Battle of the Test Innings

[LongHopCassidy]

I'd like to nominate the following:

Damien Martyn, 104, Chennai, 2004
Mike Hussey, 122, Melbourne, 2005
Steve Waugh, 102, Sydney, 2003

Anyone disagree?

 

[marc71178]

Steve Waugh's twin tons on one leg? I think?

 

[LongHopCassidy]

His 108 and 116 at Old Trafford in 1997?

 

[marc71178]

Oh yes, they weren't on one leg, that came in 2001.

He was a damn good battler that bloke.

 

[Jono]

Damien Martyn, 104, Chennai, 2004

Gotta have that one in there. One of the best knocks I've ever seen.

Good to see Tendulkar's 114 at Perth and his 136 at Chennai against Pakistan in the 4th innings. Both two of his best knocks ever.

You know what's an underrated knock? Langer's 191 at Perth aganst Pakistan in 2004/05. Pakistan were in control at 5-78 with Shoaib and Sami bowling fast and accurate. He fought through it, got some runs in a partnership with Gilly and then rescued Australia to a decent total of 381. The Aussie bowlers did the rest.

http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2004-05/PAK_IN_AUS/SCORECARDS/PAK_AUS_T1_16-20DEC2004.html

 

[LongHopCassidy]

One spot left. Anyone?

 

[Burpey]

Have you got Steve Waugh's one off the last ball? Gotta have that if it's not there.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Yep.

 

[FaaipDeOiad]

Mike Hussey, 122, Melbourne, 2005

Can't believe I didn't think of that one myself. Definately an instant classic.

Is Lara's double hundred in Adelaide this year to break the record there?

If it is, what about the first of Hussey's centuries with the tail this summer? Not as good as the Melbourne one, but certainly worthy also.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Hussey it is. We now have 64.

The first battle to commence in about 15 minutes.

 

[Beleg]

Hmm? Cassidy?

 

[dontcloseyoureyes]

You know what's an underrated knock? Langer's 191 at Perth aganst Pakistan in 2004/05. Pakistan were in control at 5-78 with Shoaib and Sami bowling fast and accurate. He fought through it, got some runs in a partnership with Gilly and then rescued Australia to a decent total of 381. The Aussie bowlers did the rest.

He hit one of the best sixes I've ever seen hit off a fast bowler in that match [Akhtar]. He just plonked the front foot and sung through the line, hit it crisp and it landed far into the stand over mid-on. It was beautiful.

 

[LongHopCassidy]

Righto.

The first (wouldn't be a bad last!) battle is:

Don Bradman's 270 against England, MCG, 1936
http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/1930S/1936-37/ENG_IN_AUS/ENG_AUS_T3_01-07JAN1937.html

vs.

VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia, Eden Gardens, 2001
http://aus.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/2000-01/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T2_11-15MAR2001.html

Voting will close at 3:30pm AEST (4:30 AM GMT, while daylight savings are in force here). This is a permanent and inflexible deadline.

 

[marc71178]

Bradman.

 

[Burpey]

VVS Laxman's 281 against Australia, Eden Gardens, 2001

 

[andyc]

I'm gonna have to go with Laxman, because it was more of a 'back-to-the-wall' scenario, and for the fact that I was actually born when it happened

 

[LongHopCassidy]

I'm gonna have to go with Laxman, because it was more of a 'back-to-the-wall' scenario, and for the fact that I was actually born when it happened

In 1936, Australia was 2-0 down in the Ashes and caught on a sticky wicket.

 

[Jamee999]

Laxman.

Can I make a late shout for KPP at The Oval?

 

[Jono]

Why have 2 of the greatest knocks ever battle each other straight away in round 1? It seems a bit silly. Its like having Federer vs. Roddick or Hewitt or Safin etc. in round 1 of the Australian Open. Unless you did it randomly, and if so, you should have done it again

Anyway, I'm voting Laxman's 281. Its meant more to me as a cricket fan, and is the best back to the wall knock I've personally laid witness to.

 

[luckyeddie]

In 1936, Australia was 2-0 down in the Ashes and caught on a sticky wicket.

Bradman for me.

In fairness, Bradman's innings, although quite brilliant, was secondary to probably the shrewdest captaincy the game has ever seen.

Here's what one rubbish cricket writer had to say:

More Bradman brilliance was to follow with the wicket continuing to behave erratically as it dried. In a move calculated to buy time, he sent in tail-enders O'Reilly and Chuck Fleetwood-Smith to open the innings, soon to be followed by Frank Ward. The Don himself went in at seven, and he and Jack Fingleton flayed England all around Melbourne and the home side won by 365 runs to keep the series alive. Bradman's 270 stands out in the scorebook as the reason for Australia's win, but it was the leadership and quick thinking of the man which won the day.