From Brendon McCullums historic achievement to a record breaking captaincy feat by Virat Kohli, here is a look at the top 10 Test innings of the year.
The year has witnessed some sterling knocks in the Test arena. From the gritty to the outstanding, from aggression to redemption, Test cricket has thrown up these knocks in 2014. Here is gocricket's list of the top 10 Test innings of the year.
1. Azhar Ali 103 vs Sri Lanka, Sharjah, January 2014
The new year witnessed a sterling performance from Pakistan and Azhar Ali. Chasing 302 in 60 overs in the third and final Test in Sharjah, Azhar started off cautiously, batted aggressively when a loose ball was bowled but all the time, he batted with a monk-like calmness. Azhar's style of play rubbed off on the others and Pakistan ended up chasing the target in 57.2 overs. His knock of 103 off 137 balls, with six fours, was his fifth century and it helped Pakistan draw the series 1-1. In fading light and amidst negative tactics from Sri Lanka, Azhar's knock had provided the Test world a bright spark.
2. Brendon McCullum 302 vs India, Wellington, February 2014
New Zealand were staring down the barrel in the second Test against India and looked on their way to squandering their 1-0 lead. Trailing by 246 runs and already 94 for 5 in the second innings, India were closing in on victory. However, Brendon McCullum produced an innings that changed the landscape of New Zealand cricket.
He shared a 346-run stand with BJ Watling for the sixth wicket and a 179-run stand with debutant Jimmy Neesham. Along the way, McCullum battled injuries to his knee, shoulder and back and demonstrated admirable ability in his concentration. Every run was getting cheered and every record was cheered. In the 200th over of the innings, McCullum steered a ball from Zaheer Khan and created history to become New Zealand's first triple centurion. His 302 included 32 fours and four sixes as New Zealand drew the match to notch up their first series win against India in 12 years.
3. Michael Clarke 161 vs South Africa, Cape Town, March 2014
Clarke was under tremendous pressure heading into the final Test of the series. His form had slumped and there were questions about his captaincy after a heavy defeat in the previous Test in Port Elizabeth. When Clarke walked out to bat, he was greeted by a ferocious spell from Morne Morkel but withstood the bouncer barrage, took blows on his body and was beaten a lot of times. He slowly got going and unfurled his range of strokes as the innings progressed. After getting stranded for 25 balls on 99, Clarke managed to score his 27th Test century and he helped Australia build a solid base for victory. Afterwards, it was revealed that he was batting with a broken shoulder.
4. David Warner 135 and 145 vs South Africa, Cape Town, March 2014
While Clarke was getting battered and bruised, Warner was systematically tearing the South African attack to shreds. He cut, pulled and drove with confidence to notch up his seventh hundred off only 104 balls. In the next innings, Warner continued his brutal approach. The aggression was sustained and no South African bowler was spared. He became the first overseas batsman to score twin centuries in Cape Town and his 145 included 13 fours and four sixes to give Australia a famous win.
5. Joe Root 200* vs Sri Lanka, Lords, June 2014
Root continued his love affair with Lords. He had scored 180 against Australia at Lords in 2013 and he started off the 2014 summer with a bang. Right from the start, Root looked solid and hardly played a false stroke while rotating the strike consistently. He maintained a decent scoring rate right through the innings to notch up a wonderful hundred. It was a knock that helped Root emerge out of a lean patch following the 5-0 thrashing in Australia. Root continued to make smooth progress and he became the fourth-youngest England batsman to score a double-century.
6. Angelo Mathews 160 vs England, Leeds, June 2014
It was a knock that defined the term leading from the front. Sri Lanka in trouble during the second Test against England in Leeds, having conceded a 108-run lead and sitting at 277 for 7 in their second innings. But Mathews exploited the gaps in the outfield and turned the tables on England. He batted aggressively, cautiously and farmed the strike admirably. His aggression went up one level after going past his century. His 149-run stand with Rangana Herath for the eighth wicket put Sri Lanka in the driver's seat and they ended up on 457. Mathews' knock was a real boost for his team and it allowed Sri Lanka to register their first Test series win against England since 1998.
7. Ajinkya Rahane 103 vs England, Lords, July 2014
England dished out a green pitch at Lords, which meant plenty of swing and bounce. India were confronted with the demons that had haunted them on overseas tours. At 145 for 7, a familiar script was been played out but Rahane changed the course of the match with a knock that symbolised his coming of age.
