the English side who had already conceded the Ashes series, the youngster’s marathon innings consisted of 35 fours and a massive amount of patience. Facing a strong Australian battery of bowlers, Hutton showcased a personification of concentration, stroking his way to a marvellous 364 of 847 balls, batting for almost 800 minutes in the game.
He stitched an important partnership with senior mate Leyland, which helped England to a position of strength in the third test. In the process of getting to 364, Hutton also registered the highest score by an English batsman against Australia. Almost 80 years after the mammoth knock, Hutton still holds the record for the highest individual score in the Ashes.
#3 Brian Lara – 400 not out of 582 balls, for West Indies against England, Antigua , April 2004.
One of the most stylish legends to have adorned the game, Brian Lara’s score of 400 at number three remains as the highest registered score ever in test cricket. The left-hander’s 400 run unbeaten knock against England included 43 fours and 4 sixes and provided unmatched entertainment to the packed Antigua crowd.
West Indies came into the game at the back of a hat-trick of losses and were staring down at a series whitewash. Brian Lara was in woeful form and was at the risk of losing his captaincy, which meant, he had to make amends in a bid to help resurrect his team's fortunes. Walking in at the fall of Chris Gayle's wicket, Lara survived a vociferous appeal for a caught behind but was unstoppable following the initial nerves.
After remaining not out until Day 3, Lara beat Hayden’s record of 375 runs with a boundary off a sweep shot to regain the record for the most runs scored in a single innings but knew the job was not done. Maintaining his composure throughout, Lara finally reached the landmark 400-run mark just after lunch and received a standing ovation for his record innings. The innings lasted for almost 13 hours, but more importantly helped West Indies avoid a series whitewash.
#4 Mahela Jayawardena - 374 not out of 572 balls, for Sri Lanka against South Africa, Colombo, July 2006.
Perhaps one of Srilanka’s strongest warriors on the cricket field, Mahela Jayawardena rewrote the record books after he stroked his way to a record 374 run-knock which saw 43 crisp strikes to the boundary and the lone six throughout the breathtaking innings. Jayawardene joined forces with Sangakkara after the quick fall of the openers in a bid to stabilise the Sri Lankan ship. That is exactly what he achieved, squeezing the last bit of energy out of the bowlers in a mammoth innings.
En-route to scripting the historical knock, Jayawardena penned his name down as the record holder for ‘The highest score by a right-hander in tests’ and was also involved in a record stand with Kumar Sangakkara. All through the innings, Jayawardena maintained his composure and ensured he was not beaten a single time until the last ball he faced where he unluckily fell to a ball that kept low.
#5 Michael Clarke - 329 not out of 468 balls, for Australia against India, Sydney, January 2012.
With a 329-run knock studded with 39 fours and a six to his name, Michael Clarke has his name on the record books as the highest run-scorer at number five position. Although the innings was pleasing to the eye, the declaration that was brought about was heartening and spoke volumes about skipper Michael Clarke’s character.
Clarke was at his incredible best on the day, producing smashing drives and essaying flicks to perfection. Neither seamers nor the spinners were able to get the better of him, as he went on his merry ways to register his best score in international cricket. At his very best, Clarke is arguably the most stylish right-handers in business and is a treat to watch for anyone who follows the game.
Going into the drinks break on day 2 just 5 runs shy of amassing the highest score by an Australian captain and 71 runs behind Lara’s iconic world-record score of 400*, Michael Clarke put his needs aside and went on to declare the Australian innings at 659-4, with a mammoth lead which was enough to help the Aussies from registering an easy victory later on.
#6 Ben Stokes - 258 of 198 balls, for England against South Africa, Cape Town, January 2016.
An all-rounder from England, Ben Stokes is more than capable with both bat and ball in hand. A hard-hitter of the cricket ball, Stokes powered his way through a sluggish South African bowling attack with ease, plundering 258 runs off just 198 balls with 30 fours and 11 sixes to his name.
The Newlands crowd, although the majority of them supporting South Africa, enjoyed to their money’s worth as they were a witness to the carnage initiated by Stokes and supported by Johhny Bairstow. Having dug England out of trouble with a massive contribution on the fourth day of the test match, the onus was on Stokes to ensure South Africa did not gain the upper hand on the last day of the test match.
As if on a mission, Stokes continued from where he left off, smashing the ball to all parts of the ground while also registering the second fastest double ton and fastest 250 in test cricket which helped England reach safe shores.
#7 Donald Bradman – 270 of 375 balls, for Australia against England, Melbourne, Jan 1937.
Those who have watched the great Donald Bradman bat would know the story before every one of his innings. Stride out, collect a heap of runs including a century, torment opposition bowlers and trod back slowly. This was the routine for Sir Donald Bradman, who ended his test career with a staggering average of 99.94.
