After a shot of Scotch’s hardest, I’ve selected my favourite innings, along with some honourable mentions.
I’ve heeded Wisden’s guidelines in my overall selections. Above all, I’ve decided that victories (or draws that ultimately led to a series win) should take precedence. Also, I do concur with Wisden that away performances should be valued higher.
Honourable mentions:
Virender Sehwag – 201* v Sri Lanka, Galle 2008. India win
Kevin Pietersen – 158 v Australia, The Oval 2005. Draw
Mahela Jayawardene – 180 v England, Galle 2012. Sri Lanka win
Ricky Ponting – 156 v England, Manchester 2005. Draw
Best Innings: Faf du Plessis – 110* v Australia, Adelaide 2012. Draw
Personally, I’m still bewildered that Australia did not win this Test. When the Proteas had crumbled to be four down late on day four, I remember gleefully thinking Australia had not only won the Test, but that they would win the series and the coveted number one Test ranking.
More sadistically, I relished South Africa choking again.
Since readmission, South Africa had continually been haunted by Australia. They had won one Test series against Australia in two decades and infamously wilted twice to the Aussies in the ’99 World Cup – a tournament South Africa really should have won.
When du Plessis walked out to bat, South Africa had their collective pants down. Their vaunted pace attack had been eviscerated for two Tests by Clarke, Warner and (gulp) Cowan. Kallis had injured himself while bowling on the opening day and their top-order was lifeless under pressure in the second dig.
It was inconceivable a debutant could save his side’s hide, after two decades of South African struggles.
Of course, du Plessis conjured the impossible and resisted Australia’s attack for more than a day. Inevitably, South Africa destroyed Australia in the deciding Test to win the series.
Taking heed from history, I truly doubt South Africa could have recovered if they had lost in Adelaide.
And wouldn’t that have altered how we perceive South Africa? They wouldn’t be top of the ICC rankings now, but more importantly, they would have lost credibility in the cricket world.
We wouldn’t view them as a great side. They would merely be mired with England, Australia and India as good but flawed outfits.
Now? South Africa is undisputedly Test’s king. They have played with swagger – so unlike South Africa – since Adelaide.
I believe they have a chance to at least evoke memories of previous Australian and West Indian powerhouses, and ruthlessly dominate this era.
One day, du Plessis’ epic may be remembered as the genesis for South Africa transforming from a very good to a great team, like when Gilchrist/Langer’s amazing partnership in Hobart against Pakistan kick-started Australia’s utter dominance of the next eight years.
That’s why I value du Plessis’ heroics – it’s instilled an unmistakable confidence in South Africa. Time will tell if it equates to long-term dominance.
I suppose the arguments against the knock would be that James Pattinson – Australia’s strike bowler – was unable to bowl in the second dig. Plus, Australia was relying on Nathan Lyon to spin them to victory.
A few months later Lyon had been replaced by Xavier Doherty (cut to Aussie fans shuddering) during the Indian tour. So obviously it wasn’t a great Aussie attack. They were too reliant on Peter Siddle – who I would rate as perhaps Australia’s fourth best pace bowler.
All things considered, this is my suggestion for the best knock in the last 12 years.
Ok, I’ll now brace for a bout of bile. Over to you.
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