5 times a No. 11 batsman top scored in an innings

Tail-enders are easily the most unpopular batsmen in cricket as they generally don't contribute too much to the scorecard. The No. 11 batsmen, in particular, are expected to be of zero value and any contribution from them is considered to be a surplus.But a startling fact that may not be known to many is that there are instances in cricket history where a batsman coming in to bat last has ended up being the top scorer in the innings.Finding it hard to believe? Take a look as these five No. 11s who scored the most runs in a completed innings:

#5 Nathan Lyon (Australia)

Nathan Lyon is quite a handy bat lower down the order for Australia

Opponent Team - South Africa

Individual Score - 14 (24)

Team Total - 47 all out

Offie Nathan Lyon once became the highest scorer in an Australian innings during one of the weirdest Test matches ever played. It was the 1st Test of the 2011 series between the Aussies and the Proteas and the men from Down Under put 284 on the board batting first while South Africa were skittled out for 96.

The South African bowlers, in turn, blew away Australia for 47, out of which No. 11 Lyon top scored with 14 and was the last man to be dismissed. The importance of his brief knock was that Nathan Lyon saved his team from the embarrassment of being bowled out for the lowest score ever in a Test innings as they were 21 for 9 at one stage.

#4 Talha Jubair (Bangladesh)

The Bangladeshi No. 11 once top scored for his team

Opponent Team - India

Individual Score - 31 (24)

Team Total - 124 all out

The little known Bangladeshi medium pacer once became the top scorer for his team while batting at No.11 in a Test match against next door neighbours India. The Indian team had put on 540 on the board and made the hosts follow on after dismissing them for 333.

Bangladesh were tottering at 84 for 9 when Jubair walked in and scored a quickfire 31 from just 24 deliveries. When he eventually got out, his team’s score had increased by 40 runs as they were all out for 124 with Talha Jubair being the highest scorer.

#3 Steve Harmison (England)

The tall England pacer was not known too much for his batting

Opponent Team - South Africa

Individual Score - 42 (42)

Team Total - 304 all out

The writing was already on the wall for England as they had been reduced to 253 for 9 chasing an improbable 503 in the 3rd Test of their 2005 tour to South Africa. As England’s No. 11 batsman Steve Harmison walked in to bat, everyone was expecting the innings to fold up rather quickly.

But what transpired over the next 11 overs or so left everyone witnessing the match shocked and amused at the same time as Harmison scored a run-a-ball 42 to delay the South African victory charge. A 51-run partnership with bowling partner Matthew Hoggard ensured England crossed the 300 mark.

The gigantic fast bowler was also the top scorer in the English team total of 304.

#2 Shane Shillingford (West Indies)

West Indies No. 11 Shane Shillingford scored his only fifty in Tests against the Kiwis

Opponent Team - New Zealand

Individual Score - 53* (29)

Team Total - 216 all out

It was one of the most aggressive innings you will ever see by a lower-order batsman, let alone a No. 11. With his team staring down the barrell at 134 for 9 in a daunting chase of 403 in the 1st Test of the 2014 home series against New Zealand, Shane Shillingford displayed his hitting skills as he struck a half-century off just 25 balls, currently the third-fastest in Tests.

He clobbered the Kiwi bowlers all round the park and shared a 82-run partnership with fellow tail-ender Sulieman Benn. West Indies were eventually dismissed for 216 with Shillingford being the top scorer with 53 not out.

#1 Ashton Agar (Australia)

On his debut, Ashton Agar registered the highest score by a No. 11

Opponent Team - England

Individual Score - 98 (101)

Team Total - 280 all out

Drafted into the side as a left-arm spinner, Ashton Agar achieved an incredible batting feat on his Test debut during the 2013 Ashes series played in England. Not only did he score the most runs in an innings for a No. 11 batsman, he also ended up being the highest contributor in Australia’s total of 280.

On course to his 98, the southpaw bailed Australia out of trouble by stitching together a vital 163-run partnership with the late Phil Hughes, who was unbeaten on 81. Although the Aussies lost the match by a close margin, Ashton Agar garnered a lot of appreciation for his stellar knock.