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

[Burgey]

Yeah though tbf that wasn't a final. Though I suppose in the sense they had to win within X overs or not go through, it probably could be considered one.

 

[Burgey]

Did anyone mention Michael Vaughan yet in this thread?

Was very pleasing to the eye when in proper flow.

This is a good shout. Terrific player to watch when he got going.

 

[TheJediBrah]

How can any Gilchrist innings be considered "aesthetic"

Is it the ears?

 

[jcas0167]

Martin Crowe and Gower were two elegant stylists. His 188 at the Gabba is good example of Crowe at his best.

 

[Starfighter]

It's just occurred to me how much I watch cricket for bowling not batting. To be honest, not sure I can easily answer this question.

 

[Chubb]

Sangakkara 203 v NZ at Wellington 2015.

 

[Lillian Thomson]

Not his most famous or important innings, but Viv’s 140 odd at Lords in 1980 was sublime, almost a run a ball, but it wasn’t brutal hitting. All grace and timing. I didn’t see all his centuries outside of England, but this was the best in England (though nowhere near biggest).

 

[Xuhaib]

It was a great innings but no innings Younis Khan played can be considered aesthetic.

Not really he would look awkward and sometimes ugly but once he's in for an hour or 90 minutes and has 20-30 on the board would suddenly transform in to a beast with some gorgeous stroke play, his backfoot drives and especially stroke play vs spin would be sublime to the eye

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Chris Martin 12*

 

[Fuller Pilch]

Some of Stephen Fleming's knocks. He underachieved compared to his talent (especially at home - very mediocre stats in NZ), but usually looked pretty elegant when batting.

 

[vicleggie]

Pietersen 158 The Oval

The aesthetic of effectively ending the great Australian dynasty- smashing Warne and Lee out of the park, was something monumental


If you're talking smooth style etc, gotta be one of Laxman's innings- maybe the one in Adelaide 2003

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Walsh 0* (5)

 

[jcas0167]

Some of Stephen Fleming's knocks. He underachieved compared to his talent (especially at home - very mediocre stats in NZ), but usually looked pretty elegant when batting.

Yeah, particularly early on he was likened to Gower. I guess both tall lefthanders with superb timing. I think he tightened up his technique over time and didn't have the big flowing backlift that you see in his 91 against Australia.

 

[h_hurricane]

Walsh 0* (5)

This one ? Absolutely.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

This one ? Absolutely.

This is the one. Inimitable.

 

[Kirkut]

Plenty come to my mind.

I'll go for the underrated one - Ricky Ponting's ton against England in the 2009 Champions Trophy semi finals.

 

[Kirkut]

Babar Azam's 71 vs South Africa.

 

[SillyCowCorner1]

Aren't we talking about 'test' innings?

 

[Kirkut]

Plenty come to my mind.

I'll go for the underrated one - Ricky Ponting's ton against England in the 2009 Champions Trophy semi finals.

YouTube as usual has taken down his full innings and I can only find this footage. Watch from 6:50 onwards, they have not shown all his fours but the few fours he hit in this footage are high class.

 

[Blenkinsop]

Always loved watching Inzamam-ul-Haq bat. Something poetic about a lazy fat bloke carelessly reeling off a string of exquisite cover drives and late cuts before being comedically run out on 100 and something.