Ruthless Declarations in TEST CRICKET: Test cricket isn’t easy. Unlike ODIs and T20Is, where entertainment forms the basic quotient of the format, Test cricket demands being present in the moment and take tough decisions if required. However, not every decision taken might be logically correct, or please the critics. Right from Rahul Dravid denying Sachin Tendulkar a double hundred in Multan in 2004 to the latest incident of Usman Khawaja left stranded on 195*, let’s check Test cricket’s 10 harshest declarations. Follow Australia vs SouthAfrica LIVE Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Ruthless Declarations in TEST CRICKET: From Dravid denying Tendulkar a double hundred in Pakistan to Usman Khawaja left stranded on 195*, check TEST CRICKET’s 10 Most Harshest Declarations
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10. Rahul Dravid’s declarations stuns Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar in Multan
In March 2004, India faced archrival Pakistan in a historic Test series in Pakistan. The match is remembered for Virender Sehwag’s 309 runs, but Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar also scored an unbeaten 194 runs. In their first innings, India dominated the game, declaring on 675/5. The stand-in captain, Rahul Dravid, stunned the fans and, more importantly, Sachin Tendulkar, who was batting on 194. Tendulkar admitted his disappointment at the press conference and wrote extensively about the decision in his autobiography, “Playing it My Way.” The controversy didn’t matter because India won the match by an innings and 52 runs.
Ruthless Declarations in TEST CRICKET: From Dravid denying Tendulkar a double hundred in Pakistan to Usman Khawaja left stranded on 195*, check TEST CRICKET’s 10 Most Harshest Declarations
9. Justin Langer’s extraordinary declaration takes Somerset fans by surprise
Apart from representing Australia in over 100 Tests, former opener Justin Langer also played for Somerset County in England. When Middlesex played Somerset at Lord’s in May 2007, skipper Langer decided to declare their innings at 50/8. He claimed that because the pitch is green, it will reveal the opposing batting order. Many disagreed, accusing him of denying Middlesex a bonus point. Middlesex eventually won the game, which is remembered for Langer’s bizarre declaration.
8. Hansie Cronje forfeits innings, loses Test and later his reputation
Disgraced In 2000, South African captain Hansie Cronje did something unusual by forfeiting an innings against England in Centurion. Cronje decided to declare on 248/8 and persuade rival skipper Nasser Hussain to give up an innings and play the game like an ODI as the Test match was heading for a draw. England completed the chase with two wickets remaining. Cronje later admitted to taking money from the bookies as well as a leather jacket to ensure a result. Cronje not only lost the game, but his reputation as well.
7. Graeme Hick slow knock frustrates skipper Michael Atherton
Unlike the current England team, the Three Lions were not great tourists in the 1990s. However, during the third Ashes Test in Sydney in 1995, England found themselves in a commanding position after bundling out Australia for 116 in the first innings. England eventually took a 198-run lead, but captain Michael Atherton wanted some quick runs to set Australia a difficult target. Atherton, on the other hand, was frustrated by Graeme Hick’s slow knock of 36 runs in 80 minutes on Day 4. As a result, Atherton declared the innings with two runs short of a Test century. According to reports, Hick did not speak to Atherton for the remainder of the tour.
6. Sir Garfield Sobers gets it all wrong against England
West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers chose to surprise England in the fourth Test at Port of Spain in Trinidad by declaring the team innings on 92/2. This gave England a target of 215 runs in the fourth innings. The move backfired as England stunned the hosts by 7 wickets and took a 1-0 lead in the 5-match series.
5. Gower challenges West Indies, Greenidge responds
In the 1980s and 1990s, things were not quite the same as they are now in the T20 era, where no total is safe. It was the second Test of the famous “Black Wash” series between England and the West Indies at Lord’s in 1984. England Captain David Gower declared the second innings at 300/9, leaving WI with a 341-run target to chase in just two sessions. Opener Gordon Greenidge had other ideas, scoring 212 runs in 242 balls to lead the West Indies to a 9-wicket victory over England in just 66 overs.
4. When Bishan Singh Bedi declared the Indian innings vs WI in Jamaica
The infamous 1976 Test match, in which five Indian cricketers were injured, is remembered for then-skipper Bishan Singh Bedi’s declaration with India on 97/5 in the second innings. With India leading by only 12 runs, Bedi declared the innings and refused to allow the lower order to bat. The West Indies cruised to victory, handing India a 10-wicket defeat. Bedi contended that India’s innings should be considered competitive because five of his players were injured while batting. Despite his many accomplishments on the cricket field, Bedi is remembered for his declaration, as many believed he was too scared to bat against a West Indies pacer.
3. Sir Gubby Allen gets its all wrong against Australia
The Ashes has always been of prime importance, both for the English and the Aussies. In the 3rd Test in 1937 in Melbourne, Sir Gubby Allen’s England team needed a win in the third Test to reclaim the Ashes. England had already won the first two Tests. Batting first, Australia scored a respectable 200-9 in bowler-friendly conditions, which appeared to be a good score when England fell to 76-9 on day two. Gubby declared and was confident that they could get some quick wickets in the testing conditions, but the hosts responded by sending in a nightwatchman at number four. Unfortunately, after a rest day, the weather improved, allowing regular openers Jack Fingleton and Don Bradman, batting at numbers six and seven, to smash 136 and 270, respectively, as Australia cruised to victory.
2. Freddie’s Fall at the Adelaide in 2006
For the most part, England dominated the second Test between Australia and England at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. The match appeared to be heading for a tame draw heading into the final day. Shane Warne, on the other hand, had other plans. Warne turned the game on its head with four wickets on the final day. England were bowled out for 129 after starting at 69/2, giving Australia a target of 168 runs. Australia won by six wickets and then humiliated England at home with a 5-0 scoreline.
1. Brian Rose does the unthinkable, declares at 1/0
Somerset must avoid a crushing defeat to advance to the Benson & Hedges Cup quarterfinals. Brian Rose, their captain, wins the toss and chooses to bat. His openers leave. They are under an overhang. They make a run. Then he summons them once more. Worcestershire require 10 balls to score the two runs required to win (keep going, lads!). The game is over in 18 minutes, including the 10-minute intermission. The majority of the spectators had not even taken their seats when the game ended. Rose is booed as he leaves the ground, and Somerset are eliminated from the competition. What about Rose? “I had no choice,” he explained.
Australian batter Usman Khawaja joins an immensely unfortunate list of cricketers who were affected on a personal note, and denied what would have been his maiden double hundred. Australian skipper Pat Cummins owes him one.
Ruthless Declarations in TEST CRICKET: From Dravid denying Tendulkar a double hundred in Pakistan to Usman Khawaja left stranded on 195*, check TEST CRICKET’s 10 Most Harshest Declarations
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