Harsh Thakor
First Class Star
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2012
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In this list I am ranking in order of merit the best innings played by a left-hander against great pace bowling.I did not include Brian Lara's monumental 153 not out v Australia at Bridgetown in 1999 as it was scored against great fast-medium and spin and not all-out pace.
1.Roy Frederick's 169 at Perth in 1975-76
resembled a bomber raiding an airbase making Lillee and Thomson looking like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse.On the fastest pitch treated the quickest paceman of all time with disdain rarely ever seen.Difficult for a Viv richards or Sachin Tendulkar to surpass it.
2.Wasim Raja's 117 n.o and 71 at Bridgetown in 1977
Enabled his team to stave off certain defeat,ressurecting them from the grave with a 133 run last wicket partnership with Wasim Bari to come within the brink of a famous victory.reminiscent of dramatic change of pot in a Hollywood epic .Wasim displayed grit at it's highest zenith against the likes of Garner,Croft and Roberts.One of the greatest innings ever in a crisis.
3.Alan Border's 98 and 100 not out at Trinidad in 1984
Epitome of grit and defiance in sport, reminiscent of a soldier fighting battle against all odds.Rarely have 2 innings so much ressurected a team from the grave or reverted a sinking ship,particularly in the 2nd innings.
4.David Gower's 154 not out at Kingston in 1981
With the most remorseless effort Gower put the great Carribean pace battery to the sword.Rarely has great pace bowling been played with such ease as though he was putting a child to sleep.Made Holding,Croft,Garner and Roberts look clueless.
5.Gary Sober's 254 at Melbourne in 1972
Close to the most perfect innings of all time like a boxer,soldier,surgeon and poet rolled into one which blended timing,power and technical skill in perfect proportion.Rated lower down as it was not scored against a complete pace attack like those of Gower,Raja and Border.
6.Brian Lara's 277 at Sydney in 1992-93
Took batting domination to it's supreme zenith arguably even surpassing Sobers .Close to the best test innings ever played by an overseas player in Australia.rated below Sober's 254 because Gary score it in a more precarious situation.
7.Gary Sobers 163 at Leeds in 1966
In an epic 204 run partnership with cousin David Holder displayed mastery in batting rarely witnessed on a cricket field.
8.Clive Lloyd's 121 at Adelaide in 1979-80
One of cricket's greatest comeback innings ever where Lloyd ressurected the glory of his batting in yesteryear to lay the ground for West Indies to win their First ever official series or the Frank Worrell trophy on Australian soil.Innings played a great role in defining West Indian cricket which reached it's pinnacle of glory at that time.
9.Alan Border's 78 and 126 v West Indies at Adelaide in 1981-92
Although played in a losing cause displayed the defiance of a boulder withstanding a hurricane.Rock-solid technique.
10.David Gower's 72 at Perth in 1982-83
Not a century but for sheer domination and beauty of batting close to the very top.Took Lillee and Lawson to the sword.
11.Clive Lloyd's 197 n.o v Australia in the Ist Wsc supertest at Kingston in 1979.
Displayed the effect of a dynamite exploding in a massive partnership with Andy Roberts for the 8th wicket.Characteristic Lloyd.
12.Larry Gomes 124 not out v Australia in 1981-82 at Adelaide
Architect of famous win for his team being involved in a big stand with Andy Roberts in the 1st innings.Above all it played a major role in his team retaining the coveted Frank Worrell trophy.
1.Roy Frederick's 169 at Perth in 1975-76
resembled a bomber raiding an airbase making Lillee and Thomson looking like cattle walking to a slaughterhouse.On the fastest pitch treated the quickest paceman of all time with disdain rarely ever seen.Difficult for a Viv richards or Sachin Tendulkar to surpass it.
2.Wasim Raja's 117 n.o and 71 at Bridgetown in 1977
Enabled his team to stave off certain defeat,ressurecting them from the grave with a 133 run last wicket partnership with Wasim Bari to come within the brink of a famous victory.reminiscent of dramatic change of pot in a Hollywood epic .Wasim displayed grit at it's highest zenith against the likes of Garner,Croft and Roberts.One of the greatest innings ever in a crisis.
3.Alan Border's 98 and 100 not out at Trinidad in 1984
Epitome of grit and defiance in sport, reminiscent of a soldier fighting battle against all odds.Rarely have 2 innings so much ressurected a team from the grave or reverted a sinking ship,particularly in the 2nd innings.
4.David Gower's 154 not out at Kingston in 1981
With the most remorseless effort Gower put the great Carribean pace battery to the sword.Rarely has great pace bowling been played with such ease as though he was putting a child to sleep.Made Holding,Croft,Garner and Roberts look clueless.
5.Gary Sober's 254 at Melbourne in 1972
Close to the most perfect innings of all time like a boxer,soldier,surgeon and poet rolled into one which blended timing,power and technical skill in perfect proportion.Rated lower down as it was not scored against a complete pace attack like those of Gower,Raja and Border.
6.Brian Lara's 277 at Sydney in 1992-93
Took batting domination to it's supreme zenith arguably even surpassing Sobers .Close to the best test innings ever played by an overseas player in Australia.rated below Sober's 254 because Gary score it in a more precarious situation.
7.Gary Sobers 163 at Leeds in 1966
In an epic 204 run partnership with cousin David Holder displayed mastery in batting rarely witnessed on a cricket field.
8.Clive Lloyd's 121 at Adelaide in 1979-80
One of cricket's greatest comeback innings ever where Lloyd ressurected the glory of his batting in yesteryear to lay the ground for West Indies to win their First ever official series or the Frank Worrell trophy on Australian soil.Innings played a great role in defining West Indian cricket which reached it's pinnacle of glory at that time.
9.Alan Border's 78 and 126 v West Indies at Adelaide in 1981-92
Although played in a losing cause displayed the defiance of a boulder withstanding a hurricane.Rock-solid technique.
10.David Gower's 72 at Perth in 1982-83
Not a century but for sheer domination and beauty of batting close to the very top.Took Lillee and Lawson to the sword.
11.Clive Lloyd's 197 n.o v Australia in the Ist Wsc supertest at Kingston in 1979.
Displayed the effect of a dynamite exploding in a massive partnership with Andy Roberts for the 8th wicket.Characteristic Lloyd.
12.Larry Gomes 124 not out v Australia in 1981-82 at Adelaide
Architect of famous win for his team being involved in a big stand with Andy Roberts in the 1st innings.Above all it played a major role in his team retaining the coveted Frank Worrell trophy.
