Flashback 2020: Five best batting performances of the year

The number of matches in International cricket this year were lesser compared to the recent decades. However, despite the fewer number of games played, this year did witness some of the exciting matches boosted by top-class performances by the batsmen. Here are the top five individual knocks in International cricket:

Ollie Pope – 135* vs South Africa (Test):

The 4-match Test series between England and South Africa was levelled at 1-1 ahead of the 3rd Test match in Port Elizabeth. Ollie Pope smashed an unbeaten 135-run knock during his 382-minute stay at the crease which included 18 fours and a six. Pope, batting at No.7, put on a 203-run partnership for the 5th wicket with Ben Stokes who scored 120 from 214 balls. England ended up posting a huge total of 499/9 which resulted in an innings win for the visitors.

Shan Masood – 156 vs England (Test):

Pakistan 317 for 9 and Shan Masood 156 against Anderson, Jofra, Broad, Woakes with Duke Ball. One of the best Test innings as an opener for a long time in English soil. #ENGvPAK pic.twitter.com/JpOkP05Vbs

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) August 6, 2020

A lot of focus was on Babar Azam ahead of Pakistan’s tour of England but Shan Masood hogged the limelight in the first game of the 3-match Test series. In the match hosted by Manchester, the opening batsman scored 156 by spending 470 minutes at the crease. He was dismissed as the 9th wicket of Pakistan’s first innings which was extended to 326 runs. Pakistan earned a 107-run lead but ended up losing the match by three wickets.

Rohit Sharma – 119 vs Australia (ODI):

Rohit Sharma scored an important hundred in the series-decider in Bangalore against Australia. Steve Smith’s 131-run knock boosted Australia to finish with 286/9. India had already lost Shikhar Dhawan due to injury forcing Rohit to open along with KL Rahul. The Indian opener showed his class with an aggressive knock as he scored 119 from 128 balls with eight fours and six maximums. India chased down the target with 15 balls and seven wickets to spare.

Kane Williamson – 95 vs India (T20I):

KANE WILLIAMSON TAKE A BOW ?

95 runs
48 balls
8 fours
6 sixes
SR 197.91

One of the great T20 innings! #NZvIND pic.twitter.com/rpEICWfMtf

— Down The Ground (@downthegroundtw) January 29, 2020

New Zealand went into the Hamilton T20I after losing the first two T20Is of the 5-match series against India. In the do-or-die match for New Zealand, Rohit Sharma’s 40-ball 65 helped India to finish with 179/5. In reply, Kane Williamson was the lone man standing in the chase. Williamson took on India’s best bowler Jasprit Bumrah who ended up conceding 45 in his four overs. He 48-ball 95 before getting out in the final over when the Kiwis needed 2 more to win. Unfortunately, Williamson’s knock resulted in a defeat as things turned upside down for the hosts who ended up losing the match in the Super Over.

Ajinkya Rahane – 112 vs Australia (Test):

Odds were stacked against India and Ajinkya Rahane ahead of the Boxing Day Test match at the MCG. India were fresh of registering their lowest total ever (36) and the stand-in skipper was blamed for running out Virat Kohli in the first Test which turned the game into Australia’s favour. Rahane responded with a 112-run knock which helped India to earn a 131-run lead in the first innings. India went on to register an 8-wicket win to square the 4-match Test series.