Flashback: The only batsman to be dismissed for 299 in Test cricket

Scoring a Test hundred indeed takes a lot of beating. Nevertheless, there have been several batsmen who overcame these challenges and scored runs for their teams. In the process, they also tend to bring up centuries, double centuries and even triple centuries at times. However, it is seen that majority of the batters get vulnerable when there are approaching a milestone. Owing to the same, batters tend to get out on ‘nervous nineties.’ There also have been many players who have gotten out on 99 and 199 in Test matches.

Dismissed on 299

However, do you know who is the only batsman to be dismissed for 299 in a Test match? He’s none other than former New Zealand captain Martin Crowe. It was a 1991 Test match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka in Wellington. The visitors opted to field first and their decision seemed to be spot-on. Rumesh Ratnayake and Graeme Labrooy made a red-ball talk as the Kiwis were bundled out for 174.

Crowe was New Zealand’s highest run-getter in the innings, scoring 30 off 71 balls. In reply, Sri Lanka put up an exhibition of the high-class batting to dent the home team even further. Aravinda de Silva scored a magnificent 267 as the Lankan Lions posted a mountain of 497 runs, earning a lead of 325 runs.

New Zealand’s defeat just seemed a mere formality. However, Crowe had different plans. Coming to bat at number four, the talismanic batter tackled the new ball with precision and toiled the Lankan bowlers. While Crowe blocked the challenging deliveries with precision, he didn’t miss out on smashing the loose one for boundaries.

He crossed the 100-run mark, the 200-barrier was also breached and a historical 300 was set on the cards. Notably, no Kiwi batter had scored a Test triple hundred before that game. Hence, Crowe would have been the first. However, he could go as far as 299, falling one run short of what would have been a sensational triple ton. Notably, it was a part-time bowler in Arjuna Ranatunga who got the better of Crowe.

The New Zealand star edged the ball and wicket-keeper Hashan Tillakaratne took a safe catch behind the stumps. With this, Crowe’s masterclass came to an end. The first triple Test century for New Zealand was finally recorded in 2014. Brendon McCullum made a mockery of the Indian bowlers and scored 302 in Wellington.