Have you ever think about scoring a double century in the 4th innings of a test match? Batting in the 4th innings of a Test match is very hard because there is lots of pressure while chasing down the target. Also, the pitch is favorable to the bowling team. So if any batsman scores a century in the 4th innings on a Day 4 or Day 5 pitch under such unfriendly conditions, we will consider him a different player. But if a player scores a double century in the 4th innings, undoubtedly, we assume him as an extraordinary batsman.
However, are there any players who have achieved a double century in the 4th innings of a test match? Yes, a total of six players in Test cricket so far have scored a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match. Interestingly, 4 of these double centuries scored against England, and one by an England batsman. Let’s see them all, one by one.
6 Batsman Who Have Scored Double Century In The 4th Innings Of A Test Match
- 6. Kyle Mayers (WI) – 210* vs Bangladesh (Chattogram, 2021)
- 5. Gordon Greenidge (WI) – 214* vs England (Lords 1984)
- 4. William John Edrich (ENG) – 219 vs South Africa (Durban, 1939)
- 3. Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 221 vs England (The Oval, 1979)
- 2. Nathan Astle (NZ) – 222 vs England (Christchurch, 2002)
- 1. George Headley (WI) – 223 vs England (Kingston, 1930)
6. Kyle Mayers (WI) – 210* vs Bangladesh (Chattogram, 2021)
The gifted West Indies batsman did a miracle in the first Test match against Bangladesh in 2021. West Indies need to chase down a target of 395 runs set by the host Bangladesh. The middle-order batsman graced the first debutant to score a double century in the 4th innings of the Test match. He delivered a sensational inning with another debutant Nkrumah Bonner on a day five pitch, favoring bowling, and struck a classical victory to the West Indies.
Mayers, who played 310 balls in the match, was unbeaten on 210 with 20 fours and seven sixes in his historic innings. Mayer’s outstanding innings helped West Indies complete a top 5 thriving 4th innings chase in Test cricket. The partnership of 216 runs among debutants Mayers and Bonner is the second-highest partnership concerning debutants within the Test cricket records. However, Mayers stands as the sixth batsman to attain a double century in Test Cricket debut. He is the third west indies batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
5. Gordon Greenidge (WI) – 214* vs England (Lords 1984)
The West Indies legend is one of the best batsmen who played for the country. In particular, the batsman, who has batted devastatingly in Test cricket, has teamed up with Desmond Haynes to bring many great victories to his team. One of them was the Test match against England in 1984. England set a target of 342 runs for the West Indies at Lords. However, the West Indies have only 80 overs on Day 5 to bat.
Greenidge, who was out for 1 in his team’s first innings precisely in the second innings, played a fantastic knock. He scored 214 runs off just 242 balls to lead his team to victory with single-hand. The West Indies shocked England by chasing their target in just 66 overs with the help of Greenidge’s iconic innings. He is the second west indies batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
4. William John Edrich (ENG) – 219 vs South Africa (Durban, 1939)
The England star batsman achieved this feat in 1939 in a Test match that lasted almost ten days. England fielded first in a timeless Test match against South Africa. However, the South African batsman, who played well in both innings, set a huge 696 runs target for England. Everybody thought that England would lose the match because they failed in the first innings, so that the same thing would happen in the second innings.
Meanwhile, Edrich played an unbelievable knock in England’s 2nd innings. He stayed at the crease for almost 8 hours and scored a massive 219 runs. With this, Edrich became the second player to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match. The Test match ended in a draw with the efforts of Edrich and the rest of the England batsmen. He is the only English batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
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3. Sunil Gavaskar (IND) – 221 vs England (The Oval, 1979)
No extensive introduction is needed about this iconic player from India. Sunil Gavaskar became the first batsman to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket. Gavaskar is also a great player who has proven that Team India batsman can also rule world cricket. Gavaskar was the only Indian batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a test match.
In a Test match against England in 1979, the England team set a 438 runs target for India. It is challenging to chase such a big target on a Day 5 pitch against England in England. However, Gavaskar became a test for the England bowlers and scored a mammoth 221 off 443 balls. With this, everyone thought that India would win this match. But Gavaskar was out at 389, and the game ended in a 9-run draw. However, Sunil Gavaskar was the only batsman to score a double century in all four innings of Test cricket. He was the only Indian to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
2. Nathan Astle (NZ) – 222 vs England (Christchurch, 2002)
It is one of my favorite innings on this list. The New Zealand all-rounder smashed all the bowlers in a Test match against England in 2002. He scored 222 off just 168 balls to stagger the world cricket. England set a massive target of 550 for New Zealand in this historic match at Christchurch.
However, in the chase, the New Zealand team lost too many wickets in a row, and their hopes on the match are just evaporated. But Astle, who had come to bat at number 5, showed some hell to the England bowlers. But as bad luck got him, he could not find support from the other end. The New Zealand team lost the match by 98 runs. But Astle’s 153-ball double century is still the fastest double hundred in Test cricket. He is the only New Zealand batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
1. George Headley (WI) – 223 vs England (Kingston, 1930)
The legendary West Indies batsman became the first player to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match. George achieved this feat in a timeless Test match against England in 1930. The England team set a massive target of 836 for the West Indies in the game played at Kingston.
However, West Indies batters have struggled in the chase, but George tested the England bowler’s patience. He scored 223 off 385 balls and stood in the way of victory for England. The match ended in a draw as the rain also helped the West Indies. George’s 223 runs are still the highest individual score in a Test match in the 4th innings. George is the first batsman to score a double century in the 4th innings of a Test match.
So, guys, this is the list of batsmen who scored a double century in the 4th innings of a test match. I hope you enjoyed this article. Thank you for reading. Have a nice day ?