Test Cricket is a game of patience, resilience and courage. The longer you stay out there, the more rewarding each run gets. Test cricket has seen some players playing marathon knocks, just not giving up at any juncture of their innings. We try to salute those innings by looking at the highest individual score at each batting position in test cricket.
Matthew Hayden - 380, Aus v/s Zim, 2003:
Mathew Hayden used to send fear down the spine of bowlers. He was attacking and when he stayed out there for longer intervals, he inflicted some serious damage on the opposition. He turned out to be an absolute nightmare for Zimbabwe during their tour of Australia in 2003. On a flat deck at the SCG, he plundered the Zimbabwe attack to all parts, scoring 380. He made the record for the highest individual score in tests which was soon overtaken by Brian Lara.
Len Hutton - 364 not out, Eng v/s Aus, 1938:
England presented an absolutely dull pitch at the Oval to the Aussies in the Ashes, 1938. A young Len Hutton who would go on to become one of the stalwarts of English cricket gave an early glimpse of his concentration and grit. His marathon knock glittered with 35 boundaries helped England reach a score of 903 which was a world record at that time.
Brian Lara - 400 not out, WI v/s Eng, 2004:
The prince of Trinidad, believed to be the greatest test batsmen of the modern era, Brian Lara, holds the record for the highest individual score in the history of test cricket. His highest score of 375 was soon overtaken by Hayden’s 380. He did not delay in achieving this record once again as he smashed the English attack to all parts, scoring a glorious 400. The good thing about his innings was the fact he took a mere 582 balls, thereby, allowing the game to move forward even as the West Indies smashed 751 runs.
Mahela Jayawardena - 374, SL v/s SA, 2006:
Jayawardena, one of the greatest batsmen of all time holds the record for the highest individual score at number 4, highest test score by a Sri Lankan, and the highest test score by an Asian captain. He made all these records in his sensational knock of 374 against South Africa as he and his good friend Kumar Sangakarra showed the South Africans what misery looks like.
Michael Clarke - 329 not out, Aus v/s Ind, 2012:
2012-13 was arguably the greatest season of Michael Clarke’s cricketing career. He was scoring runs for fun. The Australian captain scored an eye-catching as well as dominating 329 off just 468 balls on a belter at the SCG. He smashed 39 fours during the process to complete the highest individual score at number 5 in tests which allowed Australia to complete a 4-0 whitewash over India.
Ben Stokes - 258, Eng v/s SA, 2016:
England’s current star all-rounder Ben stokes showed the world a whole package of his destructive batting prowess on a flat deck at Centurion in 2016. He plundered an attack as good as Steyn, Philander and Morkel and smashed 258 of just 196 balls. This still remains the second-fastest double century of all time in tests.
Don Bradman - 270, Aus v/s Eng, 1937:
The greatest to ever hold a cricket bat, Sir Don Bradman showed his rivals why he was indeed the best. On a tough MCG pitch, he saved himself for the last and came to bat at number 7. On such a tricky pitch, he put up a batting masterclass to rack up a score of 270, the highest individual score at number 7.
Wasim Akram - 258, Pak v/s Zim, 1996:
Given how great a bowler Akram was, we often neglect his batting skills which were more than handy. To score a double ton at number 8 was unimaginable but he achieved it against Zimbabwe on a flat pitch at SheikhPura ground. He took a struggling Pakistan from 183-6 to almost 500. He smashed 12 sixes which is the record for most sixes in individual test innings.
Ian Smith - 173, NZ v/s Ind, 1990:
New Zealand’s star commentator and a former keeper, Ian Smith was not renowned for his batting. But he proved that he was more than capable with the bat. New Zealand were struggling at 131-7 as Smith played a quickfire knock of 173 and forged a large partnership with Sir Richard Hadlee to take the Kiwis to 391.
Walter William Reed - 117, Eng v/s Aus, 1884:
England’s stylish batsman Walter Reed remains the only player to score a Test ton at number 10. He achieved this feat way back in 1884 against the arch-rivals Australia. He piled on the misery as the tail wagged. He took just 155 balls for his scintillating 117.
Ashton Agar - 98, Aus v/s Eng, 2013:
Agar’s batting ability was unknown as he batted number 11 in the 2013 Ashes. However, he declared himself on the big stage when Australia was reeling at 117-9. He forged a massive partnership with Philip Hughes as he missed his century by just 2 runs. He, however, did become the youngest to score a Test half-century on debut.
