subject: The Top 5 Innings In Cricket That Rescued Games [print this page] Test cricket has always thrown up psychological battles, and Alistair Cook's recent innings of 235 counts as one of the very finest innings in the history of the game. A player who, for the last year, has been out of sorts, suddenly discovered his form - largely by forgetting everything the coaches had told him and concentrating on what made him a good batsman in the first place. It was a rescue innings that matured into a great innings - so here are my top 5 rescue innings in cricket - at least in my memory. Innings that have saved a game from an almost unwinnable position. Some are odd choices, some are obvious, but all were memorable.
5. Mark Butcher, 173 vs Australia at Headingley
England were doing their very best to lose another Ashes test, with Australia setting them 315 to win in the final innings, with Atherton and Trescothick already back in the hutch early on with hardly any runs on the board. Up stepped Mark Butcher, scoring an imperious 173 off just 227 balls on the final day to single-handedly win the test for England. Messrs McGrath and Warne were made to look average, no mean feat against two bowlers in their prime.
4. Ian Botham, 149 vs Australia at Headingley
A coincidence, yes, but another Ashes test at Headingley produced one of the most memorable rescue innings in the history of the game. With England having been forced to follow-on by Australia, the wickets tumbled. Ian Botham was joined by Graham Dilley at 135-7, and the two put on 117 in just 88 balls - Botham knocking the Aussie bowlers for six after six, and finally carving out a narrow lead. Australia were all out for just 111, and England won the game thanks to one of the most audacious rescue innings in the history of the game.
3. Kevin Pietersen, 158 vs Australia, The Oval
Another Ashes test, and another final day thriller in which England were wobbling dangerously. Needing a draw to win the Ashes for the first time in nearly twenty years, England had lost early wickets and needed a long innings from someone to hold off the resurgent Australians. Up stepped youngster Pietersen, in his first Test series, to smash the Australian attack all around the Oval with an innings as audacious as it was skilful. A dropped catch by Shane Warne only added to the drama - this was a hugely dramatic day for English cricket, and one of the most memorable.
2. Michael Atherton, 185 vs South Africa, Johannesburg
Requiring 479 to win in the last five innings of the game, England appeared well and truly beaten in Johannesburg. All thoughts of winning the game were banished, and Michael Atherton, England captain, settled in to play his trademark defensive game. A battle ensued with South African fast bowler Allan Donald, who stared down Atherton ball after ball, with one of the most aggressive performances of his career. Bouncer followed bouncer, and Atherton shrugged them all off. He faced 492 balls - an innings in the old style that denied South Africa victory, and hurt them hard - and he felt fresh afterwards. Amazing.
1. VVS Laxman, 281 vs Australia, Kolkata
Perhaps the greatest innings of the modern era, surpassing Lara's 375 which was achieved on a batsman-friendly flat pitch against a frankly average England attack. India were invited to follow on by Australia, and VVS Laxman, the only batsman to surpass 50 in India's first innings, was promoted to number 3. 274 runs behind, India needed an innings, and VVS Laxman provided a masterclass. What was most impressive about Laxman's innings was the consistency - fluid strokeplay from start to finish. He rescued India from an innings defeat and provided victory against the best side in the world. The best innings of modern times, by a long chalk.
