Harsh Thakor
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In order of merit this is my list of the best test innings by an overseas batsmen in Australia.I have included knocks of Kerry Packer World series cricket and of Australia v Rest of the world unofficial tests in 1972.
1.Gary Sobers 254 at MCG for rest of the world in 1972 in unofficial test
Strokeplay at it's supreme zenith displaying the domination of an invincible emperor.An epitome of batting perfection.Blended power and technical skill like noone else and averted a crisis.
2.Rohan Kanhai's 115 in unofficial test at Perth in 1972
On the fastest of surfaces with every other star batsmen failing Kanhai took batting to it's ultimate virtuousity.Although hit on the chest by a Lillee bouncer he pounced back like a tiger coming out of an ambush and launched a flurry of drives all around the wicket.Kanhai dispalyed the imagination of a Rembrandt or Michelangelo.
3.Sachin Tendulkar's 114 at Perth in 1992
Looked like a Don Bradman re-incarnated dominating pace bowling on the fastest of wickets with not single technical blemish.One could not hope to witness higher batting perfection which was taken to it's highest watermark
4.Brian Lara's 277 at Sydney
Took batting art to it's supreme zenith displaying a level of domination in the Gary Sobers class.For sheer artistry the best innings ever by a West Indies batsmen down under.
5.Gary Sober's 132 in tied test at Brisbane in 196-61
One of cricket's epics bisecting every region of the cricket field.
6.Rahul Dravid's 233 and 72 at Adelaide in 2003-04
Ressurected India from the grave gain a miraculuos win staging a 303 run partnership with V.V.S.Laxman.Temperament and technique at it's supreme level.
7.Derek Randall's 174 at MCG in 1977 Centenary test
There could hardly have ever been a more entertaining innings on a cricket field or a better innings in a 4th innings run chase.Randall's classic exhibitionship of batting took England to the threshold of achieving a historic victory chasing a staggering total of 463.England fell 45 runs short but Randall won them moral glory.
8.Roy Frederick's 169 at Perth in 1975-76
No overseas opening batsmen ever batted better in Australia .Roy tore the likes of a Lillee and Thomson like a tiger devouring it's prey.On a fast pitch no batsmen has battered great pace bowing more than Fredericks did that day scoring a century of a mere 71 balls.Batted like a bomber destroying an airbase.
9.Kumar Sangakaara 's 192 in Hobart
Got Sri Lanka within touching distance of a record 4th innings target of 507 to win game.Classical strokeplay displaying staggering command .Wrongly given out after creating the equivalent of atotal reversal of plot in the climax of a Hollywood Epic.
10.Walter Hammond's 200 and 32 at Melbourne in 1928-29
His 32 was arguably test cricket's best innings ever on bad wicket displaying the skills of surgeon performing a successful operation on an incurable patient.
11.Len Hutton's 62at Brisbane in 1950-51
Classic batting on bad wet wicket scoring 62 out of a total of 122.
12.Viv Richards 170 in Kerry Packer world series cricket supertest in 1977-78
Took domination to it's highest zenith playing Lillee like a spinner.For sheer extravagance could not be surpassed.
13.Barry Richard's 207 in supertest v Australia in 1977-78
Although an unofficial game Barry displayed batting skill at it's highest zenith blending agression nad technical skill like none of his era.
14. Asad Shafiq's 137 at Brisbane in 2016-2017
Took Pakistan within touching distance of a world record 490 run 4th innings run chase after coming in at around 145-4.A true batting classic although Pakistan lost by 39 runs in the end.Revived a sinking ship to come within a touchig distance of a win like no Pakistan batsmen ever.
15.Viv Richards 76 and 74 at Adelaide in 1979-80
Although no century Viv Blazed away like no batsmen of his era could on difficult bouncy track executing the most glorious and imperious of drives all around the wicket.
16.Sachin Tendulkar's 148 at Sydney
A batting classic technically.
17.Brian Lara's 219 at Melbourne in 2005
Batting domination at it's supreme zenith carrying the torch for a weak batting side.
18.Len Hutton's 156 at Adelaide in 1950-51
High class batting exhibition,scoring 156 out of a total of 272.
19.Asif Iqbals 152 n.o at Brisbane in 1976-77
Glorious strokeplay ressurecting Pakistan from the grave to come within touching distance of a win.Rarely has a batsmen ever batted better with the tail.
20.Sandip Patil's 174 at Adelaide in 1980-81
A classic exhibition of batting counter attack exuding the qualities of a fiery tiger.
21.Aravinda De'Silva's 167 at Brisbane in 1989-90
Supreme batting artistry and technical skills against a great bowling attack.
22.Viv Richard's 208 at Melbourne in 1984-85
Supreme domination.
23.Clive Lloyd's 121 at Adelaide in 1979-80
One of test cricket's best comeback innings executed in glorious style.
24.Asif Iqbal's 120 at Sydney in 1976-77
Made an impact on cricket history as few innings ever have displaying great skill on a green top.
