5 longest innings in Test history 

For a long time in its history, crease occupation was one of the most important tasks of any batsman who played Test cricket and although it might still be the case in some cases, it is no longer a prerequisite. Even then, Test cricket was replete with epic innings from a variety of batsmen over the course of its history and some of them were marathon innings.

Although a long innings used to be defined by the number of hours that a batsman batted for when cricket first began, the number of balls faced is perhaps a better metric of the length of an innings. After all, actually facing up to deliveries is what batting is all about. So here is a look at five of the longest innings in Test by the number of deliveries faced.

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#5 Gary Kirsten 275 off 642 deliveries v England at Durban, 1999

After England scored 366 in their first innings of the Boxing Day Test in 1999, South Africa were shot out for 154 in 50.5 overs thanks to a seven-wicket burst from Andrew Caddick. They were then asked to follow on. With more than two days to go, they had their work cut out if they were to save the Test match on a fast and bouncy Durban pitch.

Enter Gary Kirsten and his epic innings that completely shut England out of the game. An attack consisting of Caddick, Andrew Flintoff, Chris Silverwood and Darren Gough must have been fast and nasty, but nothing got to him as he soaked up the pressure. Kirsten's technique, patience and the ability to bat for a long time made it one of the greatest innings ever played by a South African batsman.

He batted for close to 15 hours and consumed as many as 642 deliveries to save the Test for his team. It is the fifth longest innings in Test history in terms of balls faced. When he was finally dismissed, the match was called off and the two teams shook hands.

#4 Sidney Barnes 234 off 667 deliveries v England at Sydney, 1946

Sidney Barnes

Former Australian opening batsman Sidney Barnes played only 13 Tests but one of his three career centuries is in the record books for being the 4th longest Test innings in terms of balls faced. It is in the record books for another reason too but more on that later.

In the 2nd Test of the 1946-47 Ashes in Australia, the hosts dismissed England for 255 in the first innings and then decided to grind the opposition into the dust.

Opening batsman Sidney Barnes then proceeded to play a cautious innings which spanned 11 minutes short of 11 hours and fetched the batsman 234 runs in 667 deliveries. It was a slow innings by any standards as he struck only 17 boundaries and recorded a strike rate of only 35.08.

However, Sir Donald Bradman's 234 pounded the England attack into submission and Barnes shared a world record 5th wicket partnership of 405 runs, as Australia piled up 659. The record stands to this day. Barnes' painstaking innings, however, did not cost Australia the game as England were all out for 371 and the hosts won the Test match by an innings and 33 runs.

#3 Bob Simpson 311 off 743 deliveries v England at Manchester, 1964

Bob Simpson

There has probably never been a more boring draw in Ashes Test then the one at Old Trafford back in 1964 and lot of it had to with the innings played by Australian opening batsman Bob Simpson. Having chosen to bat first, Bob Simpson then proceeded to play an innings of technical excellence, grit and determination that ultimately ensured that England did not stand a chance of forcing a win.

He batted for close more than 12 hours and faced as many as 743 deliveries to score 311 runs, as Australia posted a mammoth score of 656 in 255.5 overs. They batted till into the third day of the Test match and any chance of forcing a result soon evaporated. England responded with 611 and only 2 overs could be bowled in Australia's second innings before the captains shook hands.

#2 Glenn Turner 259 off 759 deliveries v West Indies at Georgetown, 1972

Glenn Turner

When a batsman plays the second longest innings in Test history in terms of balls faced, then it is hardly a surprise that the actual game ended in a drab draw. Back in 1972, former New Zealand great and star opening batsman Glenn Turner made the highest score in his career against the West Indies at Georgetown. In addition to that, it was also a marathon of sorts that saw him strike at only 34.12 in this innings as he proceeded to grind the West Indian attack instead of cashing in on a placid pitch.

West Indies had declared for 365 in their first innings but New Zealand made the match safe quite early as Turner and his opening partner Terry Jarvis put on 387 for the first wicket. Turner's outstanding technical ability, his patience and his hunger for runs was on show in this innings. He batted for 16 minutes short of 12 hours and hit only 22 boundaries in his 759 balls stay at the crease, as he scored 259 against the hapless West Indians.

#1 Len Hutton 364 off 847 deliveries v Australia at The Oval, 1938

Len Hutton

This innings from arguably England's greatest ever batsman Len Hutton broke the record for the highest score in Test cricket and stood for twenty years. On the other hand, the epic innings from Hutton remains the longest innings ever played in Test cricket as far as the number of deliveries faced is concerned.

In the 4th Ashes Test, Hutton's technical excellence, stroke-making abilities and the ability to score big when set was in full show as he tormented the Australian bowlers at the Oval.

He faced 847 deliveries and batted for more than 13 hours to bring up the then record score of 364. Hefty contributions from other batsman took England's score to 903 that stood as a record for 59 years. The bowlers then came to the party to dismiss Australia cheaply twice and England romped home with one of their biggest victories in Ashes tests.

They won by an innings and 579 runs.