5 Best ‘Night-Watchman’ Innings in Test Cricket

1. Jason Gillespie (Australia)

Match: Australia vs Bangladesh | April 16-20 2006 | Chattogram, Bangladesh | Scorecard

Score: 201* (425 balls)
Batting Position: Number 3

Hosts Bangladesh decided to bat first after winning the toss; a decision that completely backfired for them. They could only aggregate 197 runs in the first innings as the Australian trio of Jason Gillespie, Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne picked up 3 wickets apiece.

Batting against a relatively weak bowling attack, the Australian openers stitched a partnership of 67 but Matthew Hayden got out just a few overs before the end of day’s play of the first day. Jason Gillespie walked out to bat in the form of a night watchman but did way more than what was expected of him. He ended the first day unbeaten on 5.

Next day, he batted the all of it yet again remaining unbeaten on 102. He started playing even more conveniently in the third day and completed his double century off 425 deliveries. Ricky Ponting, the Australian skipper, declared the innings after Gillespie’s double hundred and the scorecard at that time showed the team’s score 581/4.

Gillespie’s score of 201* is the highest score made by a nightwatchman batsman till date. Trailing by 384 runs, Bangladesh did all they could but it was just too much for an inexperienced side.

Australia folded the Bangladesh innings for 304 runs securing a huge victory by an innings and 80 runs.