The Art of Saving a Cricket Match: When Draw is a Victory
In Test cricket, batting out a draw against all odds is one of the most demanding skills. Explore the tactical, technical and psychological techniques teams use to avoid defeat.
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest innings in terms of time played to save a match?
Mike Atherton's 11 hours and 45 minutes (643 minutes) against South Africa at Johannesburg in 1995-96, scoring 185 not out, is one of the most celebrated match-saving innings. He faced 492 balls against an attack that included Allan Donald and Shaun Pollock on a pitch offering turn and bounce, protecting his team for an entire day-and-a-half to secure the draw.
Can the tail genuinely bat long enough to save a match?
Yes — and it happens regularly. In 2019, England's Jack Leach (1 not out) partnered Ben Stokes (135 not out) to win at Headingley, but the reverse (tail-enders saving a match) has many examples. The lower-order partnership does not need to score many runs — it needs only to survive enough deliveries. Tail-enders who can leave the ball well and play defensively are infinitely more valuable in a rearguard than in normal match conditions.