A high score, especially the likes of a century and double century, wins matches for the team. However, in some cases, they can be insufficient, as the opponents also score well. We will now have a look at the highest individual scores in losing cause in tests.
10. Neil Harvey (1953)
This game was a part of the South Africa tour of Australia in 1953. This game was the fifth and final test of the series, with Australia leading 2-1. Australia batted first and scored 520, thanks to Neil Harvey’s double hundred. However, it proved insufficient in the end, as South Africa also scored well in both innings. Australia lost the match by six wickets. Neil Harvey scored 205 runs in this innings.
9. Azhar Ali (2016)
This game was the Boxing Day test of 2016. Pakistan batted first. Azhar Ali was the opening batsman, almost playing a lone hand, with just two half-centuries by other batsmen. He scored a double hundred, and Pakistan scored 443. However, Pakistan faced an innings defeat, as Australia proved to be too powerful in their home conditions. Azhar Ali scored 205 not out in this innings.
8. Paul Collingwood (2006)
England toured Australia for the Ashes series. In the second test, England batted first and posted 551. The leading performer for England in this innings was Paul Collingwood, who scored a double hundred and ensured England posted a significant total. However, as Australia also batted well in their first innings, and England got shot out for just 129 in their second innings, Australia won the match quite comfortably. Paul Collingwood scored 206 runs in this innings.
7. Graeme Pollock (1966)
South Africa had a home match against Australia and yet conceded 542. In reply, South Africa couldn’t do much, as Graeme Pollock played a lone hand, and guided South Africa to 353. South Africa could never catch up to Australia. Graeme Pollock scored 209 runs in this innings.
6. Victor Trumper (1911)
Victor Trumper was considered the best batman of his time, when he was active. This innings was one of his masterclasses, where he put up a magnificent score, in response to South Africa’s 482. He guided Australia to 465. The match was going on relatively equal, and Australia lost the game closely, by 38 runs. Victor Trumper scored 214 not out in this innings.
5. Shakib Al Hasan (2017)
Bangladesh toured New Zealand, and this was the first test of the series. Bangladesh put up a massive total of 595, with some help from Shakib Al Hasan’s double hundred. However, New Zealand managed to bat and bowl exceptionally well for the remainder of the match, and hence Bangladesh lost the game by seven wickets. Shakib Al Hasan scored 217 runs in this innings.
4. Brian Lara (2001)
This match was in away conditions for West Indies against Sri Lanka. They managed to post a decent 390, due to Brian Lara’s double hundred. However, Sri Lanka, then massively outperformed West Indies in all departments for the remainder of the match. West Indies lost the game by ten wickets. Brian Lara scored 221 runs in this innings.
3. Nathan Astle (2002)
New Zealand, as a team, was performing quite poorly in the match, especially letting England pile up the runs, making them set New Zealand, a target of 550. Chasing that, New Zealand was not comfortable, and it never looked like they were winning. However, it looked like, Nathan Astle decided it was a good time to start smashing the ball without care. He scored 220+ in just 168 balls. New Zealand still lost the match by 98 runs. Nathan Astle scored 222 runs in this innings.
2. Brian Lara (2005)
This game was another lone-man act from Lara. His double hundred, which pushed West Indies’ score to 405, was insufficient, as Lara didn’t receive enough support. West Indies lost the match to Australia by seven wickets. Brian Lara scored 226 runs in this innings.
1. Ricky Ponting (2003)
This game was a part of the Border Gavaskar trophy. Batting first, Australia posted 556, due to Ponting’s 240+ score. However, in reply, India also scored 523, and from there on, it was an even contest, with Australia losing the match by four wickets. Ricky Ponting scored 242 runs in this innings.
