Five Players Who Scored a Century While Batting Below Number Eight

Scoring a century in Tests is a dream for many and when the individual is a bowler then it is perhaps something that it would not even cross his mind in nutshell.

Well, not every bowler in the world throws away his wicket. There are some exceptions who keep a prize on their wicket.

In the rich history of Test cricket, there have been instances when a bowler scored a fine ton.

And what made it even more fascinating is that they did while batting below number nine.

So, here we take a look at those players who scored a century against all the odds:

5. Jayant Yadav – 104 vs England, Mumbai, 2016:

India were 364 for seven when Jayant Yadav walked into bat – to join skipper Virat Kohli during the Mumbai Test against England. With England scoring 400 runs in their first innings, another wicket at that stage would have proved costly for India.

Kohli was going strong from one end and needed support from the other.

Well, he could not have asked for a better support as Yadav showed his batting talent.

Coming in at number nine, the off-spinner scored 104 and added 241 runs with Kohli.

As a result, India’s innings ended on 631. India had gone on to win the game by an innings and 36 runs.

4. Shaun Pollock (South Africa) – 111 Against Sri Lanka, Centurion, 2001:

Batting first, South Africa were reeling at 204 for seven when Shaun Pollock walked into bat and rescued his side.

Pollock added 150 runs for the eighth wicket with Neil McKenzie, who scored 103. The South Africa skipper went on to score 111 at a stunning strike-rate of 104.71.

The knock came off 106 balls and was studded with 16 fours and three sixes. As a result, South Africa scored 378 and went on to win the match by an innings and seven runs.

3. Jack Gregory (Australia) – 100 Against England, Melbourne, 1921:

Jack Gregory laid the foundation for Australia’s huge win against England at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCC).

Batting first, Australia were 282 for seven when Gregory joined Nip Pellew. The duo added 173 for the eighth wicket. Gregory reached his ton off just 115 balls. He had gone on to pick seven wickets, helping Australia to enforce the follow-on.

England eventually lost by an innings and 91 runs.

2. Lance Klusener (South Africa) – 102* Against India, Cape Town, 1997:

Lance Klusener walked into bat against India at his home ground in Cape Town when the scoreboard was already reading a commanding 382 for seven.

And what followed was total carnage. Klusener slammed 102 not out off just 100 balls with the help of 13 fours and a solitary six as South Africa declared on 529 for seven.

Klusener added 147 unbeaten runs with the other centurion, Brian McMillan (103). South Africa eventually won the match by a massive 282 runs.

1. Stuart Broad – 169 Against Pakistan, Lord’s, 2010:

Stuart Broad played one of the finest knocks by a tail-ender during the controversial Lord’s Test against Pakistan. He had scored a sublime century (169) which is still the second highest score by a batsman at number nine or lower.

Sadly, the game will be forever remembered for the spot-fixing scandal. Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif had deliberately bowled no-balls and the world quickly forgot about Broad’s exploits.

Coming to the game, England were reeling at 102 for seven when Broad joined Jonathon Trott, who scored 184. England eventually posted 446 and won the match by an innings and 225 runs.