The greatest ever Test innings under pressure of the modern era

[gap2]

The reason I list the "modern era" is because games played in the modern era's highlights are easier to find for the innings that are going to be listed in this thread.

Anyway, you want my take on the greatest innings under pressure?

Kamran Akmal. 109 v arch-rivals, India.

The score when Kamran Akmal walks in? 39/6, after Irfan Pathan destroyed Pakistan's top order, taking a hat-trick in what I believe was the first over.

The pitch? Very green. Nearly impossible to bat on.

But not for Kamran Akmal, he was on a mission. A mission to take Pakistan over their lowest test score (54) and then over the 100 mark.

One of the greatest knocks ever, under pressure. The series drawn 0-0, going into the final test. Green pitch. His team in big trouble, at 39/6.

He may have taken Pakistan to only 230 odd, but when Pakistan were looking to be bowled out under 70 odd, it was really a masterclass.

Because of Kamran Akmal, Pakistan recorded their highest test win vs India, and took the series 1-0. Of course, India responded with I believe 221 (?), and Pakistan made a huge 599 on a greenish pitch leaving India with no hope. However, I think on that day where Pakistan made 599, inspiration was given to them by Kamran Akmal, and the way he took his team out of that situation described and gave them the match.

Any other games / innings like this come to mind? One other game that actually does come to mind, is the Pakistan in India game in 2005, in Mohali, as well as one on this recent tour of India (by Pakistan) in 2007 by again, Akmal.

Any other innings like the one described above? These type of innings are very rare in my opinion. Another one like it, is VVS Laxman's 281 in Kolkata. Another innings from nowhere. Another innings that came when his team were down creek with no paddle to go up

 

[Richard]

Not a fan of the term "innings under pressure" because pressure is not some sort of aura or field, it's a feeling in the mind. What might crush some will inspire others to perform even better. Equally what might be routine to some will crush others. Pressure is as much influenced by the player himself as the match situation.

If one means innings' when the odds are stacked against your team as you begin the knock, Laxman's 281 - and Dravid's 180 - at Eden Gardens are utterly impossible to look past. Going back further of course there's Botham's 149* at Headingley. And as mentioned not so long ago, Cairns' 80 at The Oval in 1999, a much lesser-noticed masterpiece of instant match-situation transformation.

 

[stephen]

Hayden, the Oval, 2005.

Ponting, Adelaide, 2006.

Tendulkar. Every innings at home.

Waugh, 200, 1995 (one of the WIndies grounds).

Hussey on debut.

 

[GIMH]

Strauss, Napier 2008
Onions V Saffa, a couple of times, 09-10
Monty & Jimmeh, Cardiff 2009

 

[Dano.85]

Strauss, Napier 2008
Onions V Saffa, a couple of times, 09-10
Monty & Jimmeh, Cardiff 2009

Could also add collingwood at cardiff to that list?

 

[Richard]

Hussey on debut.

Granted he was indeed under tremendous self-inflicted pressure, but I'd hardly say 1 and 29 qualify as tremendous innings'!

 

[Richard]

Monty & Jimmeh, Cardiff 2009

That raises an interesting question, as those were indeed phenomenal innings' in the context of the batting ability of Anderson and Panesar, but by the standards of top-order batsmen they were nothing all that much.

Does an outstanding innings have to be one played in the context of specialist batsmen, or in that of one's own batting ability?

 

[zaremba]

Mark Taylor Edgbaston 1997

 

[wpdavid]

Boycott's comeback 100 at Trent Bridge in 1977, especially after running out Randall. And his 100th 100 at Headingley in the following test.

Don't know if they count as the modern era in CW parlance though.

 

[SaeedAnwar]

lara's 153 has to the best innings in this situation

 

[Jono]

Onions V Saffa, a couple of times, 09-10
Monty & Jimmeh, Cardiff 2009

Yeah, to me 9 down and having to survive to save the match for your team has to be the peak of pressure.

I'd love to say a Sehwag innings, but I honestly don't believe he's capable of feeling pressure. I reckon it's all a piss-take for him

 

[L Trumper]

lara's 153 has to the best innings in this situation

This. And his 213 in the test before is also damn good.
after 5-0 trashing in SA and 51 all out in first test he came back with 213 & 153 * as far as showing as a captain considered, those are the best.

 

[Richard]

I'd love to say a Sehwag innings, but I honestly don't believe he's capable of feeling pressure. I reckon it's all a piss-take for him

Not feeling pressure where so many others would is all part of the Sehwag package - a very important part, in fact, as without it I don't doubt for a second that he'd be anywhere near as good as he is.

 

[Richard]

This. And his 213 in the test before is also damn good.
after 5-0 trashing in SA and 51 all out in first test he came back with 213 & 153 * as far as showing as a captain considered, those are the best.

Hmm, the scrutiny of Lara's captaincy might've been greater, but there's no way in my book that the former innings was anywhere near as good as Gooch's 154* and I'd put the latter a smidgen behind it as well.

 

[zaremba]

Hmm, the scrutiny of Lara's captaincy might've been greater, but there's no way in my book that the former innings was anywhere near as good as Gooch's 154* and I'd put the latter a smidgen behind it as well.

It was 153/154ths as good as Gooch's knock

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Onions V Saffa, a couple of times, 09-10
Monty & Jimmeh, Cardiff 2009

I see these and I raise you Fidel Edwards. Legendary number 11.

This. And his 213 in the test before is also damn good.
after 5-0 trashing in SA and 51 all out in first test he came back with 213 & 153 * as far as showing as a captain considered, those are the best.

Scored a blazing hundred in the following match too, but not to the same game-changing effect. That 153* still my most emotive memory of watching cricket.

 

[stephen]

Granted he was indeed under tremendous self-inflicted pressure, but I'd hardly say 1 and 29 qualify as tremendous innings'!

Right, I think I must have meant in his second test.

 

[Richard]

I see these and I raise you Fidel Edwards. Legendary number 11.

Hmm, the Anderson\MSP partnership and the Onions twin escape-act turned-out to influence their series' though. The Edwards escape-act at Kensington (or wherever it was) in 2006 turned-out to be futile because West Indies lost the series in the last match anyway.

 

[Mr Mxyzptlk]

Hmm, the Anderson\MSP partnership and the Onions twin escape-act turned-out to influence their series' though. The Edwards escape-act at Kensington (or wherever it was) in 2006 turned-out to be futile because West Indies lost the series in the last match anyway.

Umm... I'm talking about Edwards' efforts in the 2009 series against England. You know, the one we won 1-0 as a result.

 

[Richard]

Pah, if England couldn't dismiss a tailender in 20-odd overs they don't deserve to be doing anything other than losing a series.