Which was the best ever Test innings against spin bowling?

[Harsh Thakor]

In many ways combating great spin bowling or treacherous turning pitches can be more challenging than facing lethal pace.Batsmen often are more reminiscent of surgeons or technicians when facing great spin bowling.Many great batsmen found great spin more taunting to face than lethal pace and turning tack sharder to survive on than fast wickets.

If I had to choose the best innings I have seen on a pitch turning square and against spin bowling then my choice would be Sunil Gavaskar's 96 staging Pakistan at Bangalore in 1998.Gavaskar displayed magical skill like a surgeon almost performing a successful operation on a patient considered incurable.Gavaskar all but ressurected India from the grave bringing India in touching distance of untold glory.It was not entertaining or artistic but was an exhibition of wizardry in defence.The adjustment of footwork negotiating the most unplayable deliveries was a sight to behold.Gavaskar was an epitome of concentration like a Buddhist monk meditating and displayed the resistance of a boulder resisting a gale.I doubt even Don Bradman,Viv Richards or Sachin Tendulkar would equal that effort.Gavaskar proved that even defensive batting had it's aspect of genius.

In the list below I have ranked innings that have either been completely dominated by spin bowlers or where the major part of the domination was aginst great spin just like those of Sachin,Sunny and Lara.Sorry if I missed a great innings ny Inzamam or Saed Anwar but maybe they were not exclusively against spin.



My best innings in order of merit against spin bowling

1.Sunil Gavaskar's 96 at Bangalore v Pakistan in1987


2.Alan Border 's 150 n.o. and 153 v Pakistan in 1980 at Lahore


3.Sachin Tendulkar's 147 n.o v Australia at Madras in 1998


4.Brian Lara's 221 and 130 at Colombo in 2001.


5.Alvin Kalicharan's 124 v India at Bangalore in 1974-75



6.Clive Lloyd's 163 at Bangalore in 1974-75


7.Zaheer Abbas's 235 n.o at Lahore v India in 1978-79


8.Rohan Kanhai's 256 v India at Kolkata in 1959-60


9.Ian Chappell's 99 at kolkata and 138 v India in 1969-70


10.Graeme Hick's 178 at Mumbai in 1992-93

 

[Hitman]

In many ways combating great spin bowling or treacherous turning pitches can be more challenging than facing lethal pace.Batsmen often are more reminiscent of surgeons or technicians when facing great spin bowling.Many great batsmen found great spin more taunting to face than lethal pace and turning tack sharder to survive on than fast wickets.

If I had to choose the best innings I have seen on a pitch turning square and against spin bowling then my choice would be Sunil Gavaskar's 96 staging Pakistan at Bangalore in 1998.Gavaskar displayed magical skill like a surgeon almost performing a successful operation on a patient considered incurable.Gavaskar all but ressurected India from the grave bringing India in touching distance of untold glory.It was not entertaining or artistic but was an exhibition of wizardry in defence.The adjustment of footwork negotiating the most unplayable deliveries was a sight to behold.Gavaskar was an epitome of concentration like a Buddhist monk meditating and displayed the resistance of a boulder resisting a gale.I doubt even Don Bradman,Viv Richards or Sachin Tendulkar would equal that effort.Gavaskar proved that even defensive batting had it's aspect of genius.

In the list below I have ranked innings that have either been completely dominated by spin bowlers or where the major part of the domination was aginst great spin just like those of Sachin,Sunny and Lara.Sorry if I missed a great innings ny Inzamam or Saed Anwar but maybe they were not exclusively against spin.



My best innings in order of merit against spin bowling

1.Sunil Gavaskar's 96 at Bangalore v Pakistan in1987


2.Alan Border 's 150 n.o. and 153 v Pakistan in 1980 at Lahore


3.Sachin Tendulkar's 147 n.o v Australia at Madras in 1998


4.Brian Lara's 221 and 130 at Colombo in 2001.


5.Alvin Kalicharan's 124 v India at Bangalore in 1974-75



6.Clive Lloyd's 163 at Bangalore in 1974-75


7.Zaheer Abbas's 235 n.o at Lahore v India in 1978-79


8.Rohan Kanhai's 256 v India at Kolkata in 1959-60


9.Ian Chappell's 99 at kolkata and 138 v India in 1969-70


10.Graeme Hick's 178 at Mumbai in 1992-93

That's 155 Not Out.

