It is a general expectation from every international batsman to make the most of the presented opportunity and score hefty runs in the team’s cause. The effort displayed will put the side in a strong position with respect to winning the encounter and also consolidate the player’s position during future selections. With so many talented cricketers rising up the ranks, it is important for the player to keep his relevance and make the cut ahead of all others. It is these outstanding knocks that would facilitate all of this and prolong the player’s stay at the international level. While many such knocks resulted in a victory for the side, there were some, which couldn’t assist the team in crossing the line and unfortunately ended in a defeat. In the below piece, we look at 5 highest individual scores in Test cricket which ended on the losing side:
1. Brain Lara – 351
The legendary southpaw from the Windies, Lara achieved the feat against Sri Lanka during the third Test at Colombo in 2001. Batting first, Windies scored 390 in their first innings, owing to brilliant knocks of 221(354) by Lara and 69(162) by Sarwan. Vaas was the most effective bowler for the Lankans with figures of 7-120.
In reply, Sri Lanka piled up 627-9 in their first innings on the back of a wonderful double century by Tillakaratne and knocks of 85(166) by Jayasuriya and 87(252) by Samaraweera. The total posted put tremendous pressure on Windies in their second innings, who were bundled out for 262 where Lara top-scored with a great 130(215). Yet again Vaas picked a 7-wicket haul while giving away just 71 runs.
Set a target of only 26, the hosts achieved it by 10 wickets and showcased their prowess in home conditions.
2. Andy Flower – 341
The greatest Zimbabwean batsman to have ever graced the game of cricket, Flower chronicled these knocks against South Africa during the First Test at Harare in 2001. Electing to bat first, the Proteas amassed plenty of runs on the board in the first innings, scoring 600-3 on the back of quality knocks of 220(286) by Kirsten, 157(272) by Kallis, and 147(164) by Gibbs.
In return, Zimbabwe were dismissed for 286 where Flower top-scored with 142(200) and was well-supported by Ebrahim, who scored 71(107). Having gained such a mammoth lead, South Africa enforced the follow-on and restricted Zimbabwe to 391. Flower, this time, went one level up, blasting 199(470) to set the opposition a target of 78.
As anticipated, South Africa completed the chase by 9 wickets with Kallis and Kirsten scoring 42(55) and 31(36) respectively to take them through.
3. Herbert Sutcliffe – 303
An immaculate opening batsman from England, Sutcliffe stroked these knocks against Australia during the 2 nd Test at MCG in 1925. Batting first, Australia scored 600 in their first innings on the back of innings of 138(217) by Richardson and 128(233) by Ponsford. Gilligan was the pick of the bowler for England, who scalped 3-114.
In reply, England managed 479 in their first innings, owing to a superb innings of 176(481) by Sutcliffe and 154(340) by Hobbs. It was a valiant effort from the visitors but, unfortunately, couldn’t stop the hosts from procuring an invaluable first-innings lead.
Batting second, Australia posted 250 and set England a target of 372 to win. Inspite of yet another spellbinding knock of 127(390) by Sutcliffe, England fell short of the target by 81 runs, managing 290 in their second innings. Mailey and Gregory were the chief reasons behind the same, who snapped up 5-92 and 4-87 respectively to get the result in the favour of Australia.
4. Clyde Walcott – 265
A power-packed Windies batsman, who found a way to succeed in difficult conditions, Walcott accomplished the feat against Australia during the 5 th Test at Kingston in 1955. Owing to batting masterclass by Walcott, who smashed 155 and 61 by Worrell, Windies posted 357 in the first innings and put their first positive step forward.
Australia knew they had to make the most of the first innings and did so with aplomb, accumulating 758-8 courtesy scintillating double century by Harvey and as many as 4 centuries from Archer, McDonald, Miller and Benaud.
The deficit was a humongous one and Windies were on the losing side, getting decimated for 319 in the second innings and handing the Australians a victory by an innings and 82 runs. Walcott yet again shined with the bat, plundering 110 while Benaud picked up 3-76 for the visitors.
5. Vijay Hazare – 261
A saviour for India on the most challenging overseas tours, Hazare scored those tons against Australia during the 4th Test at Adelaide in 1948. Electing to bat first, Australia posted a gargantuan total of 674 in the first innings, owing to a fabulous double century from Bradman and knocks of 198(305) by Hassett and 112(281) by Barnes.
India in their first innings, were bowled for 381, who could reach there on the back of blistering innings of 123(284) by Phadkar and 116(303) by Hazare. Johnson picked up 4-64 for the hosts. Australia rightly enforced the follow-on and further dismissed India for a score of 277, winning the contest by an innings and 16 runs. Once again, Hazare stood tall with the bat in hand, mustering 145(372) and giving India a glimmer of hope. Lindwall was the chief destroyer for the Aussies this time around, scalping 7-38 and exerting his undeniable impact.
