2014 Yearender: Top 10 innings in Tests

The year 2014 saw some riveting contests between bat and ball. As 2015 dawns, here is one last look back at the most memorable innings of the year. Pramod Ananth lists out ten of the best Test innings of 2014.

Kumar Sangakkara, 319 vs Bangladesh at Chittagong:  Sangakkara’s innings was extremely special. He came in at No. 3 when Sri Lanka had lost an early wicket and was the last man dismissed. Sri Lanka were all out for 587, and Sangakkara managed to score more than half of those runs.

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During his innings of 319, he formed partnerships with Mahela Jayawardene, Kithuruwan Vithanage, and Ajantha Mendis to ensure his side reach a huge total. Sangakkara was again brilliant in the second innings as well, where he made another century which helped Sri Lanka to a humongous target. Sangakkara had scored 424 runs in that Test alone.

Brendon McCullum, 224 vs India at Auckland: New Zealand had lost three early wickets, as McCullum walked out at No. 5 to join young Kane Williamson in the middle. McCullum played excellent counter-attacking cricket and along with Williamson, stitched a 221-run partnership which resurrected New Zealand’s innings. After Williamson was dismissed for a well-made 100, McCullum did not show signs of letting his guard down as he built another 100-run stand with Corey Anderson. ‘Baz’ was finally dismissed for 224, and ensured that his team finished with over 500 runs, which looked impossible at one stage. New Zealand went on to win the match, and eventually the series.

Brendon McCullum, 302 vs India at Wellington: Having taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series thanks to the aforementioned double-ton by McCullum in the previous match, he was out to torment the Indian bowlers yet again. The match seemed as though it was heading to an early finish with India well on top after Ishant Sharma’s six-wicket haul dismissed New Zealand for 192 in the first innings. McCullum then came out and blasted 302 of 559 balls that gave New Zealand a formidable lead. The match ended in a draw, but McCullum’s  historic innings will forever be etched in the memory of cricket lovers.

Michael Clarke, 161 not out vs South Africa at Cape Town:  Clarke’s 161 not out will go down as the bravest innings played this year. It was revealed after the day’s play that the then Australia captain played with a broken shoulder. Under those circumstances, not only did he make 161, but he remained not out having faced bowlers like Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Vernon Philander. Clarke’s innings made sure that South Africa not only won the match but won the three-match series 2-1.

Kumar Sangakkara, 221 vs Pakistan at Galle: Pakistan had put in a good performance in the first innings of the first Test. Sri Lanka were faced with a 451-run total, and needed a couple of good performances to take the lead. Sangakkara walked in his usual No. 3 position after the hosts lost Upul Tharanga early on. Sangakkara put together huge partnerships, first with Mahela Jayawardene and then with skipper Angelo Mathews, which made sure that Sri Lanka folded with an 83-run lead. Sangakkara batted well with the tail as he was the last man dismissed for 221. Sri Lanka went on to win the game by seven wickets after Pakistan were bundled out for a paltry total in the second innings.

Angelo Mathews, 160 vs England at Headingly: After Sri Lanka conceded a 100-plus lead in the first innings it was imperative for them to perform well in the second. Mathews led from the front and scored a brilliant 160 as he took Sri Lanka out of a tricky situation. The hosts eventually won the match by 100 runs, and the credit for this win must well and truly go to Mathews.

Brendon McCullum, 202 vs Pakistan at Sharjah: McCullum has made yet another entry into this list thanks to the wonderful double-ton against Pakistan late in the year. The blitzkrieg at a time when the entire cricketing world was mourning the loss of Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes, who passed away after being hit on the head by a bouncer from pace bowler Sean Abbott. McCullum’s innings served as a reminder that the game could bring joy even in its darkest moments. An emotional McCullum paid his tribute to Hughes after his innings and helped his side level the series in the process.

Misbah-ul-Haq, 101 not out vs Australia at Abu Dhabi: Riding on a double-ton by Younis Khan and a century by Misbah, Pakistan made 570 in the first innings. Australia just managed 261 but Pakistan did not enforce the follow-on. In the pursuit of some quick runs, Misbah walked in at No. 5 and smashed the joint fastest century in Test cricket, equalling Sir Viv Richards’ long standing record in the process. Pakistan won the match by 356 runs as Misbah entered the record books for a record, which even he wouldn’t have expected. Misbah ensured that he was “Tuk Tuk” no more.

Virat Kohli, 141 vs Australia at Adelaide: Kohli, on captaincy debut, made hundreds in both the innings. He made 115 in the first innings, but it was his 141 in the second innings which got India within striking distance of winning the match. He was well supported by Murali Vijay (99) at the other end, but India’s chances ended when Kohli was dismissed by Nathan Lyon as they were bowled out in the final session just 48 runs from a win.

Brendon McCullum, 195 vs Sri Lanka at Christchurch: This list ends with yet another McCullum special. This time he scored a brilliant 195 of 134 balls, and took the game completely away from Sri Lanka.  McCullum reached the three-figure mark off 74 balls and became the fastest centurion for New Zealand. Sri Lanka never got things going in their innings, and set a 105-run target for the Kiwis after being asked to follow on. The year ended quiet aptly with another blistering innings by McCullum, who has had probably the best year of his career both as a player and as captain.

(Pramod Ananth is a reporter at CricketCountry. He has represented Karnataka table tennis under-15, and is a hardcore supporter of Liverpool FC. His Twitter handle is @pramz)