25.Viv Richard's 140 at Brisbane in 1979-80
Total control over the opposing bowling attack making it look like cannon fodder.
1.Gary Sobers 254 at MCG for rest of the world in 1972 in unofficial test
Strokeplay at it's supreme zenith displaying the domination of an invincible emperor.An epitome of batting perfection.Blended power and technical skill like noone else and averted a crisis.
2.Rohan Kanhai's 115 in unofficial test at Perth in 1972
On the fastest of surfaces with every other star batsmen failing Kanhai took batting to it's ultimate virtuousity.Although hit on the chest by a Lillee bouncer he pounced back like a tiger coming out of an ambush and launched a flurry of drives all around the wicket.Kanhai dispalyed the imagination of a Rembrandt or Michelangelo.
3.Sachin Tendulkar's 114 at Perth in 1992
Looked like a Don Bradman re-incarnated dominating pace bowling on the fastest of wickets with not single technical blemish.One could not hope to witness higher batting perfection which was taken to it's highest watermark
4.Brian Lara's 277 at Sydney
Took batting art to it's supreme zenith displaying a level of domination in the Gary Sobers class.For sheer artistry the best innings ever by a West Indies batsmen down under.
5.Gary Sober's 132 in tied test at Brisbane in 196-61
One of cricket's epics bisecting every region of the cricket field.
6.Rahul Dravid's 233 and 72 at Adelaide in 2003-04
Ressurected India from the grave gain a miraculuos win staging a 303 run partnership with V.V.S.Laxman.Temperament and technique at it's supreme level.
7.Derek Randall's 174 at MCG in 1977 Centenary test
There could hardly have ever been a more entertaining innings on a cricket field or a better innings in a 4th innings run chase.Randall's classic exhibitionship of batting took England to the threshold of achieving a historic victory chasing a staggering total of 463.England fell 45 runs short but Randall won them moral glory.
8.Roy Frederick's 169 at Perth in 1975-76
No overseas opening batsmen ever batted better in Australia .Roy tore the likes of a Lillee and Thomson like a tiger devouring it's prey.On a fast pitch no batsmen has battered great pace bowing more than Fredericks did that day scoring a century of a mere 71 balls.Batted like a bomber destroying an airbase.
9.Kumar Sangakaara 's 192 in Hobart
Got Sri Lanka within touching distance of a record 4th innings target of 507 to win game.Classical strokeplay displaying staggering command .Wrongly given out after creating the equivalent of atotal reversal of plot in the climax of a Hollywood Epic.
10.Walter Hammond's 200 and 32 at Melbourne in 1928-29
His 32 was arguably test cricket's best innings ever on bad wicket displaying the skills of surgeon performing a successful operation on an incurable patient.
11.Len Hutton's 62at Brisbane in 1950-51
Classic batting on bad wet wicket scoring 62 out of a total of 122.
12.Viv Richards 170 in Kerry Packer world series cricket supertest in 1977-78
Took domination to it's highest zenith playing Lillee like a spinner.For sheer extravagance could not be surpassed.
13.Barry Richard's 207 in supertest v Australia in 1977-78
Although an unofficial game Barry displayed batting skill at it's highest zenith blending agression nad technical skill like none of his era.
14. Asad Shafiq's 137 at Brisbane in 2016-2017
Took Pakistan within touching distance of a world record 490 run 4th innings run chase after coming in at around 145-4.A true batting classic although Pakistan lost by 39 runs in the end.Revived a sinking ship to come within a touchig distance of a win like no Pakistan batsmen ever.
15.Viv Richards 76 and 74 at Adelaide in 1979-80
Although no century Viv Blazed away like no batsmen of his era could on difficult bouncy track executing the most glorious and imperious of drives all around the wicket.
16.Sachin Tendulkar's 148 at Sydney
A batting classic technically.
17.Brian Lara's 219 at Melbourne in 2005
Batting domination at it's supreme zenith carrying the torch for a weak batting side.
18.Len Hutton's 156 at Adelaide in 1950-51
High class batting exhibition,scoring 156 out of a total of 272.
19.Asif Iqbals 152 n.o at Brisbane in 1976-77
Glorious strokeplay ressurecting Pakistan from the grave to come within touching distance of a win.Rarely has a batsmen ever batted better with the tail.
20.Sandip Patil's 174 at Adelaide in 1980-81
A classic exhibition of batting counter attack exuding the qualities of a fiery tiger.
21.Aravinda De'Silva's 167 at Brisbane in 1989-90
Supreme batting artistry and technical skills against a great bowling attack.
22.Viv Richard's 208 at Melbourne in 1984-85
Supreme domination.
23.Clive Lloyd's 121 at Adelaide in 1979-80
One of test cricket's best comeback innings executed in glorious style.
24.Asif Iqbal's 120 at Sydney in 1976-77
Made an impact on cricket history as few innings ever have displaying great skill on a green top.
25.Viv Richard's 140 at Brisbane in 1979-80
Total control over the opposing bowling attack making it look like cannon fodder.
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