Cricket is a highly uncertain sport, and frequently, things may not happen as expected or planned by the teams. However, some fighting spirit from lower order batsman to save his team wins the hearts of fans as they like it. Although these cameos by the number eleven players typically do not change the outcome of the game they have occasionally made things interesting and assisted their team in obtaining a good outcome. Today, in this article, we will discuss the highest run scorer at number 11 in Test cricket.
1. Ashton Agar (98 vs England, 2013)
Aston Agar is a dedicated spin bowler for the Australian team. It was in 2013, when Agar made his Test debut for Australia against England in the first Test of The Ashes series. Agar, who was batting at number 11, played a brave inning while Australia was in trouble at 9 for 117. He, along with Phil Hughes (81 not out), added a record-breaking 163-run partnership for the 10th wicket to save Australia’s faltering innings.
Agar, in his innings, scored the most runs by a number 11 batsman in the history of Tests, while Hughes and Agar’s last-wicket stand was the longest by any nation in Test cricket history for the last wicket. However, his fighting innings failed to save Australia as the visitors lost the game by 14 runs.
2. Tino Best (95 vs England, 2012)
England has been at the receiving end several times when a number 11 batter hammered bowlers. West Indies were on a tour of England for a Test series. Tino Best was a reserve bowler for visitors before Kemar Roach’s injury made his way into the team. Best then played an outstanding knock to rattle England in a rain-affected game.
Best scored 95 runs at an impressive strike rate of 84.82 while the Windies were batting first in the game. He brilliantly supported Dinesh Ramdin and helped West Indies to post a comfortable total. It was the highest individual Test score by number 11 till Aston Agar smashed 98 against England in 2013. However, the match ended as a draw because of less game time due to continuous rain.
3. James Anderson (81 vs India)
India’s tour of England in 2014 was one of the most disastrous foreign tours for the Indian Team. MS Dhoni led India but was unable to counter the English team in the games. However, in this Test India batted well in the first innings as they scored 457 runs. In response, England started well and got amazing support from Joe Root, who scored a brilliant hundred.
Although, pacer James Anderson, who came to bat at number 11, stole the show with his magnificent 81 runs. In his innings, he smashed 17 fours with his proper cricketing shorts. The match was a draw, but James Anderson was named player of the match for his 81-run knock and four wickets.