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In cricket, batters get the glory, bowlers get the applause, but tailenders? They often get dismissed as liabilities with the bat. But when all hope is lost, it’s these lower-order warriors who sometimes become unexpected saviors.
From last-wicket draws to match-winning partnerships, these are the stories where tailenders in cricket didn’t just hang in there—they rewrote history.
Here are the Top 10 Greatest Escapes and Comebacks in cricket where tailenders turned the impossible into the unforgettable.
1. Jimmy Anderson & Monty Panesar – England vs Australia, 2009 Ashes
- Date: July 2009
- Venue: Cardiff
- Partnership: 11* off 69 balls
England was down to their last wicket, and defeat seemed certain. Enter Jimmy Anderson and Monty Panesar. The duo batted out 11.3 overs against a relentless Aussie attack to save the Test.
Why it’s legendary:
Their resilience kept the Ashes alive for England.
Legacy moment: From “tailenders” to “heroes” in one afternoon.
2. VVS Laxman & Ishant Sharma – India vs Australia, Mohali 2010
- Date: October 2010
- Venue: Mohali
- Partnership: 81 for the 9th wicket
India was reeling at 124/8 chasing 216. Laxman was battling pain, and Ishant Sharma surprisingly held his ground. Together, they pulled off a miraculous win.
Why it’s epic:
Laxman’s wristy magic + Ishant’s grit = legendary chase.
Legacy moment: One of India’s greatest Test wins.
3. Kusal Perera & Vishwa Fernando – SL vs South Africa, Durban 2019
- Date: February 2019
- Venue: Kingsmead
- Partnership: 78* for the 10th wicket
Sri Lanka was chasing 304. Kusal Perera played the innings of his life, but it was No. 11 Vishwa Fernando who stood by him in a record-breaking last-wicket stand.
Why it’s heroic:
SL became the first Asian team to win a Test in SA.
Legacy moment: Perera 153*, but Fernando’s defense was golden.
4. Ben Stokes & Jack Leach – England vs Australia, Headingley 2019
- Date: August 2019
- Venue: Headingley
- Partnership: 76* for the last wicket
Chasing 359, England was 286/9. Stokes went berserk, and Jack Leach defended with steel nerves. Leach’s 1 run off 17 balls became iconic.
Why it’s historic:
Greatest Test chase in England’s history.
Legacy moment: The glasses-cleaning moment. Ashes drama at its best.
5. Michael Atherton & Jack Russell – England vs South Africa, Johannesburg 1995
- Date: November 1995
- Venue: Wanderers
- Partnership: Unbroken 81-run stand
England was fighting for survival. Atherton batted 10+ hours for 185,* while Russell faced 235 balls to secure a historic draw.
Why it’s monumental:
A masterclass in defense and determination.
Legacy moment: One of Test cricket’s finest rear-guard actions.
6. Babar Azam & Naseem Shah – Pakistan vs NZ, Karachi 2022
- Date: December 2022
- Venue: National Stadium
- Partnership: 42* for the 10th wicket
In a thrilling draw, Naseem Shah defended 20+ balls as Pakistan saved a Test that seemed lost. Babar Azam applauded his young teammate’s guts.
Why it’s recent history:
Tailenders like Naseem are redefining modern Test survival.
Legacy moment: Grit that earned standing ovations.
7. Courtney Walsh – WI vs Australia, Adelaide 1993
- Date: January 1993
- Venue: Adelaide Oval
- Partnership: 26-run stand with Lara
WI needed 1 wicket to win, and Walsh—known for being a terrible batter—defended a tense final over to help WI pull off a dramatic 1-run win.
Why it’s spine-chilling:
His survival turned him into a cult hero.
Legacy moment: Bowling legend becomes savior with the bat.
8. Craig White & Alex Tudor – England vs Pakistan, Karachi 2000
- Date: December 2000
- Venue: Karachi
- Partnership: 36* in the dark
In a fading light thriller, England chased 176 under gloom. The tailenders played aggressively to beat Pakistan just before bad light would’ve ended play.
Why it’s rare:
Winning a Test under near-darkness with tailenders? Unreal.
Legacy moment: Karachi Test’s ghostly final moments.
9. Glenn McGrath – Australia vs NZ, Brisbane 2004
- Date: November 2004
- Venue: Gabba
- Scored 61 runs
Glenn McGrath, known more for rabbits than runs, stunned everyone by scoring a career-best 61 and holding up one end with precision.
Why it’s fun:
A comedy act turned match-shaping stand.
Legacy moment: One of the most beloved tailenders in cricket.
10. Steve Smith & Pat Cummins – AUS vs India, Pune 2017
- Date: February 2017
- Venue: Pune
- Partnership: 49 runs
On a crumbling pitch, Cummins played like a top-order batter to give Australia a first-innings lead. India was stunned.
Why it mattered:
Proved that tailenders in cricket can hold off even the world’s best spinners.
Legacy moment: Set the tone for a famous Aussie series win.
Stats That Prove Tailenders Are Match-Savers
| Player | Avg Batting Position | Notable Save |
|---|---|---|
| Jimmy Anderson | No. 11 | 2009 vs AUS – Cardiff |
| Vishwa Fernando | No. 11 | 2019 vs SA – Durban |
| Jack Leach | No. 11 | 2019 vs AUS – Headingley |
| Ishant Sharma | No. 10 | 2010 vs AUS – Mohali |
| Naseem Shah | No. 11 | 2022 vs NZ – Karachi |
What Makes a Tailender Special?
- Mental toughness over technique
- Time management – knowing when to block, when to leave
- Communication – staying in sync with top-order partner
- Courage – standing tall against pace and spin
They may lack flair, but they make up with fight.
Tailenders in cricket are often written off — until they defy the odds. When the scoreboard says it’s over, it’s the No. 10s and No. 11s who show us what fight really means. These players have carved their names into the game’s greatest stories — not with sixes, but with survival.
So next time a tailender walks in, don’t switch off. The best drama might just be about to begin.
FAQ – Tailenders in Cricket
Who is the best tailender in cricket history?
Jimmy Anderson and Nathan Lyon are legends with the bat at No. 10 or 11 due to their survival instincts.
Can tailenders win matches?
Yes. Many matches have been won or saved by tailender partnerships, like Stokes-Leach in 2019.
Do teams train tailenders in batting?
Modern teams emphasize batting practice for bowlers, especially in Tests.
