Test cricket is referred to as the purest format of the game. It is also the oldest format in the world. The game can take over a period of up to five days depending on the intensity. Test cricket is not always about cricketing skills but also about physical and mental endurance.
The game can change at any instant and it is absolutely imperative for the players to possess great skill, technique, patience, and temperament. It is because the players will have to bat, bowl, field over a long period of time.
Meanwhile, batting in the fourth innings is quite a challenge because the pitch tends to worsen and becomes quite tough to bat on as the match goes on. The pressure is always high on the batting team as they are tasked to chase down a target to win the match or play out a draw.
The cricket fraternity has witnessed sharp turn, unpredictable bounce, thus making it harder to play shots with confidence. If the game gets stretched to the final day, the cracks might open up, making the ball deviate off the surface which can cause problems to the batsmen.
Wisden picks All Time 4th Innings Test XI
Meanwhile, Wisden picked all-time fourth innings Test XI and surprisingly, VVS Laxman, one of the greatest batters in Test cricket didn’t make it to the Test XI. VVS Laxman is often regarded as “God of 4th innings” because of his calmness and temperament to win games for India under pressure in the fourth innings.
Sunil Gavaskar and Graeme Smith have been chosen as an opening pair whereas Don Bradman and Ricky Ponting have been slotted at No.3 and 4. Ponting has been made the captain of the 4th innings Test XI. The likes of Younis Khan, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper) and Sir Garry Sobers come next on the list. Shane Warne, Curtly Ambrose, Rangana Herath and Glenn McGrath follow next on the list.
Wisden’s all-time 4th innings Test XI:
1. Sunil Gavaskar. 2. Graeme Smith. 3. Don Bradman. 4. Ricky Ponting (C). 5. Younis Khan. 6. Rishabh Pant (WK). 7. Garry Sobers. 8. Shane Warne. 9. Curtly Ambrose. 10. Rangana Herath. 11. Glenn McGrath.
