West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves' 180-run knock in the second Test against Sri Lanka took the Caribbean unit to a 21-year batting high.
Justin Greaves and Shai Hope dig deep for West Indies as second Test approaches draw
Greaves and Shai Hope (112) both scored centuries, adding 242 runs for the fifth wicket after the West Indies went down to 144-4. Their partnership took the home side to 499 all out in reply to Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 549-9.
While this was Hope's third century in his last five Tests, Greaves’s 180-run knock in Antigua meant the home side now have three batters to have played a knock of 150 or more in the series - a 21-year first for the West Indies. In the opening Test, Amir Jangoo and Roston Chase played knocks of 233 and 194 runs, respectively, paving the way for their second-biggest Test win at home - by an innings and 217 runs.
When was the last time three or more West Indies batters hit 150 in a Test series?
The last time three or more West Indies batters hit a 150 in the same series was in 2005, against South Africa. Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Brian Lara all smashed big hundreds in the four-match Test series at home.
In fact, Lara registered two 150-plus scores in the series, scoring 196 and 176 runs at Port of Spain and Bridgetown, respectively. It was a high-scoring Test series, with a total of 14 centuries hit. Despite big scores from the West Indies batters, South Africa won the series 2-0.
Players | Runs Scored | Ground | Match Date |
Chris Gayle | 317 runs | St John’s | 29 April, 2005 |
Wavell Hinds | 213 runs | Georgetown | 31 March, 2005 |
Shivnarine Chanderpaul | 203* runs | Georgetown | 31 March, 2005 |
Brian Lara | 196 runs | Port of Spain | 8 April, 2005 |
Brian Lara | 176 runs | Bridgetown | 21 April, 2005 |
Other than these two instances, there have only been five more series where at least three West Indies batters hit a 150. Before 2005, it was on West Indies' tour of England in 1973 and New Zeland's tour of the Caribbean in 1971-72 that three 150s were scored. The other three instances were - two-Test home series against Pakistan in 1957-58 and against England in 1953-54. Their first such milestone came on the tour of India in 1948-49.
Meanwhile, the game is seemingly heading towards a draw with only the final day’s play left. After gaining a 50-run lead in the first innings, the visitors ended the fourth day at 92-2, stretching their lead to 142.
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