The England cricket team is unarguably one of the best in any format. The England team has produced some of the greatest cricketers, especially in test cricket. One of the most challenging jobs in test matches is batting in 4th innings, when the pitch become tricky to bat. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Best knocks by England batters in 4th Innings of Test Match'.
1. Mike Atherton
Mike Atherton, nicknamed Athers, was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 1995, Atherton played one of the best knocks of his career against South Africa, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 479 runs, with the score reaching 232-5, Atherton stitched together a 119-run stand with Jack Russell. In his 492-ball knock, where he spent nearly 10 and a half hours, he smashed 29 boundaries, scoring 185 runs. Notably, this game ended in a draw.
2. Derek Randall
Derek Randall, nicknamed Rags, was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 1977, Randall played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 463 runs, with the score reaching 113-2, Randall stitched together a 166-run stand with Dennis Amiss. In his 353-ball knock, where he spent nearly 7 and a half hours, he smashed 21 boundaries, scoring 174 runs. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
3. Jonny Bairstow
Jonny Bairstow, nicknamed Bluey, is one of the best players from England, with more than handy wicketkeeping skills. In the home series of 2022, Bairstow played one of the best knocks of his career against India, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 378 runs, with the score reaching 109-3, Bairstow stitched together a 269-run stand with Joe Root. In his 145-ball knock, where he spent nearly 4 hours, he smashed 15 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 114 runs. Notably, this came in a winning cause.
4. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is one of the best players from England, with more than handy medium-pace bowling. In the home series of 2019, Stokes played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 359 runs, with the score reaching 286-9, Stokes stitched together a 76-run stand with Jack Leach. In his 219-ball knock, where he spent nearly 5 and a half hours, he smashed 11 boundaries and eight gigantic sixes, scoring 135 runs. Notably, this came in a winning cause.
5. Wally Hammond
Wally Hammond was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 1939, Hammond played one of the best knocks of his career against South Africa, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 696 runs, with the score reaching 447-3, Hammond stitched together a 164-run stand with Eddie Paynter. In his knock, where he spent nearly 6 hours, he smashed seven boundaries, scoring 140 runs. Notably, this game ended in a draw.
6. Herbert Sutcliffe
Herbert Sutcliffe was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 1928-29, Sutcliffe played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 332 runs, Sutcliffe stitched together a 105-run stand with Jack Hobbs. In his 462-ball knock, where he spent nearly six and a half hours, he smashed 1ten boundaries, scoring 135 runs. Notably, this came in a winning cause.
7. Graham Gooch
Graham Gooch, nicknamed Goochie, was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the home series of 1993, Gooch played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 512 runs, Gooch stitched together a 73-run stand with Mike Atherton. In his 247-ball knock, where he spent nearly five hours, he smashed 21 boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 133 runs. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
8. Ken Barrington
Ken Barrington was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 1963, Barrington played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 356 runs, with the score reaching 122-4, Barrington stitched together a 101-run stand with Tom Graveney. In his knock, where he spent nearly 4 hours, he smashed 16 boundaries and two gigantic sixes, scoring 132 runs. Notably, this game ended in a draw.
9. Alastair Cook
Alastair Cook was unarguably one of the best players from England with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the away series of 2006, Cook played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 557 runs, with the score reading 0-1, Cook stitched together a 170-run stand with Ian Bell. In his 290-ball knock, where he spent nearly 6 and a half hours, he smashed nine boundaries, scoring 116 runs. Notably, this came in a losing cause.
10. Mark Butcher
Mark Butcher, nicknamed Butch, was one of the best players from England, with more than handy batting at the top of the order. In the home series of 2001, Butcher played one of the best knocks of his career against Australia, smashing a century in 4th innings. Chasing 315 runs, with the score reaching 33-2, Butcher stitched together a 181-run stand with Nasser Hussain. In his 227-ball knock, where he spent nearly 5 hours, he smashed 23 boundaries and a gigantic six, scoring 173 runs. Notably, this came in a winning cause.
