Nervous 290s: 7 times a batsman missed the 300-run mark while in the 290s 

Nervous 90s is a common phenomenon in the world of cricket. Being in the 90s - just a few runs away from a 100 - is a challenging period which often takes a toll on the batsman's focus, thus resulting in a moment of error.

Many label the act of getting out in the 90s as unlucky, simply because the batsman misses out on a glorious opportunity to raise his bat in celebration by just a few runs.

But there is another phenomenon in the world of cricket known as "nervous 290s", which is not as common. Only a handful of batsmen have been victims of this, and it is fair to say that missing out on the magical 300-run mark is even more disappointing than falling short of a century.

Not many men have had the opportunity to score a triple-century in Test cricket, simply because a performance like that happens just once in a blue moon.

Here, we list the seven occasions when a batsman missed the 300-run mark while in the 290s:

#7 Ross Taylor vs Australia, 2015 - 290

Ross Taylor

Back in 2015, New Zealand went to Australia for a three-match Test series. The Aussies won the first match pretty comfortably, thrashing their arch-rivals by 208 runs, to take the lead in the series.

The hosts carried their impressive form to the second Test as well as they registered a formidable total of 559/9 to put New Zealand under pressure. The Kiwis had their backs against the wall and looked set for another defeat at the hands of their fierce opponents.

With both openers failing to deliver, Ross Taylor stepped up to play one of the finest innings ever by a visiting batsman on Australian soil. He took charge and forged a commendable partnership with Kane Williamson to help New Zealand get back into the match.

Taylor smashed a total of 43 fours in his historic knock of 290 as he hit the Australian bowlers all around the park. His phenomenal innings meant that the series was still alive.

Taylor's masterful knock fell short of the monumental 300-run mark by just 10 runs as he fell prey to Nathon Lyon's trickery while on 290.

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#6 Ramnaresh Sarwan vs England, 2009 - 291

Ramnaresh Sarwan

History suggests that West Indian batsmen relish the opportunity of playing against England. From Brian Lara to Sir Vivian Richards, quite a few Caribbean legends have tormented the English bowlers in the past.

One such instance happened in 2009 when England battled West Indies in the 4th Test of the five-match Test series.

The English side batted first and hammered the West Indies bowling unit as they registered a total of 600/6 on board. English fans were optimistic of their side's chances of leveling the series, but little did they know that a certain Ramnaresh Sarwan was waiting at the back, determined to spoil the English party.

Sarwan played a gritty yet classy knock of 291 to deny England any chance of winning the match. He helped West Indies put up a total of 749-9, and was applauded by each and every fan sitting at the Kensington Oval.

Sarwan fell short of 300 by just 9 runs in the run-fest at Barbados, as the two teams together scored a total of 1628 runs across the five-day Test match.

#5 Viv Richards vs England, 1976 - 291

Viv Richards

In 121 Tests, Sir Vivian Richards scored 8540 runs at an awe-inspiring average of 50.24. Often considered one of the greatest batsmen of all time, the majestic West Indian revolutionized the game of cricket with his aggressive style of batting.

Numerous legends of the game have labelled Richards as a 'pure gem' of the sport for his massive contributions to cricket. While witnessing his masterful batting as a spectator was an utter delight, it was a complete nightmare for the opposition bowlers.

In 1976 Richards tormented the English bowlers at the Kennington Oval by registering his career-best score of 291. His sensational knock helped West Indies put on a total of 687-8, which helped the visitors inflict a devastating loss upon England.

When Richards was dismissed, the whole stadium stood up on their feet to salute his greatness. West Indies won the 5-match Test series 3-0 courtesy of Richards' masterclass with the bat.

#4 Virender Sehwag vs Sri Lanka, 2009 - 293

Virender Sehwag

Virender Sehwag was undoubtedly one of the most dynamic openers in the history of the game. His greatest strength was his ability to take the game away from the opposition in just a session or two.

A greatly impactful player who helped propel India to the top of the ICC Test Rankings, the mighty Sehwag played quite a few incredible knocks in his day.

In 2009, he very nearly became the first man to ever score three 300s in Test Cricket as he battered the Sri Lankan bowlers on a hot day in Mumbai. The Nawab of Najafgarh was at his phenomenal best as he scored a monumental total of 293 runs off just 254 balls to inflict all sorts of troubles upon the touring Sri Lanka.

Sehwag's aggressive playing style kept the fans glued to their seats as he set the stage on fire with his flamboyance and genius.

India won the match by an innings and 24 runs and Sehwag was deservingly named the Man Of The Match.

#3 Alastair Cook vs India, 2011 - 294

Alastair Cook

Alastair Cook is undoubtedly one of the greatest batsmen of all time. His on-field feats have earned him a plethora of laurels, including a knighthood. Cook left the cricketing fraternity in awe of his sheer brilliance on numerous occasions, as the elegant left-hander amassed a total of 12,472 Test runs in his illustrious career.

Of those 12,472 runs, 294 came in 2011 when Cook registered his highest individual score by mauling the Indian bowling attack at Edgbaston. His partnership at the top with Andrew Strauss planted the seeds for a gigantic total as the hosts ended their first innings at the score of 710/7.

The only sad part of this marvelous innings was the fact that Cook missed out on a triple-century by just six runs.

Cook was deservingly named the Man Of The Match as England defeated India by an innings and 242 runs.

#2 Martin Crowe vs Sri Lanka, 1991 - 299

Martin Crowe

Many great batsmen have come from the beautiful country of New Zealand, a place where cricket stadiums are relatively small, the weather is unpredictable and rugby is a religion. One such batsman was the legendary Martin Crowe, the man who many consider as one of the most technically sound Kiwi batsmen of all time.

The former Kiwi skipper produced his greatest Test knock against Sri Lanka at Basin Reserve, Wellington as he scored a career-best 299 and saved the match for New Zealand.

The hosts were in a hole as Sri Lanka had dismissed them for just 197 in the first innings before scoring a monumental total of 497 to take a giant lead. The match looked heavily tilted in Sri Lanka's favour, but the ever-reliable Crowe produced a truly special innings to deny the Lankan lions victory.

Arjuna Ranatunga dismissed Crowe for 299 as the mercurial Kiwi skipper missed the magical 300-run mark by just 1 run.

#1 Sir Don Bradman vs South Africa, 1932 - 299*

Don Bradman

Has the world ever seen anyone as prolific as Sir Donald Bradman? The legendary Australian needs no introduction; whenever the topic of "greatest batsmen of all time" arises, there is a special place reserved for Bradman at the top.

His numbers are beyond belief, and the ones who've seen him play feel blessed. Bradman scored two 300s in his illustrious career and very nearly scored a third in 1932 when Australia squared off against South Africa in Adelaide.

The home side were all over their opponents, who had no idea how to stop Bradman. The legendary batsman unluckily missed out on the 300-run mark as the rest of the team folded while he stood in the middle as the lone warrior and finished the match with an unbeaten score of 299*.

This remains the only instance till date when a batsman finished his innings at 299*.