Test cricket is the longest and most demanding format of the game. It truly challenges a player’s endurance, skills, and mental strength, requiring them to adapt to various conditions and display resilience over long periods. This format tests not just a player’s technical abilities but also their temperament, patience, and commitment to the team’s success.
Scoring a Test century is a remarkable achievement in the world of cricket. It requires immense concentration, technical proficiency, and the ability to sustain focus over long periods. A Test century showcases a player’s mental toughness, as they must bat for hours, adapting to changing conditions, different bowlers, and pressure. It often becomes a defining moment in a player’s career, symbolizing their skill, discipline, and resilience.
Here’s a list of 5 players who were dropped after scoring a Test century:
1: Karun Nair (303* vs England, 2016)
Following the footsteps of legendary batter Virender Sehwag, Karun Nair became the second Indian batter to reach a score of 300 runs in Test cricket. The right-handed batter played an astonishing knock of 303* in 381 balls, marking a moment of history in Chennai. His amazing knock helped India clinch a Test victory with an innings and 75 runs.
Following his poor starts in the upcoming Tests against Australia, the batter was dropped from the team. Despite his past contributions, his recent form had raised concerns over his consistency. The decision was made after careful consideration, with the team management opting for a fresh approach to strengthen the batting lineup.
2: Geoffrey Boycott (246 vs India, 1967)
One of the finest English batter Geoffrey Boycott, who was an influential player for the English cricket team in his ear, played a wonderful knock against India in 1967. The cricketer played a fabolus knock of 246 runs from 555 balls during the tour of India. The fans and media criticized him for his low scoring rate against a weak bowling lineup of India.
This backlash forced the management and selectors to drop him out of the playing XI.
3: Jason Gillespie (201* vs Bangladesh, 2006)
Australian bowler Jason Gillespie surprised everyone with his iconic knock of 201* against Bangladesh in his 2009 tour. He served as a perfect support bowler for Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee in the Australian bowling attack. The tall fast bowler also took 8 wickets in that Test match, conceding only 11 runs.
After such an extraordinary performance, the fast bowler was dropped from the Ashes tour, which was supposed to happen late that year.
4: Shaun Marsh (182 vs West Indies, 2015)
The left-arm Australian batter Shaun Marsh has been a part of various omissions from the Australian Test squad since his debut in 2011. He was dropped from Australia’s Test squad despite scoring 182 runs against the West Indies in Hobart. The decision came as Usman Khawaja returned from injury, prompting the selectors to focus on maintaining continuity in the opening partnership between Joe Burns and David Warner.
His story highlights the highly competitive nature of international cricket, where maintaining form and consistency is essential for securing a place in the playing XI. Even after a standout performance, players must continue to prove their worth, as selectors often make decisions based on both short-term form and long-term stability.
5: Kevin Pietersen (149 vs South Africa, 2012)
English batter Kevin Pietersen, despite scoring a crucial 149 runs against South Africa in 2012, was dropped for the next Test at Lord’s. This decision stemmed from a fallout with the England management, following allegations that he had sent derogatory messages about teammates to South African cricketers.
This incident demonstrated that off-field issues could overshadow on-field performances, leading to his exclusion from the team.
