Hanif Mohammad - longest Test innings 970 minutes - 337 runs

By A.C. De Silva

LONGEST TEST INNINGS: Who played the longest Test Innings? According to available information, that Pakistan opening batsman Hanif Mohammad takes top berth. Hanif took 970 minutes to make 337 runs against the West Indies in the Bridgetown Test in the 1957-58 series. Hanif Mohammad - affectionately known as "Little Master" is acclaimed the World over during his playing days as one of the best opening batsmen. He was born on December 21 in 1934 in Junagadth in India and moved over to Pakistan when he was 12 years old and played for Pakistan. He started cricket at 8 years. He started as a wicket-keeper, but gave it up. He made his debut in first-class cricket when he played for Pakistan against touring M.C.C. in unofficial Test at Lahore in 1951-52.

He played for Pakistan in 55 Tests between 1952-53 and 1969-70 and averaged 43.98 with 12 hundreds. He batted the longest innings on record - 337 runs in 999 minutes for Pakistan against the West Indies.

The pocket-size Pakistani is only 5 feet 3 inches in height, but he got his bat do the talking. He holds cricket's endurance record - 337 runs in a Test against the West Indies in Barbados from January 20 to 23 in 1958.

Hanif tops Don's record

Hanif's 337 topped the late Sir Donald Bradman's Test highest of 334 in 6 hours 45 minutes in 1930, outlasted Sir Lon Hutton's longest innings of 364 in 13 hours and 20 minutes for England vs Australia in 1938. His innings was the longest innings in Test history and stood as the longest in all first-class matches for 16 hours at the crease. His triple century in the team's second innings is the only such incidence in Test matches.

He played for Pakistan in the inaugural Test against India in 1952-53 series at Delhi. He was 17 years and 300 days and he was the Youngest Test wicket-keeper.

Quit Test cricket on high note

He quit Test cricket on a high note. He made the marvellous score of 337 after they were forced to follow-on in that memorable 55th Test match against the West Indies in Bridgetown, Barbados. It was a record-shattering innings indeed that helped Pakistan to a draw after Pakistan were forced to follow-on after being shot out for 106 on the first innings after the West Indies made the somewhat huge first innings score of 579 for 9 wickets declared in the first innings.

When Pakistan were forced to follow-on 473 runs behind on the first innings, there was little hope for the Pakistan to survive in their second innings, but having Hanif Mohammad, he stood like a beacon and saw to it that the West Indies were not going to have their own way.

Hanif spent 16 hours 13 minutes at the wicket, easily beating the previous first class endurance record of Len Hutton during the Test against the Australians at the Oval in 1938.

Hanif's score failed by only 28 runs to beat Hutton's world Test Record of 364 against Australia in 1938, but it was one better than the second highest of 336 by England's Walter Hammond against New Zealand in Auckland in 1933.

Hanif's career record: Batting: 55 Tests, 97 innings, 8 not out, highest: 337, runs - 3,915 runs, average: 43.98, 12 hundreds, 15 fifties, 40 catches.

Bowling: 206 balls, 95 runs, 1 wkt, avg: 95.00, best bowling: 1 for 1.