Test cricket is a game of guts. It is what separates boys from men. One could have a single heroic moment in one’s life and it would be enough to give them all the respect they could get. In this article, we look at 4 test innings that were scored under the most difficult personal circumstances. These innings made these players eternal in the memories of cricket lovers.
These innings are in no specific order.
1. Steve Waugh- 157 v/s England, Oval 2001
If there ever was a tough cricketer, a fighter, surely it would be Steve Waugh. Australia were 3-0 up in the Ashes and already won it after a long time on English soil. Waugh injured his calf in the third Test at Trent Bridge which forced him to warm the benches for the fourth Test at Headingley. This match is remembered for Mark Butcher’s remarkable effort to pull out a victory from the jaws of defeat for England. And so, Waugh was desperate to make a comeback in the fifth test at The Oval. However, he could hardly run before the match started and spent a lot of time with the physio Errol Alcott to help his chances of playing.
He hobbled as he took his first single and the innings were characterized by pain and struggle much of which he did not reflect. He went on to make 157 and inspire his team to victory. He was left sprawling for the crease for his hundredth run.
He did develop a blood clot and had to undergo a prolonged treatment back home. However, he managed to give everyone a glimpse of his character and gave an important lesson to every player and especially captains that no match is a dead rubber; even if you have won the series, you got to come out with the same passion no matter what. And which English or Australian cricketer needs extra motivation when it’s the Ashes?
2. Sachin Tendulkar- 136 v/s Pakistan, Chennai 1999
The first test match between India and Pakistan for 9 years and a packed MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai- it was a perfect setting for the biggest rivalry in cricket to start a new chapter. This match is known for a classic finish and regarded as one of the best test matches between the two nations.
India had a slender lead of 16 before Pakistan came back with a strong reply in the third innings setting India a target of 271. It was a challenge given the quality of attack that Pakistan had in that era. India stumbled to 82-5 and Sachin Tendulkar was out there battling a bad back. The pain was evident in that innings but Tendulkar refused to give in.
If we close our eyes and look back at Sachin of the 90s, we will realize how aggressive he used to be. He always looked to take the attacking option. He looked to take the attacking option in that innings too, using his feet to tackle the spinners on a turner.
He found a partner in Nayan Mongia and the duo whittled down the target to only 17. Nayan Mongia was dismissed by Wasim Akram and Tendulkar fell to the tactic that was working well for him - attacking the spinners. He was caught at the boundary and what followed for the Indian fans was heartbreak. India was so close yet so far.
The match made one thing very clear - India of the 90s relied heavily on Tendulkar, his wicket was gold for the opposition. He perhaps knew this and therefore, gave his best shot even with an adverse back.
3. Colin Cowdrey 19* v/s West Indies, 1963
This innings from one of the greats of English cricket was not a big one but a highly regarded one in the history of the game. England needed 234 to win in the fourth innings. West Indies fast bowlers Wess Hall and Charlie Griffith were being deadly. Hall smashed Cowdrey’s arm late on the fourth day, fracturing it.
However, Cowdery was as valiant as anyone could have ever imagined. The picture of him strolling on the Lord’s ground on the final day with a plaster on his left hand, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd is still very iconic. England lost 9 wickets and needed 6 runs to win on the last 2 balls of the match. That’s when Cowdery came out but he was on the non-striker’s end. Clearly, he could not have hit a six with one hand so England decided to draw. David Allen managed to block the last two balls to secure a thrilling draw for England.
This test match glorified a draw and told people that you don’t always have to go for the win to become a hero for your country.
4. Dean Jones 210 v/s India, Madras 1986
To survive the heat and humidity of Madras is one thing, but for an Australian to survive it and that too for 5 days requires some character. Who better than Dean Jones to know this who lost 8 kilos owing to his masterful 210 at Madras in September 1986.
He was going well until he scored his hundred. But later he began to really struggle with dehydration. He was vomiting, urinating involuntarily and really hobbling in the middle. He could not go down to sweep. His entire body ached and he had to be rushed to the hospital after that innings. He batted again in that match but that match had more drama to it.
It had an eventful finish and it ended in a tie. Australia were due to win it but India came back strongly in that match to secure a tie.
Captains tend to forget good innings if they could not win the team the match. However, Allan Border still talks highly of this innings and so does Dean Jones. It tells you how heroic that effort was from Dean Jones.