He showed admirable judgment around the offstump and watched the ball carefully. He managed to handle the swinging conditions better and used the drive admirably. When England dished out the short-pitched stuff, Rahane used the cut and pull well. His timing was a treat to watch and he scored his second Test century. His 110-run stand for the eighth wicket with Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped India break their jinx at Lords and they registered a win at the venue after 28 years.
He showed admirable judgment around the offstump and watched the ball carefully. He managed to handle the swinging conditions better and used the drive admirably. When England dished out the short-pitched stuff, Rahane used the cut and pull well. His timing was a treat to watch and he scored his second Test century. His 110-run stand for the eighth wicket with Bhuvneshwar Kumar helped India break their jinx at Lords and they registered a win at the venue after 28 years.
8. Younus Khan 106 and 103* vs Australia, Dubai, October 2014
Younus has been Pakistan's unsung match-winner since his debut in 2000. Pakistan had won only one Test against Australia in the last 15 years and they started off on a poor note when they were reduced to 7 for 2 in the first innings. But Younus weathered the storm and dropped anchor.
He had scored just one run in his first 34 balls but was ensuring that Pakistan got through the tough period unscathed. He got going when spin was introduced and he used the sweep effectively. He got to his 25th Test century with a six off Nathan Lyon to become the first Pakistan batsman to score centuries against all Test playing nations. In the second innings, Ahmed Shehzad carted the Australian bowling to all parts of the ground but Younus quietly and clinically ground Australia down to score back-to-back centuries. He became the first Pakistan batsman to score twin centuries against Australia and Pakistan registered their first Test win against Australia in the UAE.
He had scored just one run in his first 34 balls but was ensuring that Pakistan got through the tough period unscathed. He got going when spin was introduced and he used the sweep effectively. He got to his 25th Test century with a six off Nathan Lyon to become the first Pakistan batsman to score centuries against all Test playing nations. In the second innings, Ahmed Shehzad carted the Australian bowling to all parts of the ground but Younus quietly and clinically ground Australia down to score back-to-back centuries. He became the first Pakistan batsman to score twin centuries against Australia and Pakistan registered their first Test win against Australia in the UAE.
9. Kane Williamson 192 vs Pakistan, Sharjah, November 2014
The Test was played amidst the tragic death of Phillip Hughes. However, Kane Williamson, along with McCullum, produced knocks that quickly dispelled the gloom. Williamson oozed class, confidence and style. His use of the feet to the spinners and his supreme timing were a sight to behold. He used his feet wonderfully to smother the spin and played the pacers comfortably off the back foot.
He brought up his eighth Test century and he punished every loose ball that came his way. Williamson fell for 192 but his 297-run stand with McCullum helped New Zealand achieve their first Test victory over Pakistan since 2009. It continued a match-winning year for Williamson. In the previous series against the West Indies, his century in Kingston and Barbados ensured New Zealand won a series in the West Indies after 12 years.
He brought up his eighth Test century and he punished every loose ball that came his way. Williamson fell for 192 but his 297-run stand with McCullum helped New Zealand achieve their first Test victory over Pakistan since 2009. It continued a match-winning year for Williamson. In the previous series against the West Indies, his century in Kingston and Barbados ensured New Zealand won a series in the West Indies after 12 years.
10. Virat Kohli 115 and 141 vs Australia, Adelaide, December 2014
On India's previous trip to Australia in 2011, Kohli's 116 in Adelaide was the lone bright spot in a 4-0 drubbing. In the first Test of the series in Adelaide in 2014-15, Kohli stood tall and almost gave India a famous win. In the first innings, he was hit on the helmet by Mitchell Johnson but he recovered from that blow to start positively.
He played both spin and pace with confidence to bring up his seventh Test century. In the second innings, chasing 364 on the final day, Kohli once again stepped up to the plate and his 185-run partnership with Murali Vijay got India close. On a wearing pitch, he tackled Lyon well by playing him off the back foot and using the sweep well. In the process, Kohli became the first batsman to score twin tons on debut as captain overseas but with his dismissal on 141, India lost the initiative and gave Australia victory by 48 runs. Once again, amidst the gloom, Kohli had given India a bright spark.
He played both spin and pace with confidence to bring up his seventh Test century. In the second innings, chasing 364 on the final day, Kohli once again stepped up to the plate and his 185-run partnership with Murali Vijay got India close. On a wearing pitch, he tackled Lyon well by playing him off the back foot and using the sweep well. In the process, Kohli became the first batsman to score twin tons on debut as captain overseas but with his dismissal on 141, India lost the initiative and gave Australia victory by 48 runs. Once again, amidst the gloom, Kohli had given India a bright spark.
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