 

[Slog]

its very recent and others may not agree but Steve Smith's third innings 109 to win the Pune test on a rank turner against the #1 and #2 ranked bowlers in the world is right up there for me.

upset of the year for me

 

[Major]

its very recent and others may not agree but Steve Smith's third innings 109 to win the Pune test on a rank turner against the #1 and #2 ranked bowlers in the world is right up there for me.

upset of the year for me

agree.

but the problem is most fans would always think the innings played in the past is great just because those innings are romanticized by writers alot.

 

[Hitman]

Andy Flower was a magnificent player of spin, pure natural talent. One of my all time favorites.

 

[Junaids]

Gavaskar's 96 v Iqbal Qasim and Tauseef Ahmed on a vicious turner at Bangalore - his last Test innings, but the greatest innings ever played in Asia.

 

[Sanzcool]

Since its coming from an Indian poster, very surprised that Damien Martyn's match saving knock of 100 is not there here in MAC, Chennai, 2004 test. That was just an epic knock against a spinner's paradise.

PS: Not to mention, Sehwag played a blinder too in the first innings.

 

[dildildalwalla]

its very recent and others may not agree but Steve Smith's third innings 109 to win the Pune test on a rank turner against the #1 and #2 ranked bowlers in the world is right up there for me.

upset of the year for me

First innings that came to mind. The term "rank turner" was invented for that pitch and when none of the Indian batsmen could stand up to it, SMith got a gritty, at times ugly but always skilful century.

I don't rate Ashwin or Jadeja anywhere near the levels of say, Warne, Muralia, Saqy, Mushy, Swann, Kumble or Ajmal BUT that pitch turned everything in their favour yet Smith pulled it off.

But I think the greatest overall performance by a batsman against spin is Captain Cook's 3 centuries in India, 2012. They all came after he was having a pretty torrid time, had looked clueless against Pak and was going into the series with the axe hanging over his head.

That first century could not save England but it came on a pitch that has started to turn square and Cook saved England from complete annihilation. Bring on the second century, India struggled against Swann and Panesar, with only Pujara playing an innings of note. In steps Cook, against Ashwin, Ohja and Harby...scores century number 2 and sets up England for a MASSIVE away win. Once again, the pitch had been designed for Indian spinners. Badly back fired on them.

Throughout that series, including the 3rd century, almost a double in fact, he nullified the spinners and then when they were tired and on the ropes, he would strike them for sumptuous fours.

So Cook and Smith for me.

 

[Slog]

First innings that came to mind. The term "rank turner" was invented for that pitch and when none of the Indian batsmen could stand up to it, SMith got a gritty, at times ugly but always skilful century.

I don't rate Ashwin or Jadeja anywhere near the levels of say, Warne, Muralia, Saqy, Mushy, Swann, Kumble or Ajmal BUT that pitch turned everything in their favour yet Smith pulled it off.

But I think the greatest overall performance by a batsman against spin is Captain Cook's 3 centuries in India, 2012. They all came after he was having a pretty torrid time, had looked clueless against Pak and was going into the series with the axe hanging over his head.

That first century could not save England but it came on a pitch that has started to turn square and Cook saved England from complete annihilation. Bring on the second century, India struggled against Swann and Panesar, with only Pujara playing an innings of note. In steps Cook, against Ashwin, Ohja and Harby...scores century number 2 and sets up England for a MASSIVE away win. Once again, the pitch had been designed for Indian spinners. Badly back fired on them.

Throughout that series, including the 3rd century, almost a double in fact, he nullified the spinners and then when they were tired and on the ropes, he would strike them for sumptuous fours.

So Cook and Smith for me.

Tbf the England 2012 series wasnt rank turners
they did turn but reasonable and what you would find in india

 

[last_knight]

Sehwag 201 at Galle deserves a spot.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

YK played a few of them.

But yeah Gavaskar's 90-something has to be one of the best ever, anywhere.

 

[aloo paratha]

its very recent and others may not agree but Steve Smith's third innings 109 to win the Pune test on a rank turner against the #1 and #2 ranked bowlers in the world is right up there for me.

upset of the year for me

He got 5 lives...

