Top 10 most brutal innings in Test cricket

5. Nathan Astle (222 vs England, England in NZ 2002)

Although England won this one, it was one of the best displays of power hitting that Nathan Astle produced, scoring 222 off just 168 deliveries, hitting 28 fours and 11 sixes. Having fallen for just 147 in their first innings, the Kiwis needed 550 runs to win while chasing in the 4^th innings. They did look like going all the way when Astle was playing, and especially during the last wicket stand that added 118 off just 69 deliveries after they were 9 down at 333. The English got some real scares when Cairns and Astle looked like they were going to take the game away from them.

Astle having reached the fastest double hundred in test cricket, eclipsing the previous record set by Gilchrist by 59 deliveries. England were propelled to a huge total in their 2^nd innings thanks to Man of the Match Graham Thorpe’s 200 off 231 balls and Flintoff’s 137. Astle hammered Caddick and Hoggard for good when he batted, hitting 5 and 4 sixes off their bowling respectively. It was a huge relief for England when Astle got out on a Hoggard delivery with New Zealand were still a good 98 runs short of the England lead.