Top 5 Test batting performances from the first half of 2015
The first half of 2015 is done and dusted with Sri Lanka’s clinical win over Pakistan. With the World Cup and New Zealand’s exuberance in it dominating headlines in the first quarter of the year, Test cricket had taken a backseat. Only 15 Tests have been played over the last 6 months, 6 of them by West Indies and one a rain-marred India-Bangladesh clash. The second half of the year promises to be much more delectable with the Ashes, Ind-SA, Aus-NZ, Eng-SA, Eng-Pak, Ind-SL lined up.The contest between bat and ball has been a relatively even one, with the needle perhaps slightly inclined towards the bat. Steve Smith, Kane Williamson, Joe Root have had extended purple patches. Alastair Cook looks to be getting back to his prodding best, whilst the likes of BJ Watling, Jermaine Blackwood, Azhar Ali, and Asad Shafiq have grown in stature. At the other end of the spectrum, Yasir Shah has thrilled with his leg spin, Starc and Hazlewood have announced themselves in style before the Ashes, and Trent Boult, Jerome Taylor, Ravi Ashwin have dazzled in patches.There have been many instances of individual batting brilliance which have not just enthralled fans and critics alike but have also been important in the context of the game. Taking into account multiple factors (including, but not limited to, Quality of opposition / bowling, Pitch, Home/Away, Match situation, quality of partners etc.), these are the five best Test innings of the first half of 2015:Honorable Mentions – Tamim Iqbal’s 206 against Pakistan and Virat Kohli’s 147 against Australia were both pristine, counter-attacking innings of substance which helped their teams draw the matches against better bowling attacks. Steve Smith’s belligerent 199 against West Indies chartered a huge win for the Aussies, and was spectacular to watch, albeit against a weak bowling attack.
#1 Kane Williamson 242* (NZ vs SL, 2nd Test Basin Reserve, Wellington)
New Zealand was playing an exciting brand of cricket. Their aggressive, high-risk style was winning hearts and matches aplenty. The last time they had lost a Test match at home was way back in March, 2012 against the South Africans. Sri Lanka threatened to disturb the equilibrium. Bundling the Kiwis for 221 in their first innings, the Sri Lankan Master, Sangakkara, produced a batting masterclass, notching up 203 for his 11th double ton, helping Sri Lanka to 356 – with a lead of 135 runs.
The Lankans then had the Kiwis on the ropes at 159-5, having a lead of just 24 runs, and a realistic risk of losing an enviable home record. Watling joined Williamson, who was 38*, and they stayed put for the next 112 overs. The twosome blunted everything that was thrown at them. Sri Lanka didn’t do many favours to themselves as they snaffled multiple chances of Williamson’s bat.
Willamson notched up his first double ton, and with some assistance from Watling, helped his team go from a disastrous 24-5 to a match-winning lead of 389. New Zealand won the match by a comfortable margin of 193 runs.
The startlingly docile pitch, uninspired fielding, and BJ Watling’s doggedness helped Kane overcome a tenacious effort from the Lankan bowlers. A 2nd innings double ton to get the team out of a sticky spot, and being involved in a world record 6th wicket partnership earns this innings a place among the top 5.