While all the three formats at the international circuit hold paramount importance, stellar performances displayed at the Test arena never go unnoticed and are indeed counted as gems in the cricketing career of a player. One who manages to dominate all the formats alike is bound to spend a larger amount of time at the highest level, performing the highly desirable national duty. It is natural for them to face failure at some point in their career, for no player can perform the same way throughout his journey. There can be injury issues, off-field controversies, and many other factors that can hamper the progress and growth of a player and may very well cut-short his blossoming international career.
we look at 5 such players, who scored a century and picked fifer in the same Test, leaving us speechless witnessing the supreme act:
1. Ravichandran Ashwin
The rare feat for Ashwin came during the 1st Test held at Antigua on the 2016 tour of the West Indies. India, who batted first posted a mammoth 566-8 on the back of a Kohli double century and Ashwin’s 113.
Unfortunately, the Windies could not get any close to the total in both the innings, being skittled out for 243 and 231 in the first and second innings respectively, handing India a win by an innings and 92 runs. Ashwin was the pick of the bowler during the second stint, finishing with figures of 7-83. The third instance came against England at Chennai on a very tough wicket. The Tamil Nadu spinner took a 5-wicket haul in the first innings and scored a brilliant century in the second innings.
2. Sir Ian Botham
Arguably the best all-rounder the world had ever seen, Botham achieved the feat during the 3rd Test of the 1981 Ashes series held in England. Australia, who won the toss, chose to bat first and posted a convincing total of 401 on the board in the first innings where John Dyson scored 102 and Botham scalped 6-95 for the hosts.
In reply, England were dismissed for just 174 and had no other option but to bat again with the follow-on enforced by Australia. The hosts batted with authority this time around posting 356, owing to an aggressive knock of 149 by Botham which indeed paved way to an unforeseen win for England by mere 18 runs during the fourth innings.
3. Roston Chase
Windies first-choice spin option and current vice-captain, Chase achieved the landmark during 2nd Test of India’s tour of the Windies in 2016. The hosts who batted first posted just 196 and squandered the opportunity that they had got. In reply, India piled up 500 runs and the Windies had to satisfy with a maiden fifer for Chase, who picked 5-121.
The confidence thus procured did wonders for Chase yet again but this time with the bat, who struck a solid 137 to propel the Windies to 388-6 and drew the game for his side.
5. Jacques Kallis
One of the legends of South African cricket, Kallis accomplished the auspicious feat during the 4th Test of West Indies tour of South Africa in 1999. The hosts who batted first posted a challenging 406-8 on the board, owing to a well-made 168 by Cullinan and 110 by Kallis. In response, the Windies could only manage 212, owing to Hooper’s 86 while Kallis grabbed 2 wickets for Africa.
In pursuit of setting a suitable target, South Africa scored 226-7 in their second innings and the latter dismantled the visitors for 271, earning a victory by 149 runs. Kallis shined with the bat and bowl in the second innings, scoring 88 and scalping 5-90 respectively.
5. Imran Khan
The current Prime Minister of Pakistan and their greatest all-rounder till date, Khan chronicled the feat during the 3rd Test of India’s tour of Pakistan in 1982-83. The visitors, who were put into bat scored 372 courtesy Patil’s 84 while Khan was the pick of the bowler with 6-98.
In reply, Pakistan conjured a mighty 652 runs with as many as 4 centurians coming to the party, including Khan’s 117. It was but natural for India to feel the pinch, who could only manage 286 in their second innings and set a target of just 7 for Pakistan, who later achieved it with aplomb.
