Test cricket is considered to be the purest form of cricket. Batting in 4th innings is toughest in different conditions. On the subcontinent pitch, bowls turn a lot in 4th innings, and on a few pitches, crack opens up, and batting becomes tough. So, in this article, we will discuss 'Top 10 knocks played in the 4th innings of a test match'.
1. Sunil Gavaskar
Sunil Gavaskar was probably one of the best openers from India. On the home turf of England, Gavaskar played his best-ever knock, smacking 221 runs. In the 4th test, England piled up 334 runs in the 3rd innings, with Geoff Boycott smacking a ton. India had to chase 438 runs in the 4th innings. The way Gavaskar was batting, it looked like an India win, with the score reading 389-4 after his dismissal. However, a collapse meant India failed to chase the target, and the game ended in a draw.
2. Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was probably one of the best players from Australia. On the home turf of England, Ponting played one of his best-ever knocks, smacking 156 runs in the 4th innings. In the 3rd test, England piled up 280 runs in the 3rd innings, with Andrew Strauss smacking a ton. Australia had to chase 423 runs in the 4th innings. Ponting entered on the crease with a score reading 25-1. Playing a captain's knock, he stood on one end and only departed after scoring 156 runs with a score reading 354-9. However, last wicket partnership from Australia ensured that the game ended in a draw.
3. Nathan Astle
Nathan Astle was probably one of the best players from New Zealand. On the home turf, Astle played his best-ever knock, smacking 222 runs. In the 1st test, England piled up 468 runs in the 3rd innings, with Graham Thorpe smacking a double ton. New Zealand had to chase 550 runs in the 4th innings. Astle arrived on the crease with a score reading 119-3. He then played a counter-attacking knock, smacking all bowlers. With a score reaching 333-9, he put together a partnership of 118 runs along with Chris Cairns. His aggressive batting came to an end after he was dismissed by Hoggard.
4. Gordon Greenidge
Gordon Greenidge was probably one of the best openers from England. On the home turf of England, Greenidge played his best-ever knock, smacking 214 runs in the 4th innings. In the 2nd test, England piled up 300 runs in the 3rd innings, with Allan Lamb smacking a ton. West Indies had to chase 342 runs in the 4th innings. He put together a partnership of 287 runs along with Larry Gomes for the 3rd wicket, helping West Indies to win the game with nine wickets.
5. Ben Stokes
Ben Stokes is probably one of the best all-rounders from England. On the home turf, Stokes played his best-ever knock of 135 runs in the 4th innings. In the 3rd test, Australia piled up 246 runs on a tricky pitch, with Labuschagne smacking 80 runs. Before this, England got out on 67 in 2nd innings. England had to chase 359 runs in the 4th innings. Stokes arrived on the crease with a score reading 141-3. With a score reaching 286-9, he put together a partnership of 76 runs along with Jack Leach. He then played a counter-attacking knock, smacking all bowlers, which meant England won the game by a wicket.
6. Kusal Perera
Kusal Perera was probably one of the best young talents from Sri Lanka. On the home turf of South Africa, Perera played his best-ever knock of 153 runs in the 4th innings. In the 1st test, South Africa piled up 259 runs on a tough pitch in 3rd innings, with Plessis smacking 90 runs. Before this, Sri Lanka got out on 191 in 2nd innings. Sri Lanka had to chase 304 runs in the 4th innings. Perera arrived on the crease with a score reading 52-3. With a score reaching 226-9, he put together a partnership of 78 runs along with Vishwa Fernando. He scored 50 percent of team runs, smacking all bowlers, which meant Sri Lanka won the game by a wicket.
7. Rishabh Pant
Rishabh Pant is probably one of the best young talents from India. On the home turf of Australia, Pant played one of his best knock of 89 runs in the 4th innings. In the 4th test, Australia piled up 294 runs on a tough pitch in the 3rd innings, with Smith smacking 55 runs. India had to chase 328 runs in the 4th innings. Pant arrived on the crease with a score reading 167-3. With the cracks of the pitch opening up, Pant played a masterclass, which meant India won the game by three wickets.
8. Mark Butcher
Mark Butcher was a player with a fighting spirit. On the home turf, Butcher played his best-ever knock of 173 runs in the 4th innings. In the 4th test, Australia piled up 447 runs on a road of a pitch in the 1st innings, with Ponting smacking a ton. England had to chase 315 runs in the 4th innings. Butcher arrived on the crease with a score reading 8-1. With the score reaching 33-2, he put together a partnership of 181 runs along with Nasser Hussain. He scored more than 50 percent of team runs, smacking all bowlers, which meant England won the game by six wickets.
9. Kyle Mayers
Kyle Mayers is a promising player from the West Indies. On the home turf of Bangladesh, Mayers played his best-ever knock of 210 runs in the 4th innings. In the 1st test, Bangladesh piled up 430 runs on a turning pitch in the 1st innings, with Mehidy smacking a ton. West Indies had to chase 395 runs in the 4th innings. Mayers arrived on the crease with a score reading 59-3. He put together a partnership of 216 runs along with Nkrumah Bonner. He scored more than 50 percent of team runs, smacking all bowlers, which meant West Indies won the game by three wickets.
10. Brian Lara
Brian Lara was one of the best players from the West Indies. On the home turf, Lara played one of his best knocks of 153 runs in the 4th inning. In the 3rd test, Australia piled up 490 runs on a tricky pitch in the 1st innings, with Mark Waugh smacking a ton. West Indies had to chase 308 runs in the 4th innings. Lara arrived on the crease with a score reading 78-3. With the score reaching 105-5, he put together a partnership of 133 runs along with Jimmy Adams. He scored more than 50 percent of team runs, smacking all bowlers, which meant West Indies won the game by one wicket.
