Top 5 batting performances of Alec Stewart in Tests

In this article, we will discuss the Top 5 batting performances of Alec Stewart in Tests. Alec Stewart was a formidable presence on the cricket field, particularly when facing fast bowlers, where his adept touch and elegant strokes made him a standout. His standout performances, including dual centuries against Bridgetown in 1993-94, showcased his prowess. Despite his proficiency against pace, Stewart struggled against spinners, leading to fluctuations in his career. Stewart’s dual role as a wicketkeeper-batter caused some imbalance in the England team’s lineup, but he eventually became the primary wicketkeeper. 

The veteran batter’s tenure as England captain began promisingly, with a significant series win against South Africa in 1998. However, his leadership style, characterized by passion rather than strategic acumen, was questioned following disappointing Ashes and World Cup campaigns in 1999. Stewart played in 133 Test and scored 8463 runs at an average of 39.55 along with 15 centuries to their name. However, throughout his career the star wicket-keeper batter played some brilliant in Test match cricket;

5. 148 vs New Zealand, 1992

The 1992 tour of England to New Zealand started off in a brilliant fashion for the opening batter Alec Stewart who smashed a brilliant 148 runs off 265 balls. This brilliant innings included 17 fours. It was courtesy of his century which helped England reach a whopping total of 580/9 in the first innings. This first inning indeed helped the England team to win the game by an innings and four runs.

4. 164 vs South Africa, 1998

This knock from the wicketkeeper batter will go down as one of the best innings played by any English batter in the Test match. Given that the England team were forced to play the follow-on after a poor batting display in the first innings. Alec came into bat when England were 2/11 in the second innings. He along with Mike Atherton stitched together a brilliant partnership of 226 runs for the third wicket. In the process, Alec scored 164 runs off 317 balls along with 24 boundaries to his name.

3. 170 vs Pakistan, 1996

In the second Test of 1996, Pakistan’s tour of England brought out one of the best innings from the wicketkeeper batter. After winning the toss, the Pakistan team elected to bat first and posted 448 runs in their first innings. In reply to this huge total, the England team posted a humongous 501 runs in their first innings. The star with the bat was Alec Stewart who scored outstanding 170 runs off 315 balls including 24 boundaries.

2. 173 vs New Zealand, 1997

The 1997 England tour of New Zealand saw the opening batter played another magnificent knock under pressure. Batting first, the New Zealand team scored 390 runs in the first innings, replying to which the England team went out to score a monstrous 521 runs in their first innings. The star of the show for the England team was Alec Stewart who scored a brilliant 173 runs of 277 balls including 23 fours and one maximum. In fact, for his brilliant effort, the right-hand batter was awarded as Player of the Match award. 

1. 190 vs Pakistan, 1992

Arguably, this is the best innings that the wicketkeeper batter has played. Unfortunately, he missed out on a well-deserved double-century. In reply to a brilliant 446/4 by the Pakistan team, in the first innings, England batters just out-batted the Pakistan total and scored 459/7. The star of the show once again for England was Stewart who scored a brilliant 190 runs off just 261 balls and included 31 boundaries to his name.