In terms of aesthetics, what is the finest test innings you have seen?

[Daemon]

Moeen’s 150 against SL. One of the most pleasing batsmen to watch when on song, which tbf is a bit of a rarity.

 

[Anil]

david gower in full flow was so wonderful to watch, the very definition of languid grace...

 

[shortpitched713]

I would say any Brian Lara innings is great to watch aesthetically. The 153* vs Australia is incredible, due to the situation and circumstance in which it was played more than anything.

 

[Prince EWS]

A bit of a random one - I loved watching Mahela's ton to save this Test at Lords. Looked great for 60 odd first innings as well iirc.

He never made many runs away from home but boy did he look good making them when he did.

Full Scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2006 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

Complete Scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2006, Sri Lanka tour of England only on ESPNcricinfo.com. Find the complete scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Online

www.espncricinfo.com

 

[JBMAC]

ANY innings by David Gower, Peter May, Greg Chappell and Paul Sheehan

 

[Son Of Coco]

Glenn McGrath's 50 at The Gabbatoir.

 

[Uppercut]

Totally uncivilised opinion but I loved the big Sehwag hundreds.

Of current batsmen I’m kind of in awe of how good Babar’s batting looks. Without having seen it I’m assuming whatever his best knock was must be a contender.

 

[shortpitched713]

Totally uncivilised opinion but I loved the big Sehwag hundreds.

The ****'s uncivilized about that? Sehwag was a great opener, and he blasted the damn cover off the ball with his technique. Truly a wonderful batsman to watch.

Sehwag struck me as a less "inhibited", free-swinging version of Tendulkar, although Tendulkar's technique was the more impeccable.

 

[Teja.]

In terms of pure aesthetics, Dravid in swinging conditions was really special. I remember watching KW and Kohli get praised by the comms and here for gritting it out and adapting their techniques to survive in brutal conditions in the WTC and thinking Dravid made facing swing look so trivial and elementary, even in situations like 2011 when he had to carry the batting against a great attack in very bowling friendly conditions. It felt like he could take a nap on the pitch and wake up completely unfazed at the end of the day on 100* (275).

His record in NZ and England was just nuts.

 

[Pothas]

That year or two when Michael Clarke made a double seemingly every test.

 

[trundler]

That year or two when Michael Clarke made a double seemingly every test.

Was looking at peak ICC rankings and somehow that along with Root currently rank below Chanderpaul's highest rating. Odd TSTL.

 

[Adders]

I think we can discount the majority of those mentioned here as they weren't played in Australia..... so can't possibly count. @Shady Slim and @Burgey to confirm.

 

[Burgey]

I think that's probably right for the most part, though I am prepared to count those played in matches involving Australia overseas as well.

 

[Himannv]

A bit of a random one - I loved watching Mahela's ton to save this Test at Lords. Looked great for 60 odd first innings as well iirc.

He never made many runs away from home but boy did he look good making them when he did.

Full Scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2006 - Score Report | ESPNcricinfo.com

Complete Scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test 2006, Sri Lanka tour of England only on ESPNcricinfo.com. Find the complete scorecard of England vs Sri Lanka 1st Test Online

www.espncricinfo.com

I think that one was probably the best Test innings he's ever played, although I don't know if it was as "aesthetically pleasing" as some of his knocks in easier conditions.

 

[nightprowler10]

Saeed Anwar had a good knock in Australia that would make the list I would think.

 

[Prince EWS]

I think that one was probably the best Test innings he's ever played, although I don't know if it was as "aesthetically pleasing" as some of his knocks in easier conditions.

I just find cricket in swinging conditions more aesthetically pleasing in general I think. Watching the ball move sideways and Mahela still punch it down the ground for four was

 

[Line and Length]

David Gower's 136 vs Australia at the WACA in 1986 was a delight to watch. Sheer elegance.

 

[Himannv]

I just find cricket in swinging conditions more aesthetically pleasing in general I think. Watching the ball move sideways and Mahela still punch it down the ground for four was

I feel he's just so great to watch when he's working the spinners into gaps and, obviously, there wasn't much of that in his innings at Lords. I suppose it is still probably an aesthetically pleasing knock for the reasons you said. I do think it's his best ever innings because we were all set to lose that game and he's generally not great at playing swing bowling in conditions like that.

 

[subshakerz]

Saeed Anwar had a good knock in Australia that would make the list I would think.

His tons in England and South Africa were even sweeter IMO. I loved his drives.

 

[Kirkut]

Of current batsmen I’m kind of in awe of how good Babar’s batting looks. Without having seen it I’m assuming whatever his best knock was must be a contender.

Thank me later.

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