Cricket, a game where partnerships between two players are very important, has changed over the years to require players to be good in every aspect. For success in modern cricket, you need to be good at everything, whether you’re bowling or batting. I think this is even more true in Test cricket, where teamwork is even more important.
Remember the game where VVS Laxman and Pragyan Ojha worked together to help India beat Australia by 1 wicket, a match never to be forgotten. These kinds of moments are what Test cricket is all about. Fans love seeing bowlers showing off their hitting skills. It shows how the skills of players who are usually known for bowling are improving as they step up to make big impacts with the bat.
This article talks about the top 5 highest eighth-wicket partnerships in Test cricket. It shows how latecomers rose to the challenge and turned the tide in some of the most exciting games in test cricket history.
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Top 5 Highest 8th Wicket Partnership in Test Cricket
1. Jonathan Trott, Stuart Broad – 332 Runs
In the 4th Test of the Pakistan tour of England in 2010 at Lord’s, Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad created a remarkable record for the highest eighth-wicket partnership in Test cricket. scoring 332 runs together after their team struggled to 102/7. They continued to score runs after Stuart Broad was out on a lbw appeal from Ajmal, with the score at 434/8.
Trott and Broad’s Exceptional Performance
Jonathan Trott played a solid innings, scoring 184 runs (19 Fours), while Stuart Broad complemented him with an impressive 169 (18 Fours). Their partnership was a mix of patience and aggression, completely dominating the Pakistan bowling attack.
Impact on the Match
This partnership played a crucial role in England amassing a total of 446 in their first innings. It set a strong foundation for the team and put Pakistan under significant pressure.
Match Outcome
Pakistan, in response to England’s massive total, were bowled out for only 74 Runs in their first innings and 147 in their second innings, following on. England won the match by an innings and 225 runs, marking a significant victory. The match was particularly notable for Graeme Swann’s five-wicket haul in Pakistan’s second innings, which played a significant role in securing the win for England.
2. Wasim Akram, Saqlain Mushtaq – 313 Runs
In the 1st Test of the Zimbabwe tour of Pakistan in 1996/97 at Sheikhupura, Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq created a remarkable record for the second-highest eighth-wicket partnership in Test cricket. They added an impressive 313 runs together after their team struggled for 237/7 and put up a massive score of 553 runs on the board.
Akram and Mushtaq’s Exceptional Performance
Wasim Akram played a solid innings, scoring an unbeaten 257 runs, while Saqlain Mushtaq complemented him with a significant 79.
Match Outcome
Pakistan scored a huge 553 runs in response to Zimbabwe’s 375 runs in the first innings. New Zealand got 241/7 in their second innings. As 5 days went by, though, the match finished in a tie.
3. Stephen Fleming, James Franklin – 256 Runs
Stephen Fleming and James Franklin set a new record for the third-best eighth-wicket partnership in Test cricket in the second Test of New Zealand’s 2005–06 tour of South Africa, which took place in Cape Town. They added an impressive 256 runs together after their team was struggling for 279-7 to make a massive total of 593/8 (declare).
Fleming and Franklin’s Exceptional Performance
Stephen Fleming scored 262 runs and James Franklin 122
Match Outcome
South Africa, in response to New Zealand’s massive totalof 593/8 (declare), scored 512 in their first innings. New Zealand scored 121/3 in their second innings. The match ended in a draw as 5 days were completed.
4. Nathan Astle, Adam Parore – 253 Runs
In the 3rd Test of the New Zealand tour of Australia in 2001-02 at Perth, Nathan Astle and Adam Parore added an impressive 253 runs together for the fourth-highest eighth-wicket partnership in Test cricket. After 281/7 Astle and Parore added 253 to set up a massive total of 534/9 (declare)
Astle and Parore’s Exceptional Performance
In addition to Nathan Astle’s 156 runs, Adam Parore contributed a substantial 110 runs to round out his potent inning.
Match Outcome
Australia, in response to New Zealand’s massive total of 534/9 (declare), scored 351 in their first innings and 381/7 in their second innings, chasing a target of 440. The match ended in a draw. The match was particularly notable for Daniel Vettori’s six-wicket haul in Australia’s first innings.
5. Les Ames, Gubby Allen – 246 Runs
In the 1st Test of the New Zealand tour of England in 1931 at Lord’s, Les Ames and Gubby Allen added an impressive 246 runs together after their team was struggling for 7-190 to end up with a massive score of 454 runs. When Les Ames got out, the score was 436/8.
Ames and Allen’s Exceptional Performance
Les Ames played a solid innings, scoring 137 runs, while Gubby Allen complemented him with a significant 122.
Match Outcome
New Zealand batted first, scoring 224, England responded with 454 in their first innings, thanks to Les Ames’ impressive 137 and Gubby Allen’s 122. New Zealand then scored 469/9d in their second innings, with Stewie Dempster scoring a notable 120. England responded with 146/5 in the second innings. The match concluded as a draw, with neither team gaining the upper hand.
In Test cricket, every player’s contribution with the bat is crucial, not just the top order. The stories of big partnerships for the 8th wicket show us that matches can be turned around or saved by players who are not known mainly for their batting. These partnerships add a lot of runs and can change the game’s direction. This tells us that in Test cricket, being able to bat well is important for all players, even those who are in the team mainly for bowling. Teams that have players who can do well in both batting and bowling are stronger and can face tough situations better.
Author Bio
Hello, I’m Anupam Pathak, a devoted web content writer at Gamesys 11. My passion for cricket goes beyond just watching the games; I live and breathe every moment of them. As a dedicated observer of the sport, I bring a wealth of knowledge about cricketing stats and insights into my writing. I’m also adept in on-page and off-page SEO, ensuring that the content I create reaches a broad audience of cricket enthusiasts.
