7 times batters were stranded on 99 not out in Test cricket
01/08/2025 02:56 AM
Scoring Test centuries is a milestone that all batters strive for – a test of patience, mental fortitude and grit.
For many, hundreds can define careers and is their armour in the relentless battle for selection.
Centuries are what we all remember and celebrate batters for, with a chance to feature on honours boards magnifying the immense achievement of making it through the dreaded nineties.
However, a select group were starved of a Test century on their record, despite having battled to the end of the nervous nineties.
2 Geoffrey Boycott, 99 not out – England vs Australia
In typical Boycott fashion, the Yorkshireman ground out a slow yet important 99 not out in a low-scoring match at the WACA in 1979.
However, his efforts were in vain as England’s batters collapsed around him leaving him on the losing side and just one short of an Ashes ton.
2. Steve Waugh, 99 not out – Australia vs England
The WACA took another victim after Waugh’s classy knock against England was cut agonisingly short as Australia’s number 11 left him without a partner at the crease in 1995.
Despite his efforts, England managed to win the match by eight wickets and avoid an embarrassing whitewash down under.
3. Alex Tudor, 99 not out – England vs New Zealand
Tudor came in as England‘s nightwatchman and played quality innings at Edgbaston that was beyond anyone’s expectations.
The innings was topped off with Tudor hitting the winning runs against the Black Caps in 1999 but was just one run short of the coveted cherry to top it off in what would have been his only Test century.
4. Shaun Pollock, 99 not out – South Africa vs Sri Lanka
In true Pollock style, the South African raced to 99 with an attacking innings at Centurion in 2002.
Yet, it was his immense leadership that pulled the plaudits as he prioritised allowing time to bowl at Sri Lanka by declaring selflessly while he needed just one more run for a century.
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5. Andrew Hall, 99 not out – South Africa vs England
One year later in 2003 followed another brutal declaration from a South Africa captain as new skipper Graeme Smith followed his predecessor’s team first approach.
The unfortunate Hall’s counterattacking 99 not out featured 15 boundaries as he missed out on what would have been his only Test century at Headingley.
6. Misbah-ul-Haq, 99 not out – Pakistan vs West Indies
A Test ton would have been a fitting way to end the final match of the Pakistan legend’s esteemed career in 2017.
But Misbah ran out of partners in Kingston, Jamaica and didn’t finish his career on the honours board.
7. Jonny Bairstow, 99 not out – England vs Australia
An attacking 99 at Old Trafford from Bairstow set up a thrilling conclusion to the Test despite his teammates failing to help him reach 100 runs.
However, his heroics were only enough to draw the series with Australia retaining the 2023 ashes as rain spoiled England’s chances to push on for victory.
Read next: Who has hit the most Test centuries for Australia?
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