Crease in Cricket: Test cricket is the conventional format played in most cricket-playing regions. It’s the longest cricket format, featuring 5-day matches. Slow-paced action tests players’ stamina, spirit, and abilities. Batsmen play more deliberately in this style to maximize runs without losing wickets, and they can sometimes hold their position for several hours. Let’s look at the top 5 players with the most crease time in a Test inning.
Here’s the list of Test cricket players with the most crease time in an innings
1. Hanif Mohammad – 970 Minutes
Hanif Mohammad is considered “the first Little Master” Hanif made his Pakistan men’s cricket debut against India at Arun Jaitley Stadium on Oct. 16, 1952. He scored 3915 runs in 55 Tests for Pakistan, averaging 43.5. Hanif Mohammad has the greatest time on the crease in a Test inning.
This happened on January 17, 1985, in Bridgetown, West Indies. His raw talent and endurance stunned cricket fans across the world. He batted for 970 minutes straight with his teammates’ help. They refused to give up his wicket like an anchor. He scored 337 runs with 24 4s. Helping his team win against all odds. His 337-run knock is his highest Test score.
2. Gary Kirsten – 878 Minutes
Garry Kirsten is the second longest-serving batsman in Test cricket. South Africa’s Kristen played 100 Test and ODI matches. On December 26, 1993, he made his Test debut in Australia. One of his excellent innings demonstrates his concentration and dedication to the sport.
Kirsten’s longest innings was against England in Durban on December 26, 1999. South Africa’s success that day was against all odds, therefore they dispatched Kirsten to strike. As Kirsten struck, the English bowlers couldn’t take his wicket. He batted for 878 minutes, the second-most in Test cricket, and scored 275 runs with 26 boundaries. This 275-run haul is his career-high, and he scored 7289 runs in 101 Tests.
3. Alastair Cook – 836 Minutes
Sir Alastair Cook was England’s left-handed batsman. Cook made his Test debut against India on March 1, 2006, at the VCA Ground. In 161 Tests, he scored 12,472 runs and 33 hundred. One of his innings is golden in English and world cricket. Alastair Cook has the third-most time on the crease in a Test inning. On October 13, 2015, England played Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan batted first and scored 523 runs; England needed a miracle to win. Cook brought it as he batted and scored runs without being out. His 263 runs seemed like an eternity to the Pakistani player. Cook’s 263-run strike in 836 minutes on the crease remains a record.
4. Sanath Jayasuriya – 799 Minutes
Sanath Jayasuriya is a great Sri Lankan left-handed batsman and batting all-rounder. His Test debut was against New Zealand at Seddon Park on February 22, 1991. 110 Test matches, 6973 runs, 98 wickets. His performance deserves acclaim. On August 2, 1997, Sri Lanka played India at Colombo (PRS).
Sanath Jayasuriya started scoring after India’s 538-run first innings. He scored 340 runs, and his 576-run partnership with Roshan Mahanama is the second-best in Test cricket. Jayasuriya batted for 799 minutes, fourth-most in Test cricket. The match was however deemed a draw but it did provide the world of cricket with plenty of moments and milestones to treasure.
5. Len Hutton – 797 Minutes
Sir Leonard Hutton debuted for England against New Zealand at Lords on June 26, 1937. He played 70 Tests and scored 6971 runs with 19 centuries, a 56.22 average, and a 364-run best. His most stunning strike came on August 20, 1938, against Australia at The Oval. England won the toss and batted first, amassing runs without losing wickets.
They scored 903 runs in three days, torturing the Australian fielders. Hutton was 22 when he made his imprint on cricket. He and Leyland scored runs day after day. Hutton scored 364 runs in 797 minutes and hit 35 boundaries. He’s now the fifth-longest-serving batsman in Test cricket.
| Sl. No | Player Name | Team | Opposition | Date | Time Spent on the Crease (in minutes) |
| 1 | Hanif Mohammad | Pakistan | West Indies | 17-01-1958 | 970 |
| 2 | Garry Kirsten | South Africa | England | 26-12-1999 | 878 |
| 3 | Alastair Cook | England | Pakistan | 13-10-2015 | 836 |
| 4 | Sanath Jayasuriya | Sri Lanka | India | 02-08-1997 | 799 |
| 5 | Len Hutton | England | Australia | 20-08-1938 | 797 |
Click Here for IPLT20 Records: IPL T20 RECORDS Click Here for Official T20 World Cup Site: News on T20 World Cup