 

[dildildalwalla]

Tbf the England 2012 series wasnt rank turners
they did turn but reasonable and what you would find in india

Man, those pitches turned quite a bit. Obviously not like the first Aussie test but a level below. The fact that Panesar looked like a giant on those wicket says a lot. Regardless, Cook's innings were special and they got better each time. Admittedly Ashwin was not as good as he is now and Harby was past his best but for someone to come along and grind so many bowlers into teh dust, day in day out, is special.

 

[AFM]

Ahmad Shahzad 70 at Barbados

 

[MMHS]

In many ways combating great spin bowling or treacherous turning pitches can be more challenging than facing lethal pace.Batsmen often are more reminiscent of surgeons or technicians when facing great spin bowling.Many great batsmen found great spin more taunting to face than lethal pace and turning tack sharder to survive on than fast wickets.

If I had to choose the best innings I have seen on a pitch turning square and against spin bowling then my choice would be Sunil Gavaskar's 96 staging Pakistan at Bangalore in 1998.Gavaskar displayed magical skill like a surgeon almost performing a successful operation on a patient considered incurable.Gavaskar all but ressurected India from the grave bringing India in touching distance of untold glory.It was not entertaining or artistic but was an exhibition of wizardry in defence.The adjustment of footwork negotiating the most unplayable deliveries was a sight to behold.Gavaskar was an epitome of concentration like a Buddhist monk meditating and displayed the resistance of a boulder resisting a gale.I doubt even Don Bradman,Viv Richards or Sachin Tendulkar would equal that effort.Gavaskar proved that even defensive batting had it's aspect of genius.

In the list below I have ranked innings that have either been completely dominated by spin bowlers or where the major part of the domination was aginst great spin just like those of Sachin,Sunny and Lara.Sorry if I missed a great innings ny Inzamam or Saed Anwar but maybe they were not exclusively against spin.



My best innings in order of merit against spin bowling

1.Sunil Gavaskar's 96 at Bangalore v Pakistan in1987


2.Alan Border 's 150 n.o. and 153 v Pakistan in 1980 at Lahore


3.Sachin Tendulkar's 147 n.o v Australia at Madras in 1998


4.Brian Lara's 221 and 130 at Colombo in 2001.


5.Alvin Kalicharan's 124 v India at Bangalore in 1974-75



6.Clive Lloyd's 163 at Bangalore in 1974-75


7.Zaheer Abbas's 235 n.o at Lahore v India in 1978-79


8.Rohan Kanhai's 256 v India at Kolkata in 1959-60


9.Ian Chappell's 99 at kolkata and 138 v India in 1969-70


10.Graeme Hick's 178 at Mumbai in 1992-93

No mention of KP's Mumbai innings? Also, I think ST's Chennai innings against PAK was better than the one against Aussies.

These are from recent times, so fair enough. From olden days, one of Hervey's innings must come (forgot which one, probably against SAF).

 

[The_Odd_One]

Faisal Iqbal's 83 against the master himself, Warne, in Colombo 2002

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64001.html

The champion did it again after 4 years on the same ground and this time against the rampaging Murali in the 4th innings to draw a test (Malik also scored a fantastic 148*):

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238216.html

 

[Ab Fan]

KP in Mumbai was more due to conditions than the spin bowling attack.

 

[Monsee]

For someone who watched Gavaskar's 96 on Banglore against us and witnessed couple of plumb decisions not being given including a truly remarkable catcah by Rizwan Uz Zaman, I will not rate the innings that higher.

 

[Bhaijaan]

Tendulkar's 155 (191) vs Aussie, Chennai, 1998

Destroyed Warne on a very decent track for bowling. Will never forget him mercilessly slog sweeping Warne against the spin. Also important to understand the context of the game and the series which was anticipated to be a classic showdown between Warne and Sachin, the two biggest stars in the game then (and now). These were some of the instances which elevated Tendulkar's legendary status and reason why despite somewhat identical averages, genuine followers from the 90s still put Tendulkar at a different level because there isn't really anything the likes of Kallis, Sangakkara, Younis etc have ever really done on field that is even remotely close to stuff Tendulkar/Lara's pulled off in their careers against the premier bowlers and in the manner they did that.

 

[Bhaijaan]

For someone who watched Gavaskar's 96 on Banglore against us and witnessed couple of plumb decisions not being given including a truly remarkable catch by Rizwan Uz Zaman, I will not rate the innings that higher.

