Flashback: Batters with most centuries in 4th innings of Test
In the domain of Test cricket, where patience and resilience reign supreme, batting in the fourth innings is the ultimate test of a player’s mettle. As the pitch deteriorates over five days, it becomes a haven for bowlers, making run-scoring a formidable challenge. In the face of such adversity, scoring a century stands as a monumental achievement, eliciting admiration from fans and experts alike.
These players stand out for their remarkable prowess in the fourth innings. Their ability to navigate treacherous conditions and deliver when it matters most has earned them widespread acclaim. In the leaflets of cricket history, their names resonate as symbols of determination and skill under pressure. Here are top 2 spots for the most number of centuries in the fourth innings.
2) Sunil Gavaskar, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Ricky Ponting, Graeme Smith – 4
In the echelons of cricketing history, Sunil Gavaskar emerges as a luminary among opening batters, his prowess marked by a string of victories for India. Renowned for his Test match heroics, Gavaskar’s legacy shines particularly bright with his four centuries in the formidable fourth innings, notably his stellar performance against England at The Oval in 1979.
Another stalwart of the crease, Ramnaresh Sarwan, etches his name in West Indies cricket folklore. Known for his nerve under pressure, Sarwan boasts four Test centuries in the gruelling fourth innings, anchoring his team to memorable triumphs. The venerable Australian captain Ricky Ponting amassed over 13,000 runs in his illustrious 168-Test career. With 41 Test centuries to his credit, Ponting’s feat of four centuries in the fourth innings stands as a testament to his unwavering resolve.
Meanwhile, Graeme Smith, South Africa’s indomitable Test captain, epitomises leadership and batting prowess. With a stellar record of 27 centuries across 117 matches, Smith’s four centuries in the fourth innings reflect his ability to thrive in high-pressure situations, securing victories for the Proteas under his astute leadership.
1) Younis Khan, Kane Williamson – 5
Former Pakistan cricket maestro Younis Khan is the pinnacle of Test batting excellence for his nation, boasting five centuries in the demanding fourth innings, a feat unrivalled by his compatriots. Notably, his resolute centuries include three against South Africa, and one each against India and Sri Lanka, with his standout innings against the Proteas in 2015, chasing a daunting 377-run target.
In a parallel feat of cricketing brilliance, New Zealand’s Kane Williamson registered his name in history by becoming the fastest batter to notch 32 Test centuries during the second Test against South Africa in Hamilton on February 16. His masterful century, crafted with precision and poise, saw him equal Younis Khan’s remarkable tally for the most hundreds in the fourth innings of a Test match.
