Number 11 Batter in Cricket

Who Is the Number 11 Batter?

The number 11 batter is the last player in the batting order — the final wicket remaining. When they come in, nine wickets have already fallen. Every delivery they face could be the last of the innings. Number 11s are almost always specialist bowlers selected for their bowling ability rather than batting skill.

The Number 11's Tactical Importance

For the batting side, the number 11's primary role is often to support the other batter at the crease — surviving long enough for their partner to score. For the fielding side, dismissing the number 11 ends the innings — they direct specific bowling plans at the last batter to expose technical weaknesses.

Number 11 Under Pressure

• Team needs 5 more runs to win — number 11 must hit one boundary
• Team needs 1 run — number 11 must not get out and run the one
• Saving a follow-on — team needs 5 wickets while number 11 survives
• Last wicket partnership — number 11 and number 10 have added 60 runs together

Famous Number 11 Contributions

Mark Wood (England) scored a crucial 22 in a Test; Stuart Broad (England) scored 169 as a promoted nightwatchman/tail-ender. Most famously, Tino Best (West Indies) scored 95 when batting at number 11 — the highest score ever by a genuine number 11 batter in Test cricket.

'Cricket Bunny' or Not

A 'bunny' in cricket slang is a batter who almost never scores — always falling quickly. Not all number 11 batters are bunnies; some accumulate modest but useful scores over time. The best number 11s are those who can bat 20 minutes and score 10–15 runs when the match is on the line.