Best innings.

Originally posted by BOBBI I know we are on the Lara topic but am I the only one to recall Michael Athertons 175* against the likes of Donald, Pollock and co. He survived for 10 hours.

Anytime brett lee bats then.

What about Stan McCabe's 232?

The innings where Bradman said something along the lines of 'I wish I could bat like that'

I certainly didn't see it but if Bradman says that, it must've been good.

In more recent times, Greg Chappell vs New Zealand where he was out of form and belted Hadlee and Co on a green wicket.

Damien Martyn played a couple of brilliant ones in Sri Lanka and India.

Yeah i didn't see that but i reckon the best innings was Jayawardne's 374

Bobbi - I remember well Athertons 185 not out v South Africa, Johannesburg 1995.

It was a seemingly lost cause for England to save the Test match, but Atherton endured a 645-minute examination to defy the best efforts of South Africa's bowlers.  Donald was particularly destructive, he and Pollock peppering Athers with short pitched balls, hitting him frequently.  Not being a great fan of Atherton I have to say it was one of the bravest knocks I've ever seen.  His innings included 28 boundaries, and his unbroken 119-run sixth wicket stand with Jack Russell ensured England scraped to safety.

 

Lara's 400 is certainly the most overrated knock of all time - apart from the egotistical "I've got the highest test score" what did it achieve.

For really making a difference I'd be torn to decide between Atherton's 185 v SA and Botham's Headingley adventure. 

Clobbers right, the Atherton innings couldn't have been done without Russell as well who scored 25 off 235 balls . Its a shame Atherton always got out in the 80s and 90s, he could have been one of Englands greats.

i think the best innings is unbeaten 400 runs Lara scored against the England

Originally posted by W.G. For really making a difference I'd be torn to decide between Atherton's 185 v SA and Botham's Headingley adventure.

  I saw both at 1st hand WG and Athers's knock was far , far better than Beefy's.
   Botham admitted that when Dilley walked in and asked what do we do? Beefy replied , Just give it a bash!"  The game seemed lost , the pitch was up and down and he rode his luck!  It was highly entertaining and that it led to a famous victory makes the memory all the sweeter.
   Atherton's vigil was all the more compelling because England were written off. Remember Botham's England of '81 was a far better side than Atherton's of '95. The newspapers in SA expected England to roll over by mid-afternoon at the latest. 4 wickets had fallen in the final session of day 4 and Robin Smith and Athers were the last two recognised batsmen.
   In Athers' favour was a wicket that hadn't broken up but was taking turn. The bounce was even and there was little seam movement. Against that was a very quick Donald , backed up by the likes of Matthews and McMillan. The spinner , leftarm orhodox Clive Ecksteen was admired by the locals , but I thought him innocuous and was more worried about the seam attack and particularly AD!
    It's history now , but Smith almost got to lunch before being caught at third man and then Jack Russell drove the South Africans mad with his own method of leaving!
     I don't remember a chance being given by Athers , it was wonderful , gritty stuff on a very hot day - I felt like we'd won when Cronje offered the draw!!
     Casualties of that match were Ramprakash (again!) and Ecksteen , who went wicketless and never played for SA again.
    


Edited by Sledger - 25 January 2007 at 7:18am

Agreed - 100%

I felt quite guilty that I urinated on the great man's shoes whilst sharing a portaloo at the Rose Bowl last year!!

Originally posted by sl_crew i think the best innings is unbeaten 400 runs Lara scored against the England

Originally posted by sl_crew i also believe the best innings was 194 runs scored by saheed Anwer against india

nothing like knowing your own mind

Originally posted by burmesedays There are so many which could be recounted here...   One which is forever etched into my memory is Gordon Greendige's 214 at Lords in 1984, made of course when injured and in a run chase. West Indies achieved the target of 344 for the loss of one wicket and Greenidge made 214 of them!    And the English bowling attack that day was not too bad at all (Botham, Willis, Foster... I will not bother mentioning Pringle).  In fact Botham had an 8fer in the 1st innings.   Fabulous player was Gordon and this had to be his best kncok.

Dont forget it was off about 230 balls. I dont think he gave a chance. All balls went where they were supposed to.

Lara's 400 can never be counted as the best innings ever. It was the most benign of pitches but I got to say, it takes real guts to do it but.......

Originally posted by W.G. Lara's 400 is certainly the most overrated knock of all time - apart from the egotistical "I've got the highest test score" what did it achieve.