Flashback: The four batters to bat on all five days of a Test in the 21st century
Test cricket is the most distinguished and renowned format in cricketing history. Players grow up dreaming of playing in the longest format and representing their respective countries. Donning the whites gives a special feeling to all the cricketers who play this beautiful sport. In five days of a Test match, it’s the rarest of rare occasions when a player bats on each day of a game. Few cricketers have achieved this feat in the 21st century.
Let’s take a look at the four batters to bat on all five days of a Test match in the 21st century:
1. Andrew Flintoff (2006)
Former England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was the first player to bat on all five days of a Test match in the 21st century. The right-handed batter achieved the feat against India in Mohali in 2006. England batted first and posted 300 on the board with Flintoff scoring 70 off 123. He smashed another half-century in the second innings as he amassed 51 off 106 but his side lost the match by nine wickets.
2. Alviro Petersen (2012)
Former South African player Alviro Petersen became the second batter to bat on all five days of a Test in the 21st century. The right-handed batter achieved the feat against New Zealand in Wellington in 2012. The Proteas batted first and posted 474/9d courtesy of Petersen’s magnificent knock of 156 off 335. He mustered 39 in the second innings with the match ending up in a draw.
3. Cheteshwar Pujara (2017)
India’s Test-match regular Cheteshwar Pujara is the third name on this elite list. The 34-year-old right-handed batter got to the feat against Sri Lanka in Kolkata in the year 2017. Hosts India batted first and got bundled out for just 172 with Pujara scoring 52. He managed to score 22 in the second innings with the clash ending in a draw.
4. Rory Burns (2019)
England’s left-handed opening batter Rory Burns is the fourth and the last name on this chart. The 32-years old player managed to achieve the fiels against arch-rivals Australia in the 2019 Ashes series at home. During the first of the five-match series in Birmingham, Burns scored a brilliant 133 in the first innings as England scored 284. He managed to amass only 11 in the second innings with England losing the encounter by a massive margin of 251 runs.
