The first player to score 150 runs in both Test innings

No run comes easy in Test cricket as the red ball is known to do more talking than the white one. Moreover, the tracks also tend to deteriorate more with time. Hence, scoring a century in the longest format takes some beating. Nonetheless, over the years, we have seen many batters scoring not one twin centuries in a particular Test match.

However, do you know who’s the first and only player to score 150-plus runs in both innings of a Test? He’s none other than former Australian captain Allan Border, who achieved the unique milestone on March 23rd in 1980. It was the third Test of Australia’s 1980 tour of Pakistan and the venue was Lahore.

When young Allan Border rewrote history books

Australia elected to bat first after winning the toss and Border came out to bat at number six with the scorecard reading 153/4. Facing the likes of Iqbal Qasim and Imran Khan, the then youngster batted with precision and played some delightful shots all over the park. He also stitched up important partnerships with tail-enders Graeme Beard and Ray Bright, helping the Aussies breach the 400-run mark.

In the process, Border also brought up his fourth Test century. The then Aussie skipper Greg Chappell declared Australia’s innings at 407/7, right after Border reached the 150-run mark. As Pakistan also declared their first innings at 391/8, the game was heading towards a dull draw. However, Border was determined to make his bat talk once again.

He walked into bat when Australia’s scorecard read 149/4 in their second innings. The left-handed batter, this time, was more aggressive in his approach as he played several big shots.

In fact, he batted with a strike rate of over 80. While Pakistan bowlers were enduring a hard time in the office, Border scripted history by becoming the first batter to record two 150-plus scores in a single Test. His 153-run knock off 184 balls was studded with 16 boundaries and five sixes. The game eventually ended in a draw.