Super 6! Number 11 batsmen who scored a 50 in Tests

#3. James Anderson

James Anderson

On a feather-bed of a pitch at Nottingham during a Test against India played from July 9 to July 13, 2014, James Anderson registered his Test best of 81.

Batting first, India had posted an impressive 457 on the board on the back of Murali Vijay’s dogged 146 and skipper MS Dhoni’s 82. In response, England found themselves in some spot of bother at 298 for 9 despite fifties from Gary Ballance and Sam Robson.

Joe Root was still at the crease and batting beautifully, but was running out of partners until he found an unlikely ally in Anderson. The England number 11, otherwise known for keeping the ball out, this time took on the Indian bowlers and came out on top. Anderson blazed his way to 81 from 130 balls with as many as 17 hits to the fence. Root remained unbeaten on a stupendous 154, and the match meandered into a high-scoring draw.

#2. Tino Best

Tino Best.

A couple of years before Anderson frustrated India, the West Indies number 11 dished out similar treatment to the English bowler. In the 2012 Test between West Indies and England played at Birmingham from June 7-11, Tino’s innings was the ‘Best’ thing to happen in the game.

Till then a relatively unknown fast bowler, Best blazed his way to 95 from 112 balls with 14 fours and a six at a swift strike rate of 84.82. Best narrowly missed out on becoming the first Test number 11 to score a hundred, a feat that is yet to be achieved, but it was an entertaining innings nonetheless.

Best was aided by the fact that England did not have their strongest bowling attacks. Instead, the England bowling comprised Graham Onions, Tim Bresnan and Steven Finn. Wicket-keeper Denesh Ramdin also helped himself to an unbeaten hundred as West Indies went from 283 for 9 to 426 all out.

#1. Ashton Agar

Ashton Agar.

The Aussie left-arm spinner is perhaps the most accomplished number 11 to have played Test cricket till date. Picked primarily for his left-arm spin, he made a stunning debut in the first Ashes Test of the 2013 edition played at Nottingham from July 10-14, but not with the ball.

Having rolled over England for 215 in the first innings courtesy Peter Siddle’s five-for, Australia themselves crumbled to 117 for 9 as Anderson returned fire with fire, finishing with 5 for 85. But, England’s hopes of securing a crucial first innings lead were dashed by Agar, as the 19-year-old launched a stunning counter attack.

Agar blasted 98 in the most sublime fashion, facing 101 balls during which he hit 12 fours and 2 sixes. Like Best, the three-figure mark was to elude him too as he fell to Stuart Broad. Agar featured in a 163-run last-wicket stand with the late Phil Hughes as Australia posted 280. It wasn’t enough though as another five-for from Anderson bowled England to a tense victory by 14 runs despite Brad Haddin’s hard-fought 71.