10 Supreme Examples of Captain's Innings in Test Cricket

Captains play an integral part in Test cricket. The way they manoeuvre the field, lead from the front and make decisions about when is best to declare is the foundation on which matches are won or lost.

When a captain plays an immense knock that digs their team out of a hole, praise is heaped on them and rightly so. On the anniversary of Peter May’s legendary unbeaten 285 against West Indies back in 1957, we take a look at some of the other fine examples of captain's innings in Test cricket.

The main criterion for selection was that the end result was a win for the captain’s team. There are, however, a few exceptions. Add your favourites in the comments section.

10. Graeme Smith Bats with a Broken Hand in 2009

Graeme Smith played some immense innings for South Africa during his time as captain, most notably against England.

In 2009, he went out to bat with a broken hand when South Africa played Australia in a three-match Test series. Peter English of ESPN Cricinfo called him “the bravest man in world cricket."

Smith walked out in an attempt to survive a touch over eight overs and help South Africa save the Test. He didn’t make it, lasting 17 balls in the end, but when it comes to supreme examples of a captain’s innings, this is right up there.

9. Wasim Akram, 257* vs. Zimbabwe, 1996

Zimbabwe managed a respectable 375 in their first innings after winning the toss and electing to bat in their first Test against Pakistan back in 1996.

Pakistan's reply started off fairly well, but none of the top order managed a big score and soon found themselves at 183-6. Wasim Akram, batting at eight, scored an unbeaten 257 to help push Pakistan to 553.

The match would eventually result in a draw, but considering Akram ended his Test career with an average of 22.64, it was quite an effort from the Pakistan skipper.

8. MS Dhoni, 224 vs. Australia, 2013

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Australia has an intense rivalry with most teams across the world. Having been one of the most dominant teams in world cricket for years, everyone wants to beat them.

In 2013, MS Dhoni helped set up a memorable win over Michael Clarke's men. Australia had batted first and managed to post 380. In their reply, India's openers failed before Che Pujara and Sachin Tendulkar steadied the ship. Then it was MS Dhoni's turn. An emphatic 224 off 265 balls helped India to a solid total of 572.

Australia could only post 241 in their second innings, and India ultimately claimed an eight-wicket win.

7. Greg Chappell, 123 & 109* vs. West Indies, 1975

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In his first Test as captain, Gerg Chappell delivered. Thanks to the twin centuries, Australia cruised to an easy eight-wicket win over the Windies.

Although West Indies were never really in the game, Chappell's dominance and the fact that this happened in his first game in charge gives these efforts prominence.

6. Brendon McCullum, 224 vs. India, 2014

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Brendon McCullum has established himself as one of the most exciting Test captains of the modern game. In 2014, his double century against India in Auckland helped his team to a 40-run win.

India's dubious away record aside, McCullum's 224 off 307 balls helped New Zealand set a first innings total of 503. Kane Williamson's 113 and Corey Anderson's 77 were the only two other scores of note in that first innings, and McCullum's knock set the foundation for a solid win.

5. Graeme Smith, 154* vs. England, 2008

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As mentioned earlier, Graeme Smith really loved playing against England.

Smith was a master of the fourth-innings chase. His most impressive came in 2008, when he helped South Africa to a five-wicket win at Edgbaston after they had looked in trouble at 93-4. England managed a modest 231 after batting first to which South Africa responded with a marginally better 314, 35 of those runs coming through leg byes—Smith managed just seven.

England's second innings was far more impressive, and they notched 363. South Africa were in search of their first Test series victory in England since the 1960s, and this was the perfect occasion for Smith. He stood firm at the top, hitting an unbeaten 154 that lasted over five hours to guide his side home.

4. Graham Gooch, 154* vs. West Indies, 1991

Against the fearsome bowling line-up of Curtly Ambrose, Malcolm Marshall and Courtney Walsh, Graham Gooch dug in on an uncomfortable pitch to score more than 60 per cent of England's runs in the second innings of this Test against West Indies.

Nobody managed more than 27 in that game, and Gooch became the first English opener to carry his bat in 17 years. The knock also helped England to their first win on on home soil against the Windies since 1969.

3. Peter May, 285* vs. West Indies, 1957

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This is the knock that inspired this feature, so it would be foolish to leave it out. Although the end result was a draw, Peter May's effort was outstanding.

England had stumbled to 186 all out in their first innings, and the Windies replied with 474. Early wickets in England's second innings seemed to suggest they might collapse once more, but May, batting at four, stayed at the crease alongside Colin Cowdrey for 10 hours to help England steady the ship.

The hosts posted 583 and made some early inroads when the West Indies came out to bat for their final dig, with the men from the Caribbean stuttering to 72-7.

2. Brian Lara, 153* vs. Australia, 1999

This Brian Lara knock is often referred to as the greatest chasing innings in Test cricket history.

Australia had taken charge of the match, notching up 490. The West Indies had stuttered to 98-6, but a partnership between Sherwin Campbell and Ridley Jacobs helped the hosts to fight back. When Australia came out to bat again, they only managed 146, meaning the Windies needed 308 to win.

Early wickets fell once again, but that's whern Lara came in. He helped the Windies to a thrilling one-wicket win, leading his side to one of the unlikeliest Tests wins of all time.

1. Don Bradman, 270 vs. England, 1937

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With Australia's new captain going for a duck in each of the first two Tests of the 1936/37 Ashes, legendary Aussie Don Bradman had something to prove. At 97-5, Australia were in a hole. Despite suffering from flu, Bradman walked out to the crease and managed to play one of the innings of his life.

A record stand of 346 with Jack Fingleton helped Australia secure a 365-run win and turned the tide of the series in their favour.