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Akash Deep Smashes Maiden Test Fifty! List Of Highest Scores By Nightwatchman

Aashay Chopade

Akash Deep scored his maiden ffity (Source: AP Photos)Akash Deep scored his maiden ffity (Source: AP Photos)

Akash Deep turned out to be a match-winner for India with his 10-fer on a flat deck at Edgbaston. He has not been able to replicate that magic with the ball since, but now in the second innings of the Oval Test, the cricketer has delivered with the bat.

Akash Deep Frustrates England With Fifty As Nightwatchman

The Bihar lad walked out to bat at number 4 as a Nightwatchman during the fag end of Day 2 and did his job to perfection by not giving away his wicket. It was expected that he would be dismissed quickly on the morning of Day 3, but he has shown great technique and temperament to notch up his fifty in just 69 balls.

In the process, Akash Deep has joined the elite list of nightwatchmen who have scored fifty in Test cricket. He is now the first Indian to score a fifty as Nightwatchman since Amit Mishra's 84 at the same venue in 2011. Akash Deep looked determined to score a century as well, but eventually perished at a score of 66.

Australian Great At Top Of Elite Nightwatchman List

However, he is now among the elite list of Nightwatchmen who have scored a half-century in Test cricket, while only six Nightwatchmen have crossed the century mark in the longest format, according to the ESPNCricinfo list. Jason Gillespie is at the top with his double century against Bangladesh in 2006. The second and third highest scores have been scored by Mark Boucher, who, despite being an accomplished wicketkeeper batter, walked out as nightwatchman against Zimbabwe and England in the year 1999.

Tony Mann, the Australian all-rounder, also has a century to his name. He scored 105 against India in the 1977 Perth Test while India's Syed Kirmani and Pakistan's Nasim-ul-Ghani have scores of 101 as nightwatchmen according to ESPNCricinfo.

Highest scores By Nightwatchman In Test Cricket

  • Jason Gillespie - 201* vs Bangladesh - 2006
  • Mark Boucher - 125 vs Zimbabwe -1999
  • Mark Boucher - 108 vs England - 1999
  • Tony Mann - 105 vs India - 1977
  • Syed Kirmani 101* vs Australia - 1979

Thus, there are some Nightwatchmen who have delivered unexpected results for their side, and Akash Deep's 66 is also likely to be remembered for a long time. The pitch is difficult to bat on, and runs from his bat could make a big difference to the final result of the game.