The term “nervous 90” got popular after many batsmen failed to score a century despite being in their 90s. It often happens when a batter feels under pressure to score a hundred after being so close to one, and it is common for him to be nervous in such situations. If he gets out due to this nervousness, then it is a situation of a “nervous 90s” dismissal. Here are 10 of those unlucky cricketers who became the victims of the “nervous 90s” and failed to score their century for the highest number of times:-
10. Herschelle Gibbs – 11
Herschelle Gibbs, the star South African opener, is ranked tenth. Gibbs, South African cricket team coach and a former cricketer, is one of the players that revolutionized the way South African openers batted in the early innings. Gibbs participated in 361 matches for South Africa, collecting eleven 90+ scores. Herschelle Gibbs concluded his 14-year international career with 35 centuries under his belt.
9. Nathan Astle – 11
Nathan Astle, a former New Zealand opener in one-day internationals and a middle-order batsman in Test cricket, is nine on the list. Astle was one of New Zealand’s top ODI batsmen before he retired. Despite scoring the second-most runs, he had ten more ODI centuries than the following batsman on the list. It would have been considerably more if he hadn’t been dismissed for nervous 90s 11 times. He played 308 games for New Zealand in total, scoring 27 centuries.
8. Matthew Hayden – 11
Mathew Hayden comes in at number eight on the list. The former Australian star cricketer was one of the best openers in cricket history. Hayden was the backbone of Australia's cricket team in all three formats. The powerful batsman played 273 games for Australia, scoring 40 centuries while failing to convert the 90s into centuries 11 times.
7. Kane Williamson – 11
Kane Williamson, one of the most well-known cricketers, is the captain of the New Zealand national cricket team in all three formats. Williamson rose to prominence in his early twenties, dominating ODI and Test cricket. In his international career, the right-handed top-order batsman had amassed 37 centuries and had failed to convert his 90+ scores 11 times.
6. Inzamam-Ul-Haq – 12
Inzamam-ul-Haq, a Pakistani coach and former cricketer, was a leading run-scorer for Pakistan in ODIs and Test cricket. Haq possessed incredible footwork and placing abilities. The dynamic cricketer played 499 matches and hit 35 centuries in his international cricket career. He also missed 12 occasions to convert his 90+ scores into a century.
5. Ricky Ponting - 13
Ponting, a coach, and former Australian player, first represented his country in 1995. Ricky Ponting possessed all of the traits of an Australian - he was tough, combative, outspoken, and, most importantly, mentally strong enough to handle pressure circumstances. Ponting was known for his leadership abilities in addition to his batting. The renowned cricketer played in 560 matches and scored 71 centuries during his career, but he also failed to convert the 90s into centuries 13 times.
4. Jacques Kallis – 13
With 13 "nervous 90s," Jacques Kallis, a former South African cricketer, is placed fourth. Jacques Kallis' accomplishments in all three game formats are astounding, making him perhaps the best all-rounder of all time. He played in 519 games for his country and scored 62 centuries. He was dismissed 13 times due to the "nervous 90s."
3. Rahul Dravid – 14
Rahul Dravid, the renowned former Indian cricket captain. He is known as "the wall" in Test cricket because he was known to take his time and spend long hours on the crease. He was always defensive in his approach to the game and became even more defensive when he reached the 90s. During his career, he had 48 centuries in 509 matches. He also had14 “nervous 90s” dismissals.
2. AB De Villiers – 14
AB de Villiers, without a doubt, is one of the greatest batsmen of all time and is ranked second. He established himself thanks to his wide range of shots and active fielding. He owns the records for the quickest 50, 100, and 150 runs in one-day internationals! During his career, he played 519 games and scored 69 centuries, and missed converting the 90s into centuries 14 times.
1. Sachin Tendulkar – 28
Sachin Tendulkar, the cricketer who popularised the phrase "nervous 90s" because he always used to find a way to give away his wicket in the 90s because of the pressure! In both the ODI and Test formats of the game, the "God of Cricket" is the highest run-scorer and has the most centuries! He is, however, the player who has been dismissed for "nervous 90s" the most times in International Cricket – 28 times!
