5 memorable performances in farewell Tests

New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum chose just about the perfect way to bid farewell to international cricket by scoring a blistering world record 54-ball century against Australia in the 2nd Test of the Trans-Tasman series.The Kiwis were struggling at one stage when they were reduced to 74 for 4 in their 1st innings. However, McCullum produced a masterclass in counter-attacking batting on a lively pitch to propel them to 253 for 5 and they ended up with 370 on the board.In the past, Test cricket has seen quite a few instances of players coming up with impressive performances in their final game. Here are 5 of the most memorable ones:

#5 Nasser Hussain

Nasser Hussain ended his career with a match-winning century

Former England skipper Nasser Hussain played a solid hand for his team in his final Test as he scored an unbeaten century in a memorable victory against New Zealand. It was the 1st Test of a 3-match series between the two sides and England needed 282 to win.

With Trescothick and Butcher falling early, the English were in a spot of bother at 35 for 2. However, Hussain came in and stitched together a handy 108-run partnership with Andrew Strauss that took the team to a better position.

After Strauss was dismissed, Nasser Hussain took the mantle of winning the match for England in his hands and scored 103 not out as they won by 7 wickets. It turned out to be a brilliant end for one of England’s finest leaders.

#4 Courtney Walsh

Courtney Walsh exults after helping West Indies win in his final Test

The first bowler to claim 500 Test wickets in cricket history, Courtney Walsh, put up a stellar effort in his farewell Test to push West Indies to victory against South Africa. The Proteas had already secured the 5-match Test series 2-0 and the men from the Caribbean were playing primarily for pride.

Having been dismissed for 225 in their 1st innings, the West Indies rode a special bowling effort by their bowlers including 3 for 31 by Walsh. Good batting in the 2nd innings saw them post a target of 386 for the South Africans to win.

The legendary Courtney Walsh was brilliant in the 2nd innings as well with figures of 3 for 62 as the West Indians delivered a crushing 130-run win over the Proteas.

#3 Andy Sandham

Andy Sandham played his last Test as part of the England team to the West Indies in 1930

One of the early legends of England cricket, Andy Sandham, chose the best way possible to draw curtains on his career by scoring the first ever Test triple century. Sandham achieved this feat in the 4th Test of England’s tour to the West Indies in 1930.

After England chose to bat first, the great England batsman played out 640 balls en route to his 325 and contributed to a massive team total of 849. The timeless Test was drawn by agreement between both teams post 9 days of gruelling cricket.

In his final Test, Andy Sandham ensured that he went down in cricket history as the first triple centurion.

#2 Muttiah Muralitharan

Muttiah Muralitharan gestures after picking up a 5-wicket haul in his last Test

Muttiah Muralitharan made a career out of picking 5 wicket hauls and that is precisely what he did in his final Test as well. In the process, he also became the first bowler in cricketing history to break the 800-wicket barrier.

India were at the receiving end of Murali’s iconic feat in his farewell Test as he helped bundle India out for 276 after Sri Lanka had put a mighty 520 on the board. Apart from his 5 for 63 in India’s 1st innings, the wily off-spinner also picked up 3 wickets in the 2nd essay, ending up with 8 wickets in the match.

Sri Lanka cruised to a 10-wicket victory and gave a perfect ending to Muttiah Muralitharan’s legendary career.

#1 Jacques Kallis

Jacques Kallis acknowledges the crowd after a century in his final Test

It was a fitting end to a fantastic Test career for Jacques Kallis as he scored a memorable century to help the Proteas secure a 10-wicket victory against India at Durban. The visitors had managed to draw the 1st Test of the series and notched up 334 in their 1st innings.

A special effort was needed by at least one of the South African batsmen to help them surpass the Indian total and Kallis was the one who raised his hand up. He came up with yet another patient knock of 115 which led the home side to a total of 500.

A batting collapse for India in their 2nd innings ensured that South Africa easily beat them by 10 wickets. Jacques Kallis etched his name in cricket history by scoring a century in his last Test.