Which of the four innings in a Test match is the most difficult for batsmen?

[Bilal7]

I always used to think that it is the fourth but that only seems to be true on pitches that turn square on days four and five. I would say that the third innings is the most tricky because batsmen not only have to eliminate any deficit that may have accrued but also set a good enough total to win the match, often in conditions that are just as difficult as they would be in the fourth dig.

Plus, that seems to be the innings that causes the most collapses. Both teams score 500 runs each and then with only one more day to go in the match, the team that has to bat third gets caught between seeing out the day for a draw and trying to score quickly to force a win, ultimately collapsing amidst all the confusion.

Of course, on a cloudy English morning or when faced with a green South African lawn, the first innings is the most difficult and getting shot out for a low score first up demoralizes the entire team and is often too great an obstacle to overcome.

Having to bat after seeing the opposing team rack up 600 runs in their first innings does make batting second difficult as well. However, we usually see teams give a good response when faced with this challenge.

What do you think? 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

 

[Navdeep Srivastava]

First inning is more important as you can give your team a great and pressure free start. You can go ahead straight away by making big.
Same for bowlers if you can dismiss team cheaply in first inning that will be a great start.
I am not saying it is most difficult but for me 1st inning is most important for any team.

 

[Ph_11]

4th
1st
2/3

 

[Protea Fan]

4th

Because the pressure is right back on you in most cases

 

[msb314]

I always used to think that it is the fourth but that only seems to be true on pitches that turn square on days four and five. I would say that the third innings is the most tricky because batsmen not only have to eliminate any deficit that may have accrued but also set a good enough total to win the match, often in conditions that are just as difficult as they would be in the fourth dig.

Plus, that seems to be the innings that causes the most collapses. Both teams score 500 runs each and then with only one more day to go in the match, the team that has to bat third gets caught between seeing out the day for a draw and trying to score quickly to force a win, ultimately collapsing amidst all the confusion.

Of course, on a cloudy English morning or when faced with a green South African lawn, the first innings is the most difficult and getting shot out for a low score first up demoralizes the entire team and is often too great an obstacle to overcome.

Having to bat after seeing the opposing team rack up 600 runs in their first innings does make batting second difficult as well. However, we usually see teams give a good response when faced with this challenge.

What do you think? 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th?

On a green mamba - I would sell my soul to avoid batting first. Esp considering the quality of our batsman.

Batting 3rd is not too bad in England, SAF, Australia, NZ since even green tops can flatten out after 1 or 2 days or if there is sufficient sun to bake the pitch. i.e. the 3rd test match for our tour to NZ in 2009/10

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/current/match/423780.html

 

[kingusama92]

Fourth innings.

It's not just the match situation but physical and mental fatigue of three previous innings. You're rarely going into the 4th innings 100% ready to go due to this factor.

Now, add in the match situation, a deteriorating pitch, and an opposition attack that knows it can go all out now with days of rest ahead.

The 1st innings is tough but it doesn't come close to what a 4th innings brings.

 

[Joseph Gomes]

Unless you're playing on dead rubber flat tracks, fourth is the hardest. You're either trying to win, or trying to draw to avoid a loss. Either way both are very difficult. Fourth winnings gives you the match winner and match saver

 

[Bilal7]

Unless you're playing on dead rubber flat tracks, fourth is the hardest. You're either trying to win, or trying to draw to avoid a loss. Either way both are very difficult. Fourth winnings gives you the match winner and match saver

Not really. Test matches are won in the first two innings. Match savers, yes, definitely. But then you have to look at the deliveries faced stat rather than the average.

Fourth innings.

It's not just the match situation but physical and mental fatigue of three previous innings. You're rarely going into the 4th innings 100% ready to go due to this factor.

Now, add in the match situation, a deteriorating pitch, and an opposition attack that knows it can go all out now with days of rest ahead.

The 1st innings is tough but it doesn't come close to what a 4th innings brings.

This is a great point, one that I never really thought about. Everyone probably is very fatigued by the end of day five.

 

[Junaids]

Fourth.

The First doesn't even come close.

Basically any Test match = First Innings v Fourth Innings

 

[Varun]

Third innings when you are trailing would be fairly difficult.