Top 3 Test knocks of this decade

In a decade dominated by T20 cricket, we have seen some of the best batting performances in Tests. Several legends of the game bid adieu to Test cricket in this decade while some new legends in the making stamped their authority. The number of Tests that produced a result was higher than any other decade.

The majority of Tests lasted less than five days due to the preparation of result-oriented pitches. Batsmen had to dig in deep to challenge these sorts of pitches. It's never easy to switch from one format of the game to the other within a matter of a few days. That was one of the challenges for the batsmen this decade.

Despite all these challenges, some of the batsmen played brilliant knocks to help their team achieve the desired result. When the chips were down, these batsmen refused to give up.

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#3 Brendon Mccullum 302 vs India, Wellington 2014

McCullum attempts a sweep shot

Having taken a 1-0 lead in the series, New Zealand came into the Wellington Test with a good chance of clinching the series trophy. On a greenish wicket, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to field first.

The decision seemed to be spot on as the Kiwis were bundled out for 192 in the first innings. McCullum struggled in the first innings and fell cheaply for 8 runs to Mohammed Shami. In reply, India posted 438 with Rahane scoring a ton and Dhawan contributing with a handy 98.

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Trailing India by 246 runs, the Kiwi batsmen had their task cut out. They found themselves struggling at 94 for 5 in their second innings with Zaheer Khan rattling the Kiwi top order.

Needing 152 more runs to erase the deficit with just 5 wickets in hand, an innings defeat was on the cards for NZ. But Brendon McCullum had other ideas. He along with wicket-keeper BJ Watling turned the tables around with a mammoth 352 run sixth-wicket partnership.

McCullum started his innings cautiously against the Indian attack and then piled on the agony. Both these batsmen frustrated the Indian bowlers with their patience and strokeplay. Mccullum finally fell for 302 after taking his side to safety.

The Kiwis declared their innings on 680/8, setting India a target of 435 runs with only two sessions left to play on the final day. India could only manage 166 for 3 by the close of play despite a Virat Kohli century. This epic knock of 302 from McCullum helped NZ win the series 1-0.

#2 Kusal Perera 153* vs South Africa, Durban 2019

Kusal Perera

Battling heavy odds, Kusal Perera essayed one of the greatest Test innings by a Sri Lankan at Durban. Being put into bat on a tricky pitch, the proteas were wrapped up for 235 by Lankan bowlers in the first innings. In reply, the SA pacers troubled the Lankan batsmen with their pace and bounce. Sri Lanka were all out for 191 in the first innings despite Kusal Perera scoring a fighting 51. Dale Steyn picked up 4 wickets and lead the SA pace attack.

In the 2nd innings, the proteas scored 259 with a vital contribution of 90 runs from captain Faf du Plessis. From 95 for 4, he took south Africa to 259 along with wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock.

Chasing 304 for an improbable victory, Sri Lanka found themselves at 226 for 9 staring at the inevitable. An injury to Vernon philander had put pressure on the other South African bowlers. The pitch was having an uneven bounce on day 4 and all other Lankan batsmen except Perera struggled against the SA bowlers.

Perera added 78 runs with last man Vishwa Fernando to take Sri Lanka to a miracle victory. His knock of 153* had all the strokes in the book along with some mighty sixes. A win for Sri Lanka was the least expected result till the moment it happened.

This knock from Perera gave the islanders a much-needed morale boost and they later went onto win their first-ever Test series in South Africa.

#1 Ben Stokes 135* vs Australia, Leeds 2019

Ben Stokes

Arguably, this Ben Stokes masterclass has to be the innings of the decade. It was a game England had to win to stay in the series. Joe Root won the toss and had no hesitation in putting Australia to bat first. The Leeds pitch offered early movement to the English bowlers and Australia were bowled out for 179 in the first innings. Jofra Archer picked up six wickets to give England an early advantage.

England too struggled in their first innings and were rolled over for just 67 runs with Josh Hazlewood being the chief tormentor picking up 5 wickets. Australia had the momentum going into the 2nd innings with a lead of 112 runs. Marnus Labuschange held the Australian innings together and scored 80 runs to extend the lead. Australia ended their 2nd innings with 246 onboard to set England a challenging target of 359 runs.

England were 141 for 3 when Ben Stokes arrived at the crease. Stokes was running out of partners and England were staring down the barrel at 286 for 9. He then partnered with 11th man Jack Leach to pull off a stunning win for England. Needing further 73 runs to win with just one wicket in hand, Stokes's rearguard action helped England level the series. Stokes' knock was laced with 11 boundaries and 8 towering sixes. It was his 8th Test hundred and third in The Ashes against Australia.