Top 10 Longest Individual Innings in Test Cricket: (by minutes)
History of the cricket is filled with so many astonishing and unbelievable records. With every passing minute someone breaks the old record the set’s a new one. Many records has been broken by some of best’s in the game but still a lot of then seems to be untouchable like brain Lara’s 400*, Tendulkar most centuries etc. But did you know who played longest individual innings in the history of test cricket? Top 10 longest individual innings in test cricket is compilation of such great players who played some of the longest innings in the game. Pakistan’s Hanif Mohammad is on the top of the list. To find out who are the other stars check the list!!
1. Hanif Mohammad (970 Minutes)
Pakistan’s former test player commonly known as “little master” Hanif Mohammad is at top position in longest individual innings in test cricket. Little master made this record against West Indies at Bridgetown in 17 Jan 1958. After fallow on and deficit of 473 runs in first innings, it was seemed that Pakistan will easily loose that match. On the afternoon of third day, Hanif spent more than sixteen hours at the crease compiling his runs, allowing Pakistan to draw the game. It remains the longest innings in Test history. He scored 337 runs including 24 fours after spending 970 minutes on the crease. 337 runs is the only Test match instance of a triple century in a team’s second innings.
2. Gary Kirsten (878 Minutes)
South Africa’s Gary Kirsten set a record during his match saving marathon innings of 275 in the Durban Test against England in 26 Dec 1999. Kirsten’s innings lasted for 878 minutes – longest ever played for South Africa and 2nd longest innings all over the world after Haif Mohammad. He utilized 642 balls for his 275 runs.
3. Alastair Cook (836 Minutes)
England’s skipper Alastair Cook played another incredible innings against Pakistan in UAE in 1st test. He spent 836 minutes on pitch and scored 263 runs. England’s captain had spent four minutes short of 14 hours at the crease in making his 263 runs – scoring from 528 deliveries with 18 fours. Cook moved to 3rd place in Longest Individual Innings in Test Cricket by minutes.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya (799 Minutes)
At no 4 spot in the list of Top 10 longest individual innings in test cricket we have Sri Lankan legend Sanath Jayasuriya. Jayasuriya scored 340 runs in a test match against India at Colombo in 2nd August 1997. He took 799 minutes for his 340 runs.
5. Leonard Hutton (797 Minutes)
Sir Leonard Hutton has a unique record of longest innings in test cricket by balls. In 1938, in Ashes, at Oval he played an innings of 364 runs on record 847 balls. During this innings he spent 797 minutes on crease. Sir Leonard Hutton was just 21 year and few months old when he batted for over 13 hours to break the record for highest test score by an England batsman. 364 is the highest test match score by any batsman in Ashes.
6. Hashim Amla (790 Minutes)
Hashim Amla’s classic triple century that took more than 13 hours has South Africa poised to win the first Test against England on July 19, 2012, at Oval. Amla’s 311 not out from 529 balls lasted 790 minutes, contained 35 boundaries and broke AB de Villiers’ 278 not out as the highest Test score by a South African batsman.
7. Brian Lara (778 Minutes)
At no 7 position we have West Indies Legend and of the greatest batsmen in the history of cricket Brian Lara with a record of highest individual scores in test cricket; i.e.400 not out. The Trinidadian left-hander faced 582 deliveries, hit 43 fours and four sixes after spending 778 minutes, or just shy of 13 hours, at the crease. Lara equaled Hayden’s score by lofting Batty over long-on for six and then topped the mark with a swept four past fine leg.
8. Brendon Kuruppu (777 Minutes)
Sri Lankan wicketkeeper-opener Brendon Kuruppu was the third person to score a double-century on his Test debut, against New Zealand on April 16 1987 in Colombo. His 777-minute innings is the slowest double-hundred in first-class history. He played 548 balls for his 201 runs and occupied the crease for 777 minutes.
9. Brendon McCullum (775 Minutes)
Kiwi’s caption and wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum is at no. 8 in top 10 longest individual innings in test cricket. Brendon usually known for his aggressive, brash and brutal batting style also has a great temperament. McCullum played an astonishing inning of 302 against India at Wellington in 2014.The skipper took 775 minutes to reach the milestone, the 8th longest individual innings in test cricket ever.
10. Alastair Cook (773 Minutes)
England’s skipper and left handed opening batsman Alastair Cook is on no. 10 in top 10 longest individual innings in test cricket. Cook, who likes to spend a lot of time at the crease in Tests, played this historic inning against India in Birmingham. Cook batted for 773 minutes for his great 294 but unfortunately he was unable to convert his inning into a triple century.
11. Brian Lara (766 Minutes)
On the final spot in top 10 longest individual innings in test cricket we have again the legendary West Indies left hander Brain Lara. Lara scored 375 runs in 1994 against England. Lara batted for 766 minutes and received 538 balls for his 375 runs. That was the same innings in which Brain broke the Garry Sobers’ record of 365 for the highest Test innings. Later on Brain went a step further and made first ever 400 not out in the history of the game, a record that is still to break.
Longest Individual Innings in Test Cricket:
1. Hanif Mohammad (970 Minutes)
2. Gary Kirsten (878 Minutes)
3. Alastair Cook (836 Minutes)
4. Sanath Jayasuriya (799 Minutes)
5. Leonard Hutton (797 Minutes)
6. Hashim Amla (790 Minutes)
7. Brian Lara (778 Minutes)
8. Brendon Kuruppu (777 Minutes)
9. Brendon McCullum (775 Minutes)
10. Alastair Cook (773 Minutes)
11. Brian Lara (766 Minutes)
