Ashwell Prince is a left-hand batsman from South Africa. Born in Port Elizabeth, he has played 66 tests and 52 ODIs for the Proteas. He has scored over 3500 runs in the longest format of the game, including eleven centuries with a highest score of 162*. He mainly played as a middle-order batsman. In this article, we will have a look at the top ten test knocks by Prince.
1. 108* Vs New Zealand
Prince played a brilliant knock of 108 runs against the Kiwis in the second test of the series at Cape Town in April, 2006. Coming out to bat at no. 5, he faced 286 balls and hit 9 boundaries to reach to his three-figure mark. It was a calm and composed innings with a strike-rate of just above 35.
2. 119 Vs Australia
Prince scored another fine century at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January, 2006 in the third test of South Africa’s tour of Australia. He was the highest run-scorer of his side in the first innings, scoring a steady 119-run knock off 271 balls. He hit 13 boundaries in the process and had a relatively low strike-rate of around 43. However, he could not save his team from tasting defeat as they got crushed by the Aussies by 8 wickets.
3. 121 Vs India
Prince’s fifth test century came against the Men in Blue at the Kingsmead, Durban in December, 2006. Coming out to bat at no. 5, Prince scored this fine knock in 212 balls, sending the ball to the rope 16 times. He had a strike-rate of just above 55. His knock proved to be a crucial one, as it helped the hosts take a first innings lead and eventually win the match.
4. 123* Vs West Indies
Another century the left-hander scored at the Kingsmead, Durban was against the West Indies in the third test in January, 2008. After captain Smith scored a fine ton opening the innings, Prince also contributed 123 runs on the board, coming out to bat at no. 5. He had a decent strike-rate of above 60 in this innings, as he faced 196 balls and hit 15 boundaries. The Proteas won the match by an innings and 100 runs and Prince was awarded the Man of the Match award.
5. 131 Vs West Indies
This knock from the left-hander came in 254 balls against the West Indies at Antigua in April, 2005. He struck the ball 13 times to the fence and hit a massive six as well in his innings. He was amongst the four centurions in the African innings, which helped the visitors compile a mammoth total of 588 in their first innings.
6. 138 Vs Pakistan
Prince’s sixth test century came against Pakistan in the first test of the series at Centurion in January, 2007. His 138-run knock came in just 214 balls. He hit 19 fours in this innings and had a strike-rate of just above 60. His ton helped the Proteas go past the 400-run mark in the first innings and eventually win the match by 7 wickets.
7. 139* Vs Zimbabwe
Ashwell Prince’s maiden test century came against Zimbabwe at Centurion in March, 2005. He was the highest scorer of the African innings with a classic knock of 139 runs in 218 balls. He hit 18 boundaries and 2 massive sixes in this innings and also remained unbeaten. Thanks to his brilliant performance, the Proteas posted a huge score of 480 in their first innings and also won the match by an innings and 62 runs.
8. 149 Vs England
Prince played another scintillating innings at Headingley, Leeds when he came out to bat at no. 5 in July, 2008 against a strong English side. He added 149 runs to the scoreboard, facing 284 balls. His innings comprised 17 fours and a couple of sixes. He played a steady knock having a decent strike-rate of just above 50. However, he got dismissed by Pattinson, just one run short of his maiden 150.
9. 150 Vs Australia
Prince’s second test 150 came against the mighty Aussies in the third test at Cape Town in March, 2009. Coming out to open the innings, he scored a classy knock of 150 runs in 249 balls. He had a decent strike-rate of about 60 as he struck 19 boundaries and a couple of sixes. Thanks to his vital knock along with Kallis’ and de Villiers’ centuries, South Africa posted a giant total of 651 runs in their first innings and eventually won the match too.
10. 162* Vs Bangladesh
The knock which ranks first in this list is Prince’s maiden test 150. The unbeaten knock of 162 runs came against Bangladesh at Centurion in November, 2008. He faced 223 balls in this innings and had an impressive strike-rate of above 70. He hit 23 boundaries and a couple of sixes to achieve this feat. This superb knock helped his team emerge victorious in the match and also earned him the Man of the Match award.