In the 1937/38 Ashes series, Bradman produced yet another innings which went into the record books. Coming in at number 7, Bradman made optimum use of the unstable weather conditions and sticky ball to great effect, stroking his way to a wonderful 270-run knock amidst running a cold while batting. Along with Jack Fingleton, Bradman stitched an important 346-run sixth wicket partnership that later went on to prove to be towards a match winning cause.
Don Bradman not only is a legend by all standards, he has the stats that are almost impossible to equal Having scored heaps of runs against every opponent he has faced, Bradman is arguably the best cricketer the world has ever witnessed.
#8 Wasim Akram- 257 not out of 363 balls, for Pakistan against Zimbabwe, Sheikhapura, Oct 1996.
Wasim Akram is acknowledged as one of the best fast bowlers in cricket, who was capable of tormenting the world’s best batsmen with his yorkers and swinging deliveries. Little does the world know, that the Pakistan legend has a record for his batting skills as well. Akram holds the record for the highest score by a number eight batsman in tests, with a scintillating 257 against Zimbabwe in the first ever game played at the Sheikhapura grounds in Pakistan.
With Pakistan tottering at 183-6, skipper Wasim Akram walked out to loud cheers and was expected to nudge his bat around to kill time and score a couple of runs. However, Akram took up the responsibility single-handedly to take his team to safety and in the company of his team-mates, managed to tire out the Zimbabwe bowlers with a magnificent double century which was laced with 22 fours and 12 huge sixes that took Pakistan to 550.
Akram did not look a tad bit skeptical during his knock, treating spinners and pacers with equal disdain. He stepped out to a spinner for a six which brought up his hundred, which was an indication of what he could produce with the bat. However, his efforts only led to a draw, with Zimbabwe providing some extra resistance in the end and denying Pakistan a well-deserved victory.
#9 Ian Smith - 173 of 136 balls, for New Zealand against India, Auckland, Feb 1990.
Ian Smith is considered one of New Zealand’s finest wicket-keepers to have served the game. Throughout the 63 matches he played for the Black Caps, he managed just two centuries. His first one came against England, an unbeaten 113 in 1983-84, but will be forever remembered for his mind-boggling knock of 173* against India in 1990.
Hardly considered a threat with the bat during that test match, Ian Smith walked into the middle with New Zealand in deep trouble, having lost seven wickets with just 131 on the board. Along with Richard Hadlee, Smith blasted his way around with 23 fours and 3 sixes, wreaking havoc when it was most unexpected leaving the Indian attack devoid of any ideas to counter attack Smith’s batting prowess.
The way Smith carved his innings was the cornerstone towards his success. Initially, he donned the role of the second fiddle to Hadlee. Once Hadlee was sent back, Smith took over the responsibility and sent the Indian bowlers on a leather hunt, especially Atul Wassan. Wrecker-in-chief up to that moment, Atul was belted for 24 runs off a single over which equalled the record for the most runs in a six-ball over.
#10 Walter William Read- 117 of 155 balls, for England against Australia, The Oval, Aug 1884.
Considered a stylish and fluent right-handed batsman, Walter Read holds the record for not only the highest score by a number ten batsman but also the record for being the first number ten batsman to reach three figures. Openly furious about his position in the batting order, Read had a decent average during his playing time, averaging 27.69 from his 18 matches.
With under-arm bowling accepted in the early years, Read was utilised as a slow underarm bowler who could shift to quick overarm bowling as and when the situation called for it. Spending 113 minutes at the crease, Read got to his first test century in 155 balls, with 20 hits to the fence.
#11 Ashton Agar - 98 of 101 balls, for Australia against England, Nottingham, July 2013.
Ashton Charles Agar, a left-handed batsman and left-arm off spinner, made history when he scored a 98* on his debut for Australia against England in the second Ashes test in July 2013. Picked at the back of a string of good performances for Australia ‘A’, the youngster made most of his opportunity to make a mark in his debut test.
Aged 19 years and 269 days, Agar became the youngest player to make his Ashes debut. With Australia reeling at 117-9, Agar walked into a packed house to join Philip Hughes, who was at the other end trying to forge partnerships. With Anderson and co. producing reverse swing which tormented the Australian batting enough, the Australian batting was expected to close out early, handing England a commendable lead.
However, Agar had other ideas. Dominating the partnership with Philip Hughes, he smashed the bowlers to all parts, resurrecting the innings just when the Aussies needed it the most. Although Agar missed the milestone of being the only number 11 to score a hundred by a nerve-wracking 2 run margin, he broke many records such as ‘Youngest to score a half-century on debut’, ‘Highest score by a number eleven batsman’ which still stand to his name, three years after the surreal innings.
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