Generally when in a test match the day’s play is about to end and only 10-15 overs are left, the batting side tries to protect their main batters in order to preserve them for the morning session of the next day. The bowlers are sent to bat so that the batting side can end the day’s play without losing the wicket of a main batsman. That bowler who is sent to bat ahead of the batsman is called Night Watchman. In this article we shall talk about those players who scored ton as a nightwatchman
Mark Boucher – Probably the best wicketkeeper batsman that has come out of Proteas. During the 2nd test match of 1999 South Africa tour of Zimbabwe, Mark scored 125 off 236 balls and played for the whole day.South Africa scored 432 in the first innings which proves to be too many for Zimbabwe as they lost the match by an innings and 219 runs. Mark Boucher and Shaun Pollock became Man of the Match.Mark’s innings of 125 is still the 2nd highest individual score by a nightwatchman.
Syed Kirmani – The wicketkeeper batsman from India who was also a part of the 1983 World Cup winning squad has also played one such hell of a knock as a night watchman. During the sixth test in the 1979 Australia tour of India, Syed scored magnificent 101 against the mighty Aussie bowling attack. Sunil Gavaskar got out in the initial overs and Syed was sent as a night watchman. He showed great temperament and India won that match by an innings and 100 runs.
Tony Mann – The Aussie leg spinner who represented Australia in 4 test matches played a match winning knock against India during the second test match of the 1977India tour of Australia. He came to bat at no.3 in the fourth innings and scored superb 105 to help his team chase the target of 339 runs. Despite his heroics he was dropped soon after the series got over. But nevertheless his match innings will be remembered forever.
Jason Gillespie – The tall Aussie pace bowler who was an integral part of the team from mid 1990s to early 2000s has the record of scoring most number of runs as a nightwatchman.In a test match against Bangladesh in 2006. Jason played his career best innings of 201 runs which helped Australia to post a mammoth total of 581. Australia easily won that match by an innings and series as well. Jason became Man of the Match and Man of the series as well.
Mark Boucher – He became the first night watchman to score a ton twice. In the same year 1999, Mark again scored a brilliant 108 off 220 balls against England in the third test of the 1999 England tour of South Africa. South Africa posted a total of 572 in second innings which included an innings of 275 by Gary Kirsten. The match was ultimately drawn.
