Nervous 290s: 7 times a batsman missed the 300-run mark while in the 290s
Nervous 90s is a common phenomenon in the world of cricket. Being in the 90s - just a few runs away from a 100 - is a challenging period which often takes a toll on the batsman's focus, thus resulting in a moment of error.
Many label the act of getting out in the 90s as unlucky, simply because the batsman misses out on a glorious opportunity to raise his bat in celebration by just a few runs.
But there is another phenomenon in the world of cricket known as "nervous 290s", which is not as common. Only a handful of batsmen have been victims of this, and it is fair to say that missing out on the magical 300-run mark is even more disappointing than falling short of a century.
Not many men have had the opportunity to score a triple-century in Test cricket, simply because a performance like that happens just once in a blue moon.
Here, we list the seven occasions when a batsman missed the 300-run mark while in the 290s:
#7 Ross Taylor vs Australia, 2015 - 290
Back in 2015, New Zealand went to Australia for a three-match Test series. The Aussies won the first match pretty comfortably, thrashing their arch-rivals by 208 runs, to take the lead in the series.
The hosts carried their impressive form to the second Test as well as they registered a formidable total of 559/9 to put New Zealand under pressure. The Kiwis had their backs against the wall and looked set for another defeat at the hands of their fierce opponents.
With both openers failing to deliver, Ross Taylor stepped up to play one of the finest innings ever by a visiting batsman on Australian soil. He took charge and forged a commendable partnership with Kane Williamson to help New Zealand get back into the match.
Taylor smashed a total of 43 fours in his historic knock of 290 as he hit the Australian bowlers all around the park. His phenomenal innings meant that the series was still alive.
Taylor's masterful knock fell short of the monumental 300-run mark by just 10 runs as he fell prey to Nathon Lyon's trickery while on 290.
Also see – Dream 11 prediction