5 worst run rates in a Test innings of 100 overs or more

Hashim Amla led South Africa's batting resistanceThe fourth and final Test of the Gandhi-Mandela series saw India winning by 337 runs but not after a 143.1-over resistance from the South African batsmen. Strangely, though, only 143 runs were scored in such a huge number of overs resulting in a meagre run rate of 0.99 for the visitors in their last innings of the tour.This statistic has handed the Proteas a dubious record of having the worst run rate in a Test innings of over 100 overs. However, this is certainly not the first instance of a team batting at a snail-like run rate in Test cricket history.Here are 5 of the slowest Test innings (100 overs plus) ever recorded by a team:

#5 South Africa against Australia, Adelaide, 1994

Gary Kirsten's patient 42 did not turn out to be enough to save the Proteas from a loss

Runs Scored / Overs Played – 129 / 105.5

Innings run rate – 1.21

The Delhi Test was certainly not the first instance of South African batsmen going into a super-defensive mode in order to save a Test. In the 3rd Test of the 1994 Test series between South Africa and Australia played at Adelaide, the visitors scored at a run rate of 1.21 in their 2nd innings.

Needing 321 to win the Test, South Africa tried their best to achieve a draw on the final day but failed as they were bowled out for 129 after playing out 105.5 overs. Peter Kirsten top scored for the Proteas with a marathon 42 from 229 deliveries while Fanie de Villiers scored 30 from 170.

This was the 5th lowest run rate recorded by a team in a Test innings of 100 overs or more.