Chasing a daunting target of 550 runs in the final innings of the Test match, Nathan Astle stepped up big time for the Black Caps and smashed England bowlers around the park for fun and scored runs in quick succession. He was dismissed after scoring 222 runs in 168 balls. The fabulous knock included 28 boundaries and 11 sixes. However, even he wasn’t able to take New Zealand over the finish line as they got bowled out on 451 and England won the match by 98 runs.
Ben Stokes
2. Ben Stokes (England), 2016 – 163 balls
The England all-rounder came on to bat with The Three Lions at 167/4 against South Africa. After Joe Root also departed at the other end, Stokes along with Jonny Bairstow formed a partnership for the ages and both smacked amazing tons. Stokes went on to achieve an incredible feat as he scored the second-fastest double-century in Test cricket. He would depart after hitting 30 boundaries and 11 sixes in his knock of 258 runs in 198 balls. The stand between Stokes and Bairstow comprised of 399 runs.
Virender Sehwag
3. Virender Sehwag (India), 2009 – 168 balls
The Indian opening batter went berserk on the Sri Lankan bowling attack and made the Test match seem like a limited-over clash. Sehwag smashed every bowler that the Sri Lankans had to offer and that too with rather ease. He formed a brilliant 221-run stand with fellow opener Murali Vijay and another 227-run stand with Rahul Dravid before getting dismissed on 293 off 254 balls and missing out on a famous triple-century by a whisker. The knock comprised of 40 boundaries and 7 sixes.
Virender Sehwag
4. Virender Sehwag (India), 2006 – 182 balls
Sehwag showed his class against arch-rivals Pakistan by completely obliterating their bowlers and hitting them for boundaries in all corners of the stadium. He again went on to form an incredible partnership with Rahul Dravid who also scored a century as well. This time their stand comprised of 410 runs. Sehwag didn’t stop after scoring his ton and went on to reach his double-ton in fantastic fashion. Sehwag would get dismissed after scoring 254 runs off 247 balls, a knock in which he hit 47 boundaries and a six.
Brendon McCullum
5. Brendon McCullum (New Zealand), 2014 – 186 balls
The Kiwi skipper would go on to show an amazing batting performance along with fellow Kiwi batter Kane Williamson against Pakistan. Both the batters scored centuries and dismantled the Pakistan bowlers, however while Williamson was playing sensibly on one end, McCullum continued with his hard-hitting approach on the other. The latter would go on to score an incredible double-ton but would get dismissed soon after on 202 runs off 188 balls. This fabulous knock included 21 boundaries and 11 sixes.
