3 Players who played the longest individual innings by minutes in Tests

Dec 13, 2024

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3 Players who played the longest individual innings by minutes in Tests

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3 Players who played the longest individual innings by minutes in Tests Hanif Mohammad. (Photo by Getty Images)

With the cricket world barrelling towards the shorter formats, Test cricket continues to maintain its class and longevity. The longest format continues to impress the fans with stellar performances from many big names. With the crowd favouring T20 cricket more and more, the longest format is beginning to be sidelined. However, Test cricket continues to be a game of patience, and there have been many instances where players have made major impacts. Continuing on the same,

Let us have a look at three longest innings in Test cricket:

3. Alastair Cook (836 minutes)

Alastair Cook's 263 vs PAK - October 2015 — Alastair Cook’s 263 vs PAK – October 2015. (Photo Source: ECB)

Former England batter Alastair Cook was one of the best batters of the longest format in his time. The supreme opener has the record of playing the third-longest Test innings in history. He achieved the feat against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi in the first Test of the series in October 2015.

The clash began with Pakistan batting first and declaring after posting a total of 523 runs on the scoreboard. However, little did they know that Alastair Cook had one of the greatest innings in store for them. Opening the innings for England, Cook amassed 263 runs in 528 deliveries. Throughout his mammoth knock, the Southpaw stood at the crease for a staggering 836 minutes, which remains the third-longest Test innings in history.

As for the game, the clash ended in a draw after both England and Pakistan put in a valiant effort to get a result out of the game.

2. Gary Kirsten (878 minutes)

Gary Kirsten's 275 vs ENG - DEC 1999 — Gary Kirsten’s 275 vs ENG – DEC 1999. (Photo Source: CSA)

Former South Africa cricketer Gary Kirsten holds the record of the second-longest innings in Test cricket. The star player achieved the feat against England in the third Test of a series in December 1999. The clash saw England coming in to bat first and posting a total of 366 runs and declaring their innings. Coming out to bat, the Proteas only posted a total of 156 runs.

Furthermore, following on from the innings, Gary Kirsten opened the innings for South Africa and amassed a whopping 275 runs in 642 deliveries. He stood at the crease for a total of 878 minutes, which saw him play the second-longest innings in Test cricket history. As for the game, the game ended in a draw after spectacular performances from both teams.

1. Hanif Mohammad (970 minutes)

The longest-ever innings in Test cricket was played by former Pakistan cricketer Hanif Mohammad. He achieved the feat against the mighty West Indies in the first Test of a series in January 1958. Playing against the Windies in their prime was considered a hard enough feat, and to stay at the crease for a long period of time against the side’s lethal bowling attack proved to be too much of a task.

However, after the Windies posted a total of 579 runs in the first innings and limited Pakistan to a score of 106 runs, the side followed on, and it was the Hanif Mohammad show from then on. Opening the innings, Mohammad scored a total of 337 runs and stood at the crease for a total of 970 minutes, which saw him play the longest innings in Test cricket history ever recorded.