Cricket is a game full of surprises. Sometimes, the top batters get out quickly. The team looks like it will lose. But then, the last pair comes to the crease. They are the final hope. When the last two players score lots of runs, it is very exciting. This is called the 10th wicket partnership.
The highest 10th wicket partnership in test cricket is a very special record. It shows that you should never give up. Here at 96 in, you will get to know about the players who made history with their amazing batting.
The Record Holders: Joe Root and James Anderson
The biggest partnership for the last wicket happened in 2014. It was a match between England and India. England was in trouble. They had lost 9 wickets and were behind by more than 100 runs.
Joe Root was the main batter. He was joined by James Anderson. Anderson is a bowler, not a batter. Most people thought he would get out fast. But Anderson had other plans. He stayed at the crease for a long time.
Together, Root and Anderson scored 198 runs. This is the world record. Joe Root scored a big century. Anderson scored 81 runs. The crowd cheered for every run. They helped England get a lead in the match. It was a day no cricket fan will forget.
The Debut Hero: Ashton Agar
Before Root and Anderson, there was another famous partnership. It happened in 2013. Australia was playing against England. A young player named Ashton Agar was playing his first Test match. He came in at number 11. This is usually the spot for the worst batter.
But Agar played like a hero. He batted with Phil Hughes. Agar hit the ball all over the park. He scored 98 runs. He was so close to a century! He broke the record for the most runs by a number 11 batter.
Agar and Hughes made 163 runs together. They showed that even a new player can change the game. It was a very brave effort.
Other Famous Partnerships
There are other big scores for the last wicket too.
- Brian Hastings and Richard Collinge (151 runs): This happened in 1973. New Zealand was playing Pakistan. They fought hard and added 151 runs to the total.
- Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed (151 runs): In 1997, these two Pakistan players also scored 151 runs against South Africa. They matched the New Zealand record.
- Tino Best and Denesh Ramdin (143 runs): In 2012, Tino Best from the West Indies played a fun innings. He scored 96 in a very fast time. He hit many sixes and fours. It was very entertaining to watch.
Why Do We Love the Last Wicket?
Fans love the 10th wicket partnership because it is unexpected. The bowling team thinks they have won. They relax a little bit. Then, the tailenders (the bowlers who bat) start scoring. The frustration grows for the fielding team. The batting team starts to hope again.
These moments change the mood of the match. A boring game can become a thriller. It proves that every player in the team is important. Even the last player can be a hero.
Top 10 Highest 10th Wicket Partnerships in Test Cricket
| Rank | Partners (Country) | Runs | Against | Venue | Year |
| 1 | Joe Root & James Anderson (England) | 198 | India | Nottingham | 2014 |
| 2 | Phil Hughes & Ashton Agar (Australia) | 163 | England | Nottingham | 2013 |
| 3 | Brian Hastings & Richard Collinge (New Zealand) | 151 | Pakistan | Auckland | 1973 |
| 4 | Azhar Mahmood & Mushtaq Ahmed (Pakistan) | 151 | South Africa | Rawalpindi | 1997 |
| 5 | Tino Best & Denesh Ramdin (West Indies) | 143 | England | Birmingham | 2012 |
| 6 | Wasim Raja & Wasim Bari (Pakistan) | 133 | West Indies | Bridgetown | 1977 |
| 7 | Sachin Tendulkar & Zaheer Khan (India) | 133 | Bangladesh | Dhaka | 2004 |
| 8 | Tip Foster & Wilfred Rhodes (England) | 130 | Australia | Sydney | 1903 |
| 9 | Ken Higgs & John Snow (England) | 128 | West Indies | The Oval | 1966 |
| 10 | Johnny Taylor & Arthur Mailey (Australia) | 127 | England | Sydney | 1924 |
The highest 10th wicket partnership in test cricket is more than just numbers. It is a story of fighting back. Joe Root and James Anderson showed great skill. Ashton Agar showed great courage. Tino Best showed great power.
