Top 10 Batsmen who have carried their bat through a Test innings since 2001

Carry the bat through a completed innings is a very special achievement. A batsman batting all through the innings and remaining not out doesn’t happen very often. It requires immense patience and application. And, the batsmen who manage to this are highly appreciated. So, here we have the list of ten batsmen who have carried their bat through a completed Test innings since 2001. 10. Javed Omar v Zimbabwe – 85: (© DESHAKALYAN CHOWDHURY/AFP/Getty Images) Javed Omar is the only batsman in the list who is not a centurion. The right-handed opener batted 168 deliveries for his 85-run knock in the third innings of the 1st Test of the 2001 series as Bangladesh were trying to overhaul the huge lead taken by Zimbabwe. They eventually failed and lost the match by inning and 32 runs. Heath Streak and Andy Bilgnaut knocked down Bangladesh for a cheap score of 168 as Omar was left stranded alone in the end. 9. Imran Farhat v New Zealand – 117: (Photo Source: Getty Images) Imran Farhat produced one of the best batting performances of his career when he scored a fine century in the first innings of the 3rd Test at Napier in 2009 against New Zealand. Medium pacer Iain O’Brien and Daryll Tuffey ran through the Pakistan batting lineup with four wickets apiece. But, the duo could not create stop the stylish left-hander from scoring a century and he remained unbeaten though his team was bowled out; the match ended in a draw. 8. Dean Elgar v England – 118: South Africa’s batsman Dean Elgar.(Photo by GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images) Dean Elgar became the 6th South African batsman and the 50th player in the world to carry his bat through an innings. Elgar came out to bat on day three of the first Test against England in the 1st Test at Durban in 2015; he was unmoved till the fall of the last Proteas wicket playing 246 deliveries and spending 386 minutes at the crease. He finished unbeaten at 118 after South Africa were bowled out for just 214. His knock was laced with 8 fours and 1 six. Though he put up a valiant effort it proved insufficient as the visitors beat them by 241 runs. 7. David Warner v New Zealand – 123: David Warner of Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) David Warner fought a lone battle in the second innings against the Kiwis at Hobart in 2011 in a low scoring contest. The Australians were required to chase 231 in the fourth inning to win the match but Doug Bracewell’s 6/40 broke the back of the Australian batting lineup. However, the explosive left-hander was unbending and played his natural game and ended up being unbeaten at 123 after Nathan Lyon was bowled by Bracewell. Warner’s knock had brought Australia to the brink of victory but they lost narrowly by 7 runs. 6. Simon Katich v New Zealand – 132: Australian batsman Simon Katich. (Photo by EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) Simon Katich starred in this reasonably low scoring Test match against New Zealand at Brisbane in 2008. He scored an amazing century in the second innings after the Aussies bowled the Kiwis out for just 156. But, New Zealand was ready to fight back and made early inroad dismissing Matthew Hayden off the first delivery. But, Katich, who partnered Hayden, batted solidly and scored brilliant 132 and remained not out till Australia were all out for 268. The knock proved fruitful for them as the hosts won the Test by 149 runs. 5. Cheteshwar Pujara v Sri Lanka – 145: Cheteshwar Pujara. (Photo Source: BCCI) Cheteshwar Pujara’s unbeaten 145 against Sri Lanka during India’s tour to the Island nation in 2015 was a special knock. Pujara opened the batting with KL Rahul for India in the first innings of the 3rd Test and the final Test at Colombo. But, Sri Lanka’s pace and spin pair of Dhammika Prasad and Rangana Herath soon got into their act and the batting lineup crumbled. India, at one point, were reduced to 180/7 before Amit Mishra provided some support to Pujara. Eventually, India bundled out for 303 with Pujara still holding his end. The impact of his fighting century was that the visitors won the match and grabbed the series 2-1. 4. Rahul Dravid v England – 146: India’s Rahul Dravid. (Photo by IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images) Rahul Dravid has anchored Indian innings on many occasions. It was the fourth Test of the Pataudi Trophy at Kennington Oval, 2011. England had amassed 591 in the first innings with the help of a double century from Ian Bell and a century from Kevin Pietersen. India, in reply, did not start well and were 13/2 and were soon found themselves struggling at 95/5. But, Dravid played through and saw all the wicket fall until Indian innings folded at the score of 300. Despite a special from Dravid, it was a forgettable Test as England beat them by an innings and 8 runs. 3. Tino Mawoyo v Pakistan – 163: Pakistan’s Saeed Ajmal (L) bowls as Tinotenda Mawoyo watches. (Photo by JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/Getty Images) Tino Mawayo played the most memorable knock of his life when he opened the Zimbabwean innings against Pakistan at the Queens Sports Club, 2011. Mawoyo batted defiantly against the likes of Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan, and Aizaz Cheema to score a majestic 163. This knock along with contributions from the middle order enabled Zimbabwe to post 412 in the first innings. It till date remains the only century of his career and proved a memorable one as Zimbabwe beat Pakistan by 24 runs. 2. Chris Gayle v Australia – 165: Chris Gayle (West Indian captain), England v West Indies, 1st Test, Lord’s, May 09. (Photo by Patrick Eagar/Patrick Eagar Collection via Getty Images) West Indies came out to bat with a small advantage of 12 runs in the third innings of the 2nd Test of the Frank Worrell Trophy against Australia in 2009. Chris Gayle, who had failed in the first innings showed his batting class at the Test level with a fluent 165 off 285. No Windies batsman could even cross the 30-run mark as they were bowled out for 317 with Gayle carrying his bat. The game was a draw. 1. Virender Sehwag v Sri Lanka – 201: Virender Sehwag. (Photo Source: Getty Images) Virender Sehwag starred in the 2nd Test at Galle in 2008 to help India level the Test series. Sehwag opened the innings and counter-attacked the Sri Lankan bowling attack comprising of the then new spin bowling threat Ajantha Mendis, Muttiah Muralitharan and Chaminda Vaas. Mendis had, to an extent, punctured the Indian batting lineup with a six-wicket haul but Sehwag’s majestic 201 not out stole the show. This double century accounted more than 60% of India’s total of 329. All stats updated till 24th February 2016. Also read: Batsmen with most sixes in each batting position in Tests