Top 3 Test scores by captains in 4th innings o

Scoring a century in the fourth innings of a Test match itself is a big achievement for any batter. But when a captain registers this milestone, it is even more special as he leads his side from the front by batting and scoring a ton in the difficult situation of battling it out in the last innings of a match. A leader by smashing a hundred in the last innings tries to save or win a match for his side of his own.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 scores by a captain in the fourth innings of a Test match:

3.Bevan Congdon (176)

Former New Zealand skipper Bevan Congdon almost took his side to a victory when he scored 176 runs off 377 deliveries in the fourth innings of a Test match against England in Nottingham in 1973. Chasing a mammoth target of 479 runs, Congdon occupied the crease for 409 minutes with the help of 19 fours. NZ lost the match by just 38 runs as Congdon’s score is the third-highest individual score by a captain in the final innings.

2.Michael Atherton (185*)

Former England captain Michael Atherton amassed an unbeaten 185 runs off 492 deliveries against South Africa in Johannesburg in the year 1995. Chasing 479 runs, Atherton, who opened the innings, batted for 643 minutes and smashed 29 fours. He helped his side in achieving a draw as England finished the final innings of the match with 351/5 on the board.

1.Babar Azam (196)

27 years later, Pakistan captain Babar Azam most recently broke Atherton’s record as the elegant star slammed 196 runs against Australia in Karachi in March 2022. Chasing 506, he scored those runs in 425 balls, also the most balls faced by a Pakistan batter in the final innings. It is also the most runs scored by a Pakistani batter in the fourth innings. Babar struck 21 crisp fours and batted for 603 minutes and now holds the record for the highest score by a captain in the fourth innings. Pakistan reached 443/7 as the match ended up in a draw.