Top Ten: Hundreds
Aayush Wadu
Posted on: 26 March 2010 - 10:23
Cricket
Cricket as a game that has changed significantly since its infancy with new rules and technology being adopted, the game is evolving each day. More and more runs are being scored and with the introduction of Twenty20, cricket has turned into a batsman’s paradise. Inventions like the Mongoose bat that is being used in this year’s IPL will only make it tougher for the bowlers. Sport.co.uk takes a look at the ten best knocks in modern day cricket….
Herschelle Gibbs-175
Fifth ODI, South Africa v Australia, Johannesburg, 2006
In the fifth and final one day international in Johannesburg, Gibbs proved what a great batsman he is by combining with his captain in chasing down 434, the biggest total ever made in 50 over cricket. His knock of 175 came off 141 deliveries with seven sixes and 21 fours. When he got out in the 32nd over, he had paved the way for Boucher and co. to finish the game and complete one of the greatest run chases in cricket history.
Andrew Strauss-161
Second Test, England v Australia, Lord's, 2009
Australia were very confident leading into the second Test of the Ashes series at the home of cricket, Lord's. However, the England skipper's innings of 161 on the first day played a very significant role in winning his side that Test and ultimately turning the shape of the series.
Kevin Peitersen-158
Fifth Test, England v Australia, Oval, 2005
In the second innings of the last and final test of the ashes ‘KP’ scored a brilliant 158 after being dropped thrice by the Aussies.This innings helped to secure the return of the ashes to England for the first time since the late 1980’s.His innings included seven sixes, breaking Ian Botham's record for the most sixes by an English player in an Ashes innings. Pietersen was named Man of the match for his efforts.
Sachin Tendulkar-103*
First Test, India v England, Chennai, 2009
Of all his 93 tons for India, Sachin rates this ton as his best. His 103 not out on the final day helped India successfully chase the biggest total ever on the subcontinent. Sachin dedicated this ton to terror hit Indians who were still reeling from the loss of the terrorist attacks that brought Mumbai to a standstill. It was Sachin’s first test century in a successful run chase for India.
Ricky Ponting-140*
World Cup final, Australia v India, Johannesburg, 2003
Ponting, captain of the team, paired with Martyn to take the World Cup final away from India in the first innings itself. His unbeaten 140 helped Australia to pile up 359 runs, the second highest score in one days at that time. He smashed eight long sixes, a record in any World Cup final and lifted the trophy later that day.
Yusuf Pathan-100
IPL, Rajasthan Royals v Mumbai Indians, Mumbai, 2010
Shane Warne rated this innings as the best he had ever seen in his life: “I have played cricket for 21 years and seen a lot of cricket. But this is the best innings I have ever seen.”
Yusuf equalled Afridi’s record of scoring a century in 37 balls with eleven consecutive hits to the boundary-6, 6, 6, 6, 4, 4, 6, 4, 4, 4, 4. Even though his team lost the match by 4 runs, he pulled off an innings of a life time.
Chris Gayle-102
Third Test, Australia v West Indies, Perth, 2009
Everybody in Australia had heard of the power and class of Chris Gayle and in Perth they got to witness it.A lot had been written about his level of interest and passion for Test cricket, but the myth was certainly dismissed in Chris’s 72-ball 102 . He plundered the bowlers in a very skilful display of batting to follow-up a great Test hundred in the match before.
Brian Lara-400*
Fourth Test, West Indies v England, Antigua, 2004
Lara reclaimed his world record for the highest individual innings in tests in style at the Antigua scoring an unbeaten 400. Only six months earlier his record of 375 was beaten by Matthew Hayden but this little man from West Indies proved yet again that he was the champion of long innings. He became the first man to break the 400 barrier in Tests and the whole of Antigua came to congratulate him including Prime Minister, Baldwin Spencer.
Saeed Anwar-194
Sixth match, Pakistan v India, Chennai, 1997
Anwar set a new world record, the highest individual score in one day internationals scoring a 146 ball 194 to take his team past the 300 run mark. He smashed five sixes and single handedly took the game away from India. His injury did not deter him from going on and he called for a runner. However, he fell just six short of a double century.
Sachin Tendulkar-200*
Second match, India v South Africa, Gwalior, 2010
It took nearly 40 years of waiting and it was well worth it. Sachin Tendulkar chose one of the better bowling attacks doing the round, to eclipse the record for the highest score, before bringing up the first double-hundred in ODI history. The spectators at the Captain Roop Singh Stadium became the envy of cricket fans as they witnessed one of India’s favourite sporting heroes play a breathtaking innings which not only set up a 153-run annihilation of the Proteas but also a series victory.