Top cricketers who got stuck on 99 not out in Tests
In the history of Test cricket, there are only seven instances where some batters were left stranded on an unbeaten 99 runs.
2. Shaun Pollock vs Sri Lanka in 2002
In 2002, South Africa hosted Sri Lanka for a couple of Tests and five ODIs. After the convincing triumph by an innings and 64 runs against the island nation in the opening Test, the Proteas were looking to dominate the visitors in the second Test at SuperSport Park and seal the red-ball series. The South Africa skipper, Shaun Pollock, invited Sri Lanka to bat first after the coin tossed in his favour.
Unlike the first Test, Sri Lanka batters showed some resistance and ended up their first innings at a decent score of 323. Hashan Tilakaratne played a 104-run knock and notched up his maiden and only century on South African soil. Replying to Sri Lanka, South Africa scored 448 runs and took a huge lead of 125 runs.
Shaun Pollock became the highest scorer for his team in the innings, with his unbeaten 99-run knock. Pollock could’ve completed a century for South Africa if their last man Makhaya Ntini had spent a few more minutes at the crease. In the second innings, Sri Lanka bowlers showed some fight while saving 121 but eventually, the Proteas held their nerves and took the game away with three wickets in hand. In South Africa’s intriguing win, Pollock became the Player of the Match.
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