Maybe you're right and maybe you aren't. Averaging out opinions though, it still remains a widely respected knock.The kind of career Gavaskar had, really doesn't matter to his status where one puts that knock on a ranking chart. He'd still have quite a few good shouts for those lists.

 

[Haz95]

there isn't really anything the likes of Kallis, Sangakkara, Younis etc have ever really done on field that is even remotely close to stuff Tendulkar/Lara's pulled off in their careers against the premier bowlers and in the manner they did that.

Too right. Nowadays every Tom, Dick and Harry is an ATG. Being way ahead of your peers is one thing but being way ahead of your peers while dominating ATG bowlers makes you an ATG. To be considered an ATG one must make a case for being in an all time (Test) XI. No one currently but Smith is capable (and Steyn).

 

[SL_Fan]

Tendulkar's 155 (191) vs Aussie, Chennai, 1998

Destroyed Warne on a very decent track for bowling. Will never forget him mercilessly slog sweeping Warne against the spin. Also important to understand the context of the game and the series which was anticipated to be a classic showdown between Warne and Sachin, the two biggest stars in the game then (and now). These were some of the instances which elevated Tendulkar's legendary status and reason why despite somewhat identical averages, genuine followers from the 90s still put Tendulkar at a different level because there isn't really anything the likes of Kallis, Sangakkara, Younis etc have ever really done on field that is even remotely close to stuff Tendulkar/Lara's pulled off in their careers against the premier bowlers and in the manner they did that.

That was on a tampered pitch wasn't it and McGrath was out injured as well that series.

MA Chidambaram pitch for 1998 Test doctored to rule out Shane Warne's threat against Sachin Tendulkar: Curator

The curator at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram Stadium, K Parthasarathy, revealed on Wednesday that the pitch for the 1998 Test match between India and Australia was prepared in a way to rule out Shane Warne’s threat* from around the wicket to Sachin Tendulkar.

The Indian batting star slammed 155 in the second innings of the Chennai Test in 1998 to help his side thrash the Australians by a huge margin in the series opener.

Parthasarathy told Indian Express, “I kept the square patches outside the leg stump, on either side of the wicket, really hard. It was difficult to get turn from that part as there would be no rough there.”

“After that game, Warne came to me and asked why he wasn’t getting the turn and others were. I told him it was because of his dodgy shoulder that was to be operated on later in the series,” he added.

 

[SL_Fan]

From what I've seen I'll go for Sehwag's double ton against Murali, Mendis and Vassy at Galle in 08.

201* (231) plus hit a run-a-ball 50 in the second innings as well

 

[Bhaijaan]

That was on a tampered pitch wasn't it and McGrath was out injured as well that series.

MA Chidambaram pitch for 1998 Test doctored to rule out Shane Warne's threat against Sachin Tendulkar: Curator

I used the word decent for the track which is what it was. One can't be sure of the motivation and intentions of the curator for revealing that information but from what we saw it was a typical subcontinental track. If not a rank turner, it was certainly not a flat road either. From cricketing POV, it was a fair surface and having seen all the cricket over the years i would really like to know what was ever a good enough surface for Shane Warne to get turn and trouble batsmen? He was lethal literally everywhere and Tendulkar had his number.

 

[Monsee]

Two knocks were questioned due to the circumstances around them, same poster had to come in and defend them ...rest I leave for everyone else's imagination!

 

[Buffet]

Sehwag in Galle...

 

[Justcrazy]

Gavaskar's 96 v Iqbal Qasim and Tauseef Ahmed on a vicious turner at Bangalore - his last Test innings, but the greatest innings ever played in Asia.

I agree, also the context of the game was important , last innings by gavaskar , almost won the game. Absolute mine field.

Next highest score was 50 by vengsarkar

 

[Justcrazy]

Faisal Iqbal's 83 against the master himself, Warne, in Colombo 2002

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64001.html

The champion did it again after 4 years on the same ground and this time against the rampaging Murali in the 4th innings to draw a test (Malik also scored a fantastic 148*):

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/238216.html

The second link is a game in which one day was washed , it was like batting on fourth day pitch rather than final day.

 

[Sachin136]

its very recent and others may not agree but Steve Smith's third innings 109 to win the Pune test on a rank turner against the #1 and #2 ranked bowlers in the world is right up there for me.

upset of the year for me

He gave 6 chances, which makes it much less impressive. Of course, the onus is on the other team to take those chances, but I'm just talking about the quality of the innings.