5 defiant, match-saving innings of this decade

#4 Brendon McCullum – 302 vs India (Wellington, 2014)

Brendon McCullum's heroic knock rescued New Zealand from a hopeless position

This was simply one of the greatest pieces of rearguard action in the history of Test cricket. Known for his dashing strokeplay, New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum produced what may well be the greatest Test innings by a New Zealander.

The Kiwis were leading the two-match series 1-0 but had put up a low score in their first innings of the second Test on a green top. Conditions then eased remarkably and India managed a big score in their first innings, leaving New Zealand with a deficit of 246.

And when New Zealand were reduced to 94/5, a big innings defeat seemed certain. But then McCullum teamed up with BJ Watling and produced his magnum opus. Rather than playing his natural all-out attacking game, Baz knuckled down and kept the Indian bowlers at bay. He toned down his ultra-aggressive mode to one of cautious positivity.

McCullum still played fierce shots and severely punished any loose deliveries that came his way. But he became more of a marathon man than the sprinter he usually is by batting for nearly 13 hours and 559 balls to make his team’s series victory certain, also giving New Zealand their first triple century in Test cricket.

There were a couple of dropped catches but they should not in the least obscure the undeniable magnificence of his match-saving knock.