Published By: Saksham Mishra

Batsmen who carried the bat in ODIs

Carrying the bat is a unique occurrence in cricket when an opening batsman walks back to the pavilion unbeaten after his entire team has been dismissed.

It is an odd situation as you don't want all your teammates to be dismissed, but it is nonetheless special to carry your bat and remain at the crease from the beginning to the end of the innings of your team.

This shows the level of your application and grit, to hold on firm when all the pins are falling around you. Sometimes, it is also an indication of a bit of luck going in your favour.

No batsman in ODI Cricket has ever carried his bat on more than two occasions. Saeed Anwar struck an unbeaten century against Zimbabwe when carrying his bat in February 1995. His innings of 103 not out helped Pakistan to stitch together a total of 219.

Similarly, Nick Knight struck an unbeaten 125 against Pakistan and helped England to a total of 246 in September 1996. These are the most runs scored by any batsman carrying his bat in ODI cricket.

In the third ODI against Pakistan, England lost opener Alec Stewart, who could not combat the swing and seam of Wasim Akram. Wickets kept falling for England but Knight ensured that he kept doing his best. Despite that, Pakistan won the match by two wickets and Wasim Akram was given the Man of the Match for his brilliant figures of 10-1-45-3 which broke the back of the England batting line-up.

Other players to have scored a century while carrying the bat include Damien Martyn who scored an unbeaten 116 against New Zealand in Auckland to take his team to 191.

Alec Stewart scored an unbeaten century against West Indies in July 2002 in Nottingham to help his team reach 192. Upul Tharanga also struck an unbeaten century while carrying his bat in an ODI against Pakistan in October 2017. The Sri Lankan batsman remained unbeaten on 112. Despite his efforts, Sri Lanka could manage just 187 runs and lost the match by 32 runs.

Other players on the list to have contributed handsomely while carrying the bat are Grant Flower from Zimbabwe who scored an unbeaten 84, Azhar Ali from Pakistan who scored an unbeaten 81 and Tom Latham from New Zealand who scored an unbeaten 79.