5 times tailenders surprised everyone with their batting in Test cricket

Watching a game of test cricket is always fascinating, as fortunes keep fluctuating from one side to another. It becomes even more fun if a tailender is at the crease, as he keeps one entertained throughout

Legends of the game like Muttiah Muralitharan, Courtney Walsh, Glenn Mcgrath have all entertained us with their twitchy batting style and sportive nature. However, these lower order batsmen even surprised themselves occasionally with lusty blows around the park, evoking widespread appreciation from the audience.

Let us now take a look at some of the evergreen shots/knocks played by tailenders in Test cricket.

#1 Chris Martin

Chris Martin has to be one of the worst tailenders of all time, as he still holds quite a few dubious batting records. He has seven pairs (ducks in both the innings) in Test cricket, which is the most in cricket history and is only the second cricketer, after BS Chandrasekhar, to have scored lesser runs with the bat than the number of wickets taken.

Martin scored 123 runs and took 233 wickets in 71 Test matches, finishing as the third highest wicket-taker for New Zealand in Test history.

However, on a particular occasion, New Zealand were on the brink of a Test defeat at home against Australia. With the score at 295, Chris Martin played a near perfect cover drive off Mitchell Johnson.

The crowd went delirious as did the commentators on air, as they were awestruck by that wonderful shot. Even Martin and his partner at the other end, Tim Southee saw the funny side to that exquisite shot.