Top 5 highest individual scores in Day/Night matches in test cricket

Only three players have scored a double hundred in Day/Night matches in test cricket.

The concept of a day/night matches in test cricket was introduced in 2015 with the aim of attracting larger crowds in the stadium and on television. One major difference between the conventional test match and the day/night test is the use of a pink ball in the latter for better visibility.

The first-ever pink-ball test was played between Australia and New Zealand at the Adelaide Oval in 2015. The Aussies narrowly won that game by three wickets.

One distinguishing feature of the pink ball is its extra swing and seam movement, especially during the evening session, compared to the red ball.

However, despite these challenges, plenty of batsmen have showcased their grit to amass mammoth scores in these contests, In this article, we will take a look at the top five highest individual scores in day/night matches in test cricket.

Top five highest individual scores in Day/Night matches in test cricket:

5. Travis Head – 175 vs West Indies, 2022

One of the most impactful players in the world, Travis Head hammered the West Indies in the pink ball test in 2022. Playing at his home ground Adelaide Oval, Head counterattacked, smashing 175 off 209 balls.

Head’s innings helped Australia post 511 runs in the first innings. The hosts ultimately won the game by 409 runs and the southpaw was named Player of the Match.

4. Dimuth Karunaratne -196 vs Pakistan, 2017

Sri Lankan opener Dimuth Karunaratne created history against Pakistan in 2017 in Dubai by becoming the first Sri Lankan batter to score a century in a day/night test match.

Karunaratne’s marathon knock of 196 runs consisted of 19 boundaries and a six. Holding on one end, he propelled Sri Lanka to 482 runs in the first innings.

The Lankans defeated Pakistan by 68 runs and Karunaratne was named Player of the Match.

3. Alastair Cook – 243 vs West Indies, 2017

Regarded as one the greatest test openers of all time, Alastair Cook played a trademark match-winning knock against West Indies at Birmingham in 2017 in a day/night test match.

Cook scored 243 runs in 407 balls with the help of 33 boundaries. His innings helped England post a daunting total of 514 runs in their first innings.

England defeated the visitors comprehensively by an innings and 209 runs and Cook was named Player of the Match.

2. Azhar Ali – 302* vs West Indies, 2016

Azhar Ali’s historic knock in the pink-ball test against West Indies in 2016 saw him become the fourth Pakistani batsman to score triple century in test cricket. Notably, he was also the first ever batsman to hit a triple-century in day/night tests.

Azhar’s marathon knock of unbeaten 302 runs came in the first innings of the test. He creamed 23 boundaries and two sixes to guide Pakistan to 579.

Pakistan won the test by 56 runs and Ali was named Player of the Match.

1. David Warner – 335* vs Pakistan, 2019

Legendary Australian opener David Warner holds the record for the highest individual score in a day-night test match with his knock of 335 not out against Pakistan in 2019 at Adelaide.

Batting first on a good pitch in Adelaide, Warner hammered the Pakistani bowling lineup, scoring a triple-century at a strike rate of over 80.

Warner’s innings helped Australia defeat Pakistan by an innings and 48 runs. The opener was named Player of the Match for his historic knock.

(All stats are updated till 1st December 2024)

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