2. 95 runs by Tino Best for West Indies in June 2012
The third Test match of the three-match of The Wisden Trophy between West Indies and England was played at Edgbaston, Birmingham, England, between 7th June, 2012 an 11th June 2012. The hosts were 1-0 up in the series.
England, under the captaincy of Andrew Strauss, won the toss and elected to field.The English bowlers made a very great impact on the opposition and reduced them to a situation of 152 runs for the loss of 5 wickets. With the exception of Marlon Samuels (76 runs, 114 deliveries, 10*4, 1*6) no other batsman could withstand the onslaught.
Samuels along with the wicket-keeper, Danesh Ramdin, went on to register a 56-run partnership for the sixth wicket.With the departure of Samuels at the team score of 208/6, Ramdin only had the tail-enders to follow.
Given the impact of the English bowlers, the end of West Indies’ first innings was very much in sight. West Indies skipper, Darren Sami, Suneil Narine and Ravi Rampaul returned to the dressing room, faster than they had gone in to bat.
At 283/9, the batsman No 11, Tino Best, walked into the middle to give company to Ramdin who was doing the bulk of the scoring.
Tino and Ramdin stayed together to put up a very valuable partnership of 143 runs for the 10th wicket. This is the fifth best ‘last wicket’ partnerships in Tests.
West Indies finished their first innings at 426 runs. For England, Onions was the most successful bowler with a figure of 29.3-7-88-4, while Bresnan and Finn took 3 wickets each.
While Ramdin remained unbeaten on 107* runs made off 183 deliveries with 9 four, Tino registered a well made 95 runs in 138 minutes, facing 112 deliveries, aided by 14 fours and a solitary six. He also took 2 wickets in the England’s un-concluded innings.
This is Tino’s ‘Best’ individual score in 25 matches. His 95 runs was the highest individual score in a Test match by a No 11 batsman unless Ashton Agar broke the record by scoring 98 runs.
The first two days being lost on account of inclement weather the match was played over three days and hence remained inconclusive.
Since England were ahead 2-0, they won the series. Tino Best was adjudged the Player of the